Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon emphasized that there is no room for hyperbole or figures of speech when implementing policies, especially statements from the country’s highest leaders.
Speaking to reporters on February 28, Ridon, who is also a lawyer, stressed that words spoken publicly should not be taken lightly, particularly if they contain threats. He reminded government officials that their statements are heard and believed by both citizens and law enforcers, and should never be treated as a joke.
The remarks come amid the International Criminal Court (ICC) hearings involving former President Rodrigo Duterte, where the defense argued that some of Duterte’s controversial statements about killing drug addicts were merely hyperbolic and not literal orders.
