Issue as SBMA Chair alleged by Pres. Duterte

President Rodrigo Duterte threatened anew to ask the Ombudsman to step into the issue of Gordon who allegedly failed to return around PHP 86 million in public funds when he was still the SBMA Chair. Duterte said Gordon could be slapped with a malversation case for not returning the PHP 86 million in disallowed expenses.

October

2021

Duterte accuses Gordon of using Red Cross to fund his election campaigns

President Rodrigo Duterte went for the jugular in his rant about Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday night, September 2, accusing the lawmaker of using his position at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to finance his electoral campaigns. Duterte presented no concrete evidence to back up his claims. He only pointed to an alleged plan of Red Cross to charge P3,500 for COVID-19 vaccines and profit by P1,000 from each jab.

September

2021

Issue of Conflict of Interest with Philippine Red Cross ? PhilHealth mass-testing deal

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, entered into a contract deemed disadvantageous to the government, following the advance payment of P100 million for PRC's COVID-19 tests. While PRC is pivotal in mass testing, several laws clearly prohibit advance payments. They mandate reimbursement for the protection of public funds ? meaning, the party has to incur costs and render services first before it is paid back. The deal also raised the issue of conflict of interest, as Gordon is a sitting senator and is the chair of the blue ribbon committee that investigated PhilHealth of interest, as Gordon is a sitting senator and is the chair of the blue ribbon committee that investigated PhilHealth.

September

2020

Gordon's Removal as SBMA Chairman

Gordon upon assuming office as SBMA Chairman for another term on June 30, 1998, then President Joseph Ejercito Estrada issued Administrative Order No. 1, "recalling, withdrawing, and canceling the appointment of Richard J. Gordon as Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for a term of six (6) years, dated February 10, 1998, by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

July

1998

Alam mo sasabihin ko na sayo, may EJK talaga.

March

2021

Pinalalabas ni Senator de Lima na state-sponsored pero in the face of it, wala akong nakikita.

October

2016

God didn`t make other man, Steve -Statement on whether he is in favor of same-sex marriage

April

2016

I really feel sorry that in this day and age, a major communication channel could be closed down due to the alleged franchise violations. It does not serve our country any good because it does not go well for Philippine freedom of information. It is a curtailment of press freedom. With ABS-CBN denied a new license, some 11,000 Filipinos, most of whom have families to feed, just lost their jobs. These workers will have a hard time finding new jobs, especially during this time when we are engaged in a war against a pandemic. In this time when we should all be in a wagon to fight COVID, why are we spending our time closing down a station? It is unfortunate for the people, not because ABS-CBN entertains, but because it is a major outlet of information. We should always stand for the truth and for what is right.

July

2020

Pero curious ako, bakit natin pag-uusapan yan ngayon? I mean, can you not disagree with the President? Hindi eto ang priority ayusin natin ang COVID (response), ang priority ayusin nating `yung stimulus package.

August

2020

Testing mabagal pa, naka 3.307 million test na ang Red Cross pero kulang pa yan dapat mas mabilis.

June

2021

The people can be seated on the bleachers, with people seated on the lower bleachers swabbed first, tapos pag natapos sila, bababa naman 'yung nasa susunod. The PRC has pulled out all the steps para makapag-test, kailangan mabilis tayo kasi testing is the key. We have to ensure victory over the virus.

May

2020

The Chinese government's coercive and destabilizing actions in the West Philippine sea and the South China sea are acts that belie its pronouncements of friendship and goodwill and affinity with the Filipino people. In my view, China as a major power, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and signatory to many treaties and international agreements and conventions, should set the example of responsible governance with policies and actions that adhere to its international commitments. Every country has a set of core interests, core values but these need not run counter to each other. Or if it should so happen, aggression or intimidation is not the solution as such would lead to bigger problems, as we have seen in history. There are mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes which can be availed of. In the South China sea, the Philippines and other country-claimants continue negotiations for a Code of Conduct acceptable to all parties. It is a challenging task but a peaceful path. I would urge our good neighbor, the Chinese government in particular, to adopt policies and actions that contribute to peace and stability in the region, and not create an impression of a bullying neighbour.

March

2021

When another country claims the oceans surrounding us, which we claim, even threatens to demolish our fishing boats or fishing boats of any country that get to that ocean or that sea, this is a serious cause for concern. This is a shot in the bow of all the claimants in the territories.

January

2021

Bakit kayo gagawa ng ganyan? Are you really our friend? Tinutulak-tulak niyo kami? China doesn`t care. They`re arrogant. Nagugulat ako, ngayon ko lang nakita ang China na ganyan.

July

2019

Once again, it is very obvious that Pharmally executives Mohit and Twinkle Dargani were trying to abscond from any liabilities in the alleged anomalous deals they entered with the government in the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies. In the past few weeks, the Senate has been scouring possible hideouts of the Darganis after they were cited in contempt and ordered to be arrested for refusing to submit documents the Senate needed in its investigation.

November

2021

It is clear and categorical to us that this grand conspiracy could never have happened without the imprimatur of the executive from beginning to end. From meetings with Pharmally to the appointments of selected people who are extremely (loyal) to him (President Rodrigo Duterte) is the basis for the appointment and not competence.

October

2021

Your Senate is more than determined to get the bottom of this anomaly. The Filipino people have long suffered during this pandemic, and the government owes them an explanation where the public funds for COVID-19 response went.

October

2021

Kung may agenda ang organizers ng community pantries, tutumba ang gobyerno dahil nagbibigay sila? O napapahiya ang gobyerno dahil kulang ang ginagawa nila?

April

2021

Helping our people is natural to us and there are plenty of other things we can focus on. General Parlade should go back to the military instead of concentrating on harassing our people with red-tagging accusations.

April

2021

I am cautiously optimistic that the bilateral meeting would result in the stopping of the unwelcome activities in the WPS by the Chinese naval assets. We are a friendly people but we don't want to be threatened especially our hardworking fisherfolk.

May

2021

"We heed our business leaders' call to pursue our investigation and exact accountability from those individuals responsible for the irregularities that marred the purchases of Covid-19-related medical supplies and equipment. More people, organizations, and sectors have sent us statements of support, and we are relentless in finding out the truth on how public funds were used and who profited from these pandemic contracts.

October

2021

We are not okay. We must not wait for the (hospitals) to declare full capacity. We need to expedite vaccination and test enough people. The vaccines arrived in the country late, so we need to vaccinate (health workers) double time. The country's future depends on the people, if they would follow health protocols.

March

2021

The experience of the Philippines when it comes to devastating typhoons is not unique. What's worrisome is that we would be well-advised to expect more typhoons and more victims in the future. This is because of the reality of climate change. What happened to the Philippines in 2006 and what Myanmar recently experienced are examples of climate change. The weather simply has become more destructive and more unpredictable. This is because our planet is not the same as a century ago. Since we humans have been using fossil fuels very heavily-for our cars, for our electrity-the pollution and other gasses released by the burning of these fossil fuels have raised our planet's temperature. This is because these gasses, known as "greenhouse gasses" create a barrier in our atmosphere. The sunlight enters our atmosphere, bringing us life-giving heat and light. Ideally, that same heat should be able to escape back out of our planet. This would keep the planet at a cooler, ideal temperature. The phenomenon is like what happens when you enter your car after it had been parked out in the sun for some time. You notice that the car's interiors are very hot. The car's interiors are very hot because the sunlight's heat that entered through the car windows and windshields have become trapped inside. Instinctively, we keep our car doors open after getting inside, or roll down the windows. Unfortunately, the planet can't release the heat already trapped inside. At least, science still has not found a way to do that. This heat that remains trapped in the planet wrecks our weather patterns. The result? Killer floods and typhoons, tornadoes and heat waves. Sea levels are also rising, because the polar ice caps are melting.

May

2008

I am chagrined by the massive vote buying by a suspected narcopolitician and his corrupt cohorts in my hometown. Narcopolitics has arrived in Olongapo City and we are going to cut off its head. It is very clear that the money [to buy votes] come.

May

2019

We have to raise the penalty for mining violations. The fines provided for in Presidential Decree 1586 have to be updated because the maximum penalty of P50,000 (and in some instances, a paltry P25,000) is not realistic anymore. This is why I am also proposing that the violator be made to shoulder the full cost of the rehabilitation, reparation or restoration of the damage caused by their violation.

January

2018

Manila Bay beautification not now! Use money to fight COVID and hunger! Dolomite project for Manila Bay is not needed right now and is sheer bad judgement. Crass, totally insensitive to the plight of our people.

April

2021

Dapat may political party system na talagang titiyaniin kung talagang sino ang ilalagay, hindi yung kamag-anak system. Pangalawa, dapat, the more mature we are, the longer we have in terms of experience, dagdagan niyo 'yung term. Huwag namang three years kasi ang three years, walang nagagawa. Kaya naghahanda sila ng kapalit, hinahanda na ang anak, kapatid, tiyuhin. Minsan sila-sila na nag-aaway.

December

2021

It is important that we make sure that everyone is safe and that our people are protected from the virus before we go back to face-to-face classes. It would be best if we achieve a population or herd immunity first. Through an effective vaccination program, we will be able stop the spread of the virus and break the chain of transmission. According to a report, almost every adult resident of Serrana completed the two vaccine shots between February and April. The research team in charge of the experiment, based on the report, claimed that "the results were dramatic. Symptomatic cases of COVID-19 have dropped by 80% since the start of mass vaccination, related hospitalizations fell 86%, and deaths plummeted 95%. I think we can also do that here. We can try to do mass inoculation first in one province. If we see the efficacy of it, then we can continue doing that to other areas, especially the ones with the highest number of cases, until we got everybody vaccinated. Once we achieve full protection from COVID, that's the time we can send the students back to school. We can all work again, start to rebuild our economy and live normally once more.

June

2021

Before we could begin to debate on the manner by which we will amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, we must first address the question of whether or not there is a need to amend the constitution. We should tarry a little because the people should be front and center of making changes to the Charter because the Constitution is for the people. Are we empowering ourselves or are we empowering the people? Are we enabling ourselves or are we enabling the people?

January

2018

https://www.dickgordon.ph/news/press-releases/statement-of-senator-richard-j-gordon-on-the-proposed-charter-change

You cannot have federalism with the same old people. Magbago muna tayo ng pag-uugali natin, ng attitude natin.

April

2017

Sa contractualzation, kawawa ang tao. Walang benepisyo, walang job security. Marami sa kababayan natin ang nakakaranas ng endo. The government and businessmen should protect our people from unjust labor practices. We should prioritize their welfare above anything. Sa Senado, tuloy ang kampanya natin para wakasan ang endo sa pamamagitan ng pagpasa ng mga batas na magbibigay dagdag oportunidad sa tao. Isa sa mga bills na inaprubahan sa 3rd and final reading ay ang Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) of Central Luzon upang mas maparami pa ang trabaho at oportunidad sa bansa. Ito ay naglalayon na ilapit sa tao ang trabaho na malapit din sa kanilang tahanan. Wala ng mahabang oras ng byahe at traffic sa Metro Manila. Isa lamang ito sa marami pang batas na ating isinusuong upang umangat ang buhay ng Pilipino at mabigyan sila ng karampatang benepisyo at oportunidad.

October

2018

The ICC is intended to be court of last resort, when there is a failure of a national justice. However, our justice system works, our courts are functioning. The prosecution of the policemen who killed Kian delos Santos illustrates that our justice system works.

March

2019

Ako I think, it will violate the Constitution because nakalagay dun marriage is a social institution that the government should try and protect. But on the other hand, also, dapat makahanap tayo ng paraan na talagang bigyan sila ng pagkakataon na makapag divorce, pero hindi dapat madali. Pag nag-asawa ang tao dapat sikapin niyang mag-work. At kung talagang irreconcilable na talaga, nakakasama lalo na dun sa bata, then dapat limited? Meron na ngayon eh, annulment.

March

2018

The peace process is just like a marriage--we have to continue the dialogue, we have to continue trying to fix our shortcomings, we have to continue strengthening the peace. And peace is strengthened when you see it being beneficial to the public, if there is education, if there's economic development; if there's security, consistency and transparency in everything that will happen when the peace process starts.

August

2008

Let's be more cautious against fake news and clickbait headlines populating our social media pages, most of them are patently false or rehashed issues thrown at us. Trust only those news stories from reputable mainstream media. Some unscrupulous people and groups are really out to discredit and demolish us. These kinds of online stories will continue to bombard us as election campaign will be highly partisan and will rely heavily on social media for information.

October

2021

We are seriously investigating the barrage of disinformation, fake news and patently false or rehashed stories being spread online to attack us, especially those among pro-administration pages. This includes clickbait headlines that deliberately and unscrupulously poison our minds with misleading and inaccurate information in order to muddle and deflect our attention from the corruption issues under this administration.

October

2021

I'm encouraged to seek that more and more young people are getting interested in politics. Like them, I have high hopes to be part of the change we want for our country and our people, especially among those marginalized. Today, as our country is mired in a deep political divide, the youth play a very important role and contribution in shaping the political discourse. We need to listen more to the concerns and issues of our young people.

December

2021

Gordon on role of Filipino youth in the 2022 elections