Poe on Duterte’s kissing spree: So sad

By: Maila Ager - 9 years ago

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte makes it a habit to kiss the women in his sorties. INQUIRER file

ILOILO, Philippines–Senator Grace Poe said she is saddened that her rival in the presidential race, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, had to resort to kissing women in his sorties, saying she has long been advocating gender equality and respect, especially for women.

Poe made the remark when asked during a press conference here on Tuesday to react on Duterte’s reported “kissing spree” when he is in a campaign trail.

READ: LOOK: Duterte kisses, sits with women in Taguig event

“Ako’y nalulungkot tungkol dito, sapagkat matagal na nating pinaglalaban na magkaroon ng patas na paggalang sa lahat ng kasarian, babae man o lalaki,” she said.

(I am saddened by this because I’ve been fighting for gender equality, whether for men or women.)

“Siguro ay ikinatutuwa ito ng iba, yung mga ibang babae pumapayag dito. Pero importante din kasi sakin e yung halimbawa na naipapakita natin sa ating mga anak,” the senator added.

(Maybe others are elated by this and some women allow this. But what’s important for me is, for example what are we showing to our children.)

Poe underscored the need for respect for each other.

“Sana ay huwag paurong ang ating pananaw tungkol dito. Importante na magkaroon ng paggalang sa isa’t-isa…”

“Hindi naman natin alam kung yung ating mga nakakatabi ay isang may asawa na, o kaya may boyfriend na, o kung ano pa man,” the senator added.

(Let’s hope our view on this is not backward. It’s important we respect each other…)

(We don’t know if the woman has a husband or boyfriend.)

Poe and Duterte are tied at second place with 24 percent votes in the latest presidential surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from February 5 to 7 among 1,200 respondents while Vice President Jejomar Binay kept his lead at 29 percent.

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas got 18 percent votes while Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago received 4 percent.

Poe is in the province for a series of activities that included a visit to the Jaro Church where she was allegedly found as an infant. She will also attend a political rally at the Jaro Plaza.

She was joined in by her adoptive mother, Susan Roces, vice presidential bet Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, and some senatorial bets under their team dubbed Partido Galing at Puso. TVJ