Palace: Duterte does not view Filipinos as ‘crybabies’

Filipinos are not crybabies.

Malacañang on Thursday disputed the remarks of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno that Filipinos “should be less of a crybaby” amid rising prices of fuel and prime commodities.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte would not call Filipinos as “crybabies,” citing that the Chief Executive recognized the current challenges Filipinos are facing.

“Let’s just say the President does not consider the Filipinos as crybabies,” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

“The President recognized, kinikilala po ni Presidente na talagang nagkakaroon ng pagsubok dahil sa biglang pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo na nagresulta sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produkto na, ng lahat ng halos ng mga bagay bagay,” he added.

(The President recognizes that there is a challenge due to the rising prices of crude oil which is resulting to the price hike of other products.)

He said the Duterte was not turning his back on the concerns of the public who elected him as President.

“At dahil siya ay Presidente na hinalal ng mga maliliit na tao, hindi naman pupwedeng talikuran ng Presidente yung mga naghalal sa kanya,” he said.

(And because is the President elected by the public, he cannot turn his back on those who voted for him.)

In a forum on Wednesday, Diokno said Filipinos should not complain too much, following the high prices of fuel and common goods.

“Remember, we had $135 per barrel under GMA (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo), so I think we should be less of a crybaby,” he said. /je