“How many times have we heard the adage that when the President is going after the investigators rather than the criminals, the President IS the criminal.”
By ROY MAGSILANG
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — A group of San Beda University graduates declared they are ashamed of their fellow alumnus Rodrigo Duterte for the president’s relentless defense of the highly-irregular purchase of medical supplies from Pharmally Corporation.
In a statement, the group Bangon Bedista asked if Duterte learned any of the values their school tried to teach its students, such as love for fellow humans, country and God.
“Graduate po kayo, Mr. President, ng San Beda pero hindi kayo naging Bedista,” the statement said. (You were a San Beda graduate, Mr. President, but you have never been a real Bedan.)
The declaration was signed by 51 of Duterte’s fellow alumni who were mostly leaders during their time at San Beda.
The group recalled that many applauded Duterte that his administration would not tolerate any “whiff of corruption in government,” a promise the President appears to break with his relentless defense of the controversial deal between Pharmally and the Department of Budget and Management.
“Worse, Mr. President, you have repeatedly threatened and insulted Senator (Richard) Gordon and other senators who are investigating the anomaly. Is this the kind of change you were talking about, charging whistleblowers and covering up for the corrupt,” the statement said in Filipino.
In his latest taped address, Duterte again tore at Gordon that now included threats at physical harm.
“’Pag inabot kita, sapakin ko ulo mo,” Duterte said counter-accusing the Senator of corruption himself.
“’Yung katawan mo? Isang wallop ka,” the President added. (With you physique, it just takes one punch.)
Duterte heaped more insults against the Senator, saying “’Yung kurbata mo, bumili ka ng medyo malaki..’Yang tiyan mo, nahuhulog na doon sa puson mo, p***ng i** ka!” the President said. (Buy a bigger tie. Your tummy already sags onto your crotch, you son of a b****!)
Aside from Duterte’s public meltdowns, Bangon Bedista also expressed dismay at Duterte’s order to have the Commission on Audit investigate the Philippine Red Cross, a private and humanitarian entity.
“How many times have we heard the adage that when the President is going after the investigators rather than the criminals, the President IS the criminal,” the group asked.
“Nakasusulasok ang alingasaw ng katiwalian! Kung hindi pa rin po ninyo maamoy ang ‘whiff of corruption’ dito, magpa-swab test na po kayo, Mr. President,” it added. (The stink of corruption is enough to turn the stomach! If you still can’t smell it, you need to have yourself swab-tested.)
Corruption is just one of Duterte’s misdeeds against Filipinos, the group said.
Other offenses include Duterte’s decision to have the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery); wanton extrajudicial killings against the poor and suspected drug personalities; dismissal of the Philippines’ victory over the West Philippine Sea; corruption at the Philhealth and other government agencies; and his administration’s failing Covid-19 pandemic governance that has placed the Philippines as among the countries with the worst response.
“Mr. President, a frank question: Where do you get such cheekiness to be proud of your foolery?…We are ashamed of you!” the group said. 
Amen and amen bedans