MANILA (UPDATE)—President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday berated Antonio Carpio, calling the Supreme Court Associate Justice “so stupid” for saying Chinese fishermen are not allowed to exhaust the Philippines’ resources in its exclusive economic zone.
“Sabi ko nga, ‘Alam mo, Justice Carpio, napaka-estupido mo.’ That is why hanggang diyan ka lang talaga. He’s from Davao. Basta noon pa, hindi ako bilib diyan buang na ’yan,” Duterte said in a speech during the 122nd anniversary of the Presidential Security Group at Malacañang.
(I told Justice Carpio, “You’re so stupid.” That’s why you’ll never be more than what you are now. I have never been impressed with that lunatic.)
“Wala, wala . . . walang ka-rhyme o reason,” the President added.
Asked to react to Duterte’s remarks, Carpio said in a text message to ABS-CBN News: “Not worth a comment.”
Carpio, a staunch advocate of Manila’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, is the most senior member of the Supreme Court.
He has been a vocal critic of Chinese activities in the said water and has vowed to continue his advocacy even after he retires in October.