MANILA, Philippines - Bagumbayan standard bearer, Senator Richard Gordon urged the COMELEC to crack down on candidates who violate campaign rules.
In an interview over ANC's Headstart on Monday, Gordon alleged both Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar and Liberal Party's Noynoy Aquino have exceeded the limit on campaign spending.
"It's about time that the Comelec cracked the whip and it's never cracked the whip in the history of this country. And if [Comelec] chairman [Jose] Melo is going to show character here, you know Mr. Villar has been spending money since last year in violation of law... you know you realize what exactly was the intention of the law when there should be limitations in the expenditures."
But the senator admitted his call on the COMELEC might not bear fruit.
The senator also criticized his rivals, adding that none of them are qualified to become president.
Gordon blamed Lakas-Kampi-CMD's Gilberto Teodoro for the deaths of soldiers during the Red Cross hostage crisis.
"During the height of the crisis, pinapakiusapan ko sya. Makukuha na namin yung hostages, pinapaatras namin sila, sandali lang para makuha namin yung hostages. Tignan mo, namatayan na kayo ng pitong sundalo... so sabi ko, pabayaan nyo makalabas yan, ayaw. Kaya ako umiyak, kaya sabi ko, it will be blood on the hands of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo," he said.
(During the height of the crisis, I made a request to him. We were going to get the hostages, we asked them to withdraw only for a while so we can get the hostages. Look, seven of your men already died... I said let them come out, he refused. That’s why I cried, I said it will be blood on the hands of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.)
The senator also belittled Aquino's campaign promise to end corruption. Gordon said Aquino's parents and other relatives were in public service for years but they failed to curb corruption in government.
"Sabi ni Noynoy, pagka walang corruption, walang mahirap. Oh, really? President Cory Aquino... Senator Benigno Aquino, Senator Butz Aquino... Tessie Aquino Oreta... Peping Cojuangco, congressman... pagsamahin mo lahat yan, mga senador, so many congressman, so many governors, mayors, president... bakit may corruption pa? Answer the question!"
(Noynoy said when there is no corruption, there is no poor. Oh Really? President Cory Aquino... Senator Benigno Aquino, Senator Butz Aquino... Tessie Aquino Oreta... Peping Cojuangco, congressman... put them all together, senators, so many congressman, so many governors, mayors, president... Why is there corruption still? Answer the question!)
ABS-CBN, as well as other media outfits, were not spared from Gordon's criticisms.
The candidate said ABS-CBN should have pushed through with its presidential debates even if the two candidates leading in surveys, Aquino and Villar, backed out.
"I ask ABS-CBN right now: bakit ayaw nyo na magpa-debate? Sabi ni Villar at ni Noynoy, 'ayaw na namin ng debate' di na kayo magde-debate? In America, pag ayaw magdebate ng kandidato ibig sabihin may tinatago. It shows a huge color of bias," he said.
(I ask ABS-CBN right now: why won't you hold a debate? Just because Villar and Noynoy said 'we don't want a debate' you will no longer hold a debate? In America, if a candidate refuses to debate it means the candidate is hiding something. It shows a huge color of bias.)
Gordon also criticized the Filipino people for voting the same corrupt politicians every time there's an election.
He added that because of this, the country's development failed, enabling other countries in Asia to catch up.
Even the viewers of the program were not spared.
When asked about his reaction to a viewer who said he's a loose cannon and a falling star, Gordon said: "What have you ever done except criticize people like me? Have you picked up a piece of paper on the street? Have you reported crime? You're a talker not a doer, shut up!"