Sotto: Ignore Duterte’s jokes

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines—Just ignore President Rodrigo Duterte’s jokes.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III gave this advice on Thursday as Duterte continued to crack jokes about taking marijuana.

“At the outset I knew he was not only joking but ribbing some people because he said marijuana keeps him awake which is an impossibility because cannabis is a “downer,’” Sotto said in a text message.

He was referring to Duterte’s speech last Monday where  he said he was    using marijuana to keep him awake.

But the President later clarified that it was only a joke.

READ: Duterte admits using marijuana to keep him awake

On Wednesday, the President cracked another joke about marijuana.

“Inaantok ako. Sinong may marijuana diyan?” Duterte said in another speech.

But Sotto advised the public to just ignore the President’s jokes.

“Tigilan natin pag pansin sa mga biro nya kasi I  am told pinagtatawanan nya mga sumasakay,” the Senate leader said.

Sotto earlier found Duterte’s joke  about using marijuana as “very odd.”

“Baliktad ah. Marijuana is supposed to mostly calm you down,” he said. “Very odd if it’s true.” /jpv

READ: Sotto on Duterte’s marijuana use: ‘It’s supposed to calm you down’