MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte made a controversial joke on Thursday about killing senators to create more vacancies for the senatorial candidates he is supporting.
Duterte made the remark during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial proclamation rally at Club Filipino in San Juan City.
“Now, there are many of them. What should we do? Let’s kill the senators to create vacancies,” Duterte said in Filipino, causing the audience to laugh. “If we can eliminate about 15 senators, we can all get in. But they would be pitiful. Though, some are irritating – not all of them. As for opportunities, the only way to do it is with a bomb,” he added.
PDP-Laban is fielding nine candidates for the Senate in the upcoming May midterm elections. They include:
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go
Musician and lawyer Jimmy Bondoc
Former Interior Undersecretary Jayvee Hinlo
Ex-presidential adviser for Northern Luzon Raul Lambino
Actor Philip Salvador
SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
Detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy
Former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez
