Press Release - Chiz calls for calm to de-escalate situation after outburst of VP Sara
Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero has appealed to all the parties involved in the events that led to the latest tirade of Vice President Sara Duterte to work on de-escalating the situation to "prevent further harm to the safety, health and well-being of everyone involved."
In a statement, the Senate President said he was "deeply concerned" with the latest outburst of the Vice President in public in connection with the detention of her chief of staff in the House of Representatives, without any regard for her position as the second highest official of the country.
"She should keep in mind that as a public official, she has a duty to set an example for the personnel in the Office of the Vice President and our fellow Filipinos, especially our children," Escudero said.
In yet another video that was shared to the public, Duterte engaged in a profanity-laced attack on the First Family and Speaker Martin Romualdez, in response to what she claimed as incessant harassment against her and her office.
Escudero said the Vice President and her allies "must consider how her actions have contributed to rising tensions."
"I urge those who are close to her--those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader--to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or our country," Escudero said.
"Our government has urgent and pressing concerns it must address--matters that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the Filipino people. It is imperative that we as public officials focus our energy and attention on resolving these issues," he added.
He lamented how in every similar episode involving the Vice President and her "erratic and troubling behavior" it serves as a needless distraction from attending to the urgent needs of the nation.
"If she is struggling, I sincerely hope she seeks and is provided with the help she may need so she can regain calm and composure, and properly discharge her duties as Vice President," Escudero said.
The Bicolano senator reminded all public officials to keep in mind that as public servants, "our actions should always be guided by