Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo
“That’s his style and in fact, that style made him the President of the land overwhelmingly.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this on Monday in defense of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “spit” remark over the weekend on women which drew criticisms.
In a speech at the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City on Saturday, Duterte told his critics to spit on his face if they could prove their allegations of hidden wealth against him.
He said: “Pero ‘pag babae ka na maganda at dinuraan mo ako, ‘yung laway mo kunin ko, ilagay ko sa bibig ko, lapitan ko at sabihin ko isauli ko sa iyo laway mo, dagdagan ko ng akin dahil maganda ka.”
READ: Duterte: Spit on my face if I have hidden wealth
According to Panelo, there’s nothing to worry about the possible impact of such remarks from the President.
“That has been his style ever since he came into national limelight as mayor and as a candidate for the presidency,” Panelo said.
“So I think we shouldn’t be worried of what the impact of those statements made by him. What is important to my mind is that he functions well as President of this country and he serves well his citizenry,” he added.
Duterte has long been criticized for making sexist remarks. His latest pronouncement drew the ire of women’s party-list group, Gabriela, who says that Duterte’s remarks “further contributes to the degradation and disrespect of women.”
READ: Gabriela condemns Duterte’s ‘spit’ remark on women
However, Panelo insisted that Duterte has high regard for women.
“If you join him in a social gathering he’s very respectful to women,” he said. “He’s a real gentleman. He always spoke to every woman that he meets whether young or old.”
“That’s why he’s so lovable with women kaya women admire him except of course ‘yung mga nationalist natin na nagre-react. Pero by and large, talagang mahal siya ng mga tao men or women alike,” he added.