Duterte won't back down vs De Lima

'This is public interest, it's not mine to give'

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday that he will not stop until Senator Leila de Lima answers for her alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

"Hindi ako magkasundo kasi ang pinag-usapan namin, droga. Galit ako sa droga. 'Yung drayber niya, naglaro. 'Yung drayber niya, gumaganoon na rin, kaya hiwalay na siya," Duterte told reporters after his speech in Camp Siongco in Maguindanao.

(There will be no reconciliation because what we're talking about is drugs. I hate drugs. Her driver toyed with drugs. Her driver used drugs, that's why they've separated).

The President, who also accused De Lima of having had an illicit affair with her driver, believes he did not go overboard with his accusations.

"I did not (go overboard), but she did. Sige siya, pinagbibintangan niya 'yung mga pulis na ganoon, ganoon, ganoon. P*t*ng*na, namamatay na nga 'yung pulis, o. G*g* siya," Duterte said.

(I did not, but she did. She accuses cops of this and that. - expletive- this cop died, o. She's stupid.)

He also said he is confident about his evidence against De Lima, a former justice secretary and chair of the Commission on Human Rights.

"Bakit ako magsalita kung wala akong ebidensiya? Ano ako, parang sa kanya na g*g*?"

(Why would I speak up if I did not have evidence. What am I, am I like her, stupid?)

Duterte, likewise, dared reporters to investigate whether his allegations are true.

"Gusto niyong malaman ang totoo? Pumunta kayo sa justice department, pumunta kayo sa human rights, i-validate niyo. Tapos sabihin niyo na nagsisinungaling ako, balikan niyo ako," he said.

(You want to know the truth? Go to the justice department, go to human rights commission, have it validated. Then you come back and tell me if I'm lying.)

He further said it is up to the public to forgive De Lima, should his allegations be proven true.

"Hindi amin 'yang dalawa 'yan eh. That is public interest. That is not mine to give," Duterte said.

(This is not between De Lima and me. This is public interest. This is not mine to give.)

An emotional De Lima on Thursday shot back at Duterte for "abuse and misuse" of power by launching a personal attack against her after she questioned the spate of killings linked to his war on drugs.

De Lima also warned that her fate could befall "anyone who does not bow to the wishes of the President." -- report from Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News

READ: De Lima fires back at Duterte for 'abuse, misuse' of power