MANILA, Philippines — In a light moment during his public address, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte joked that the Philippines is now a “republic of Marites” (republic of gossipers).
“Kung gusto mo ng tsismis, marami ako. Lahat ng ano… This is a republic of Marites na ngayon eh,” Duterte said in a taped briefing aired on Thursday morning.
(If you want to hear about gossips, I have many. All kinds. This is a republic of Martes now.)
Marites has become the national nickname for Filipino netizens who enthusiastically dig up and keep track of every new issue, rumor, and bizarre events they come across on social media.
“Lahat ng tao may tsismis, babae at lalaki. Noon sa mga babae lang ‘yan. Nag-aaway mga babae na pangalan Marites talaga,” Duterte said, while chuckling.
(All people have rumors, men and women. Before it’s only the women. The women are fighting, especially those who are really named Marites.)
Some Cabinet members in the briefing were also shown to be laughing.
“Magsabi doon sa classroom, Marites tsismosa. Lahat naman,” Duterte said.
This is the first public appearance of Duterte after the conduct of the May 9 elections.