Duterte calls out Santiago for ‘incongruous’ rehab center statement

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte disembarks from the Philippine Airlines chartered flight upon his arrival at the Da Nang International Airport in Vietnam on November 8, 2017 for his participation in the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM). ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

A dismayed President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday admitted that he had been offended by the recent statement of former Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)  Chairman Dionisio Santiago on the establishment of the 100,000-square-meter Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija.

Santiago, who was appointed by the President himself, earlier said that the proposal to construct the rehabilitation facility was a “mistake and impractical.”

“The President was excited but money spent building that could have been spent for smaller community-based rehabilitation centers which could accommodate only 150 or 200,” Santiago said.

In response to the Santiago’s statement, Duterte said that the former chairman came up with a “very incongruous” statement and that giving such statement was not the right approach.

“He (Santiago) made a statement that it is a waste of money, that it is not a right approach. You know, you saw him in the previous administration. He was there. Why did he not do anything?” the President said .

“He came up with a very incongruous statement that I was offended. He could have asked me for an audience and tell me all about it,” he added.

The chief executive said that Santiago should have approached him first before going to the media.

“Kaya kita nilagay diyan not to issue statements to the press. Nilagay kita diyan para magpunta ka sa akin kung ano ang problema sa bayan natin at turuan mo ako kung nagkulang ako, kung ano ang dapat kong gawin [I appointed you there not to issue statements to the press. I put you there so you can tell me what the problem is and tell me my shortcomings, on what should I do] But you do not go open to the press and start to blabber,” Duterte stressed.

Santiago left his post after being told by Duterte to do so. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Santiago said that Duterte’s decision to let him go was “best,” adding that his “boss” is “always right.”