Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo / JOAN BONDOC
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Tuesday defended Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.’s “colorful language,” citing how President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly earned the admiration of the international community for his tough-talking persona.
“Ang Presidente natin diba ganun din ang style? Pero kita mo naman ang epekto. Look at the effect when he curses (former US President) Obama di ba? Bigla siyang tiningala ng buong mundo as an emerging world leader,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“He (Duterte) stood up. Kung minsan marami ring nagagawa ‘yang mga ganyan,” he added.
Panelo was recounting Duterte’s controversial lashing out of Obama and the European Union, which aired concerned over his administration’s war on drugs.
READ: Duterte to Obama: Go to hell!
The Palace official issued the statement after Locsin drew flak for calling VIce President Leni Robredo “boba” (stupid) on Twitter for her comments on the cancellation of diplomatic passports of former foreign affairs secretaries.
Locsin already apologized for his remark.
READ: Locsin calls Robredo ‘boba’ and asks someone to ‘give her a brain’
READ: Locsin to Robredo: Sorry, sorry, sorry… ‘at your service, Ma’am’
Panelo claimed Locsin’s remark could have been expressed out of “exasperation.”
“Siguro something triggered him to say that. Sabi ko nga siguro out of exasperation. He was expecting more from a lawyer (like Robredo),” he said.
Asked if it is acceptable, Panelo said: “Kung acceptable ‘yun hindi na sana siya nag-apologize.” (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)