Think before you speak, bets urged

Sen. Win Gatchalian —Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday reminded the country’s political leaders to be more circumspect in issuing statements and to lead the way in ensuring that the local and national elections in May will be free from any kind of violence. “At this present time of elections, we should always hope and pray for a safe, peaceful and nonviolent elections,” Gatchalian told the Inquirer in reaction to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that 15 senators should be “killed” to help his chosen candidates win Senate seats. He said making incendiary remarks to foment political hostilities would not do the country any good. Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is mounting a return to the Senate under the administration ticket, just shrugged off Duterte’s threat: “I’m not taking it seriously. [It’s] purely rhetorics,” Sotto said. “When you start to go personal or call names, you have lost the debate.” —MARLON RAMOS