Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
A disappointed Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III berated the European Union (EU) again for meddling in Philippine affairs.
In a interview aired over AM radio dwIZ on Satuday, Pimentel said the EU was “micromanaging” the Philippines.
“Masyado naman tayong mina-micro manage ng mga Europeans,” he said. “Gusto nila sila pa magpatakbo sa atin. Gusto nila sila pa mag-implement ng ating laws against illegal drugs. Pati pa yung mga Department of Justice natin kung sino gustong file-an na terrorists, sila pa rin magdedecide.”
[The Europeans are micromanaging us too much. They want to be the ones to run our country. They even want to implement our laws against illegal drugs. Even with our Department of Justice, they want to decide which terrorists would be charged.]
“Masyado na po silang nanghihimasok. Medyo disappointed na ako sa kanila,” he added.
[They’re meddling too much. I’m a bit disappointed in them.]
The senator also questioned the knowledge of EU members about the Philippines.
“They are thousands of kilometers away,” he said. “Bakit ba ang gagaling nila? Bakit mas alam nila ang situation natin sa ground?”
[Why do they think they’re so good. Why do they thing they know more about our situation?]
On Friday, the Malacañang also slammed the European Parliament for its continuous attacks against the war on drugs campaign of the government.
“We, of course, find it unfortunate that members of the European Parliament once again interfered with the affairs of the Philippine state, rehashing issues and baseless claims that have been explained adequately by the Philippine government in several official statements,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
In its latest resolution, the EU noted the death of 12,000 individuals under the war on drugs in the Philippines. /atm