MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night warned that the Philippines would be in trouble if Vice President Leni Robredo became the president.

“Oh ma’am, if you are President of the Philippines, we’re dead. You do not even read the book and that is the major policy,” the President said.

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In two of his speeches in Malacañang on Tuesday night, the President slammed Robredo for supposedly not reading and understanding the law.

The President said he quoted from the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when he told policemen in Camp Crame in August that they may accept gifts of nominal value given to them by grateful citizens.

“I quoted the very words, antigraft and corrupt practices. There is an exemption there. Nominal. I use the word, nominal, out of gratitude. You know Filipinos are like that,” he said.

The President went on: “Then Leni says, ‘It’s illegal and unconstitutional.’”

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Robredo were among those who criticized him for his position.

The senator, in a tweet, warned that “Mr. President, insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft. It could be more addicting than drugs. There is no detox, nor is there rehab facility available for addiction to money.”

Vote recount finished

For her part, Robredo cited the Republic Act No. 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” in stressing that it is illegal for government employees to accept gifts, indirectly or indirectly.

As this developed, the Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has finished the recount of votes asked by former senator and losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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The report on the results of the revision and recount of votes cast in 5,415 precincts in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Oriental and Camarines Sur was submitted to the 15-member tribunal on Monday by Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, who was in charge of the electoral protest case.

Robredo narrowly beat Marcos by 263,473 votes in the May 2016 vice presidential elections.

If the report upheld the official results and Robredo’s victory, the PET may no longer continue the recount and dismiss Marcos’ protest.

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