By Genalyn Kabiling

Not all current senators deserve a seat in the Senate.

According to President Duterte, there were “a lot” of senators who should not be in power for reasons including their lack of intellect and penchant for endless criticisms.

He took a swipe at some senators even as he rallied support for his senatorial candidates during the PDP-Laban campaign rally in Marikina City Wednesday night.

“Diyan sa Senado, I could only — kasi focused tayo sa Senate eh [In the Senate, I could only, because we’re focused on the Senate] there are a lot of those there who should not be there,” Duterte said.

“Ang personality, then he was supported by — walang ginawa except to criticize para lang masabi nila mas marunong sila at may alam sila [His personality is, he was supported by — doing nothing except to criticize just to say they are better and more knowledgeable],” he added.

Duterte also expressed dismay with a lady senator who was supposedly a dull-witted and noisy critic.

“There is one lady who is eternally sarcastic. Wala namang utak [She has no brain],” he said, without identifying the person.

“Every time she talks, she does not consult a lawyer, she commits blunder all the way. Parang nagmakamarunong na aktibista na wala namang laman at walang ginawa. Iyong mga ganun, maingay [Like an activist claiming to be smart but has done nothing. Like those people, they’re noisy],” he added.

Reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV were later identified by the President during his tirade against alleged inept public servants.

“Bam Aquino, except for the namesake sa surname, anong…? Sige lang presscon,” Duterte said.

On Trillanes, he said the former rebel soldier tried to appear “smart aleck” but was supposedly a coward when he surrendered to authorities after launching a mutiny.

“P***** i** mo, Trillanes. Kung talagang matapang ka, nagpakamatay ka doon pasigaw-sigaw. Ay nako. Tapos pumunta ka sa Peninsula, nagkain ka ng steak, nag-surrender ka. Anong klaseng sundalo ‘yan? [Son of a b*tch, Trillanes. If you’re really brave, you should have killed yourself. When you went to the Peninsula, you ate steak and surrendered. What kind of soldier are you?],” he said.

The President also made a pitch for his senatorial candidates with supposed integrity and competence worthy of the people’s vote.

Among the candidates present were re-electionist Senators Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, and Aquilino Pimentel III, former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino, and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan.

Duterte reminded voters that they get the leaders they deserve.

“Kaya pagka nandiyan ka, huwag kang magreklamo na p***** i** p* wala itong ginawa ang… Puro daldal. Eh inilagay ninyo eh. So ang politika mo, your dimension sa pagtingin mo sa bayan pati politics is you are who you elect [If they’re elected, don’t complain that this son of a b*tch has done nothing but talk. You elected them. Your dimension about the nation and politics is: you are who you elect],” he said.

“That’s the price that you have to pay. Marami naman kasi diyan, eh nagpapadala kayo [There are many who are more qualified but you allowed yourself to be swayed by others],” he added.