Palace: Words speak for themselves

Presidential Spokes person Edwin Lacierda  INQUIRER PHOTO/ JOAN BONDOC

Tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s “words speak for themselves,” according to Malacañang.

Expressing surprise over the expletive spewed by Duterte against Pope Francis, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday asked Malacañang reporters to “check his own words.”

“I was certainly surprised. There’s a difference when you say ‘P.I.’ and when you say ‘P.I. mo,’” Lacierda said.

According to Lacierda, Duterte had claimed, “I never said it.”

“Check his words, it’s in the transcript. Every (radio) station recorded his transcript (during his proclamation on Monday as the presidential candidate of PDP-Laban in next year’s election),” he said.

“Certainly, I was surprised. Why are you cursing someone who is well loved by the Catholics? Remember, it’s a rare opportunity for the Pope to visit our country and people really lined up the streets.”

“You take away the fact that I am a government official. I would also be indignant at the way he unnecessarily cursed Pope Francis,” he pointed out.

Asked about Duterte’s admission that he has two wives and two girlfriends, Lacierda said: “Let the people decide on who they want to be their leaders … It’s up to the people.”