House trial spokesperson and impeachment adviser Robert “Ace” Barbers on Friday said Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent remarks about hiring assassins could damage the country’s image and weaken efforts to attract foreign investors and tourists.
Barbers made the statement after Duterte, during an interview at a rally in The Hague earlier this week, said a gunman could be hired to kill someone in the Philippines for P5,000.
Speaking to reporters, Barbers said he was surprised the Vice President made such remarks while the allegation of grave threats remains one of the issues being examined in her ongoing impeachment trial.
“Nagulat ako (I was surprised) coming from the Vice President sa panahon na nagkaroon ng paglitis sa kanyang (amid a trial into her) utterances of grave threats sa unang artikulo [ng impeachment],” Barbers said.
He added that Duterte’s statement appeared to acknowledge familiarity with hired killers and the cost of commissioning one, saying such remarks project a negative image of the country before the international community.
“It seemed she confirmed that there are gunmen she knew and she knows the price,” Barbers said.
Barbers also said the Vice President’s statements were inconsistent with the role expected of a government official while representing the country overseas.
“Kung ikaw ay nasa ibang bansa (If you’re abroad), you should be an ambassador of goodwill and dapat kinukuwento mo ano ang maganda dito kasi nag-eenganyo tayo ng mamumuhunan sa ating bansa, nag-eenganyo tayo ng mga turista (you must say good things here because we are encouraging investors to our country, we are enticing tourists),” he said.
According to Barbers, public officials traveling abroad should promote the country’s strengths and help build confidence among potential investors and visitors instead of making statements that could create negative perceptions.
Duterte’s alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez form part of the first article of impeachment currently being heard by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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