President Rodrigo Duterte on early Wednesday likened his top critic, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, to his former ally Sen. Manny Pacquiao -- saying both men "want to hold power."
The President made the remark in light of Trillanes' recent allegations of corruption involving Duterte and his former aide, Sen. Bong Go over public works projects in Davao.
"Si Trillanes pareha ni Pacquiao ‘yan. They want to, you know, hold power because they must have---may nakita siguro silang magandang oportunidad nila para sa kanila," Duterte said in a midnight briefing.
Both Pacquiao and Trillanes have been linked to possible 2022 presidential bids. The former senator said he was willing to step aside should Vice President Leni Robredo run.
Duterte tasked his chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo to respond to Trillanes' allegations.
"Well, I leave Trillanes to you. Ikaw na ang bahala sa kanya kung anuhin mo ‘yan. Eh daldal nang daldal ‘yan eh hindi naman lumaban ng debate ‘yan," the President said.
Malacañang earlier challenged Trillanes to file charges over his allegations of corruption. Go also issued the same dare.
Pacquiao, who is gearing up for a boxing match in the United States, has figured in a word war with the President over corruption in the government. They both hold leadership positions in the PDP-Laban party.
Over the weekend, Pacquiao claimed some P10.4 billion missing funds for the pandemic cash aid program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has denied the senator's allegations.
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