President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday defended himself from criticisms regarding his remarks about Vice President Leni Robredo’s knees which many viewed as improper.
The Vice President herself decried the incident, calling the President’s comments about her as “inappropriate” and “tasteless.”
READ: Robredo: ‘Tasteless’ remarks on women have no place in society
But Duterte said he should not be faulted for ogling at Robredo’s knees as he again blamed the media for “making an issue” about the incident.
“It’s appropriate. As a matter of fact it is good,” Duterte said after delivering his departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City.
“So what’s the problem there? Why make an issue? Sexist? There goes the media again,” he continued.
READ: Duterte admits ogling at Robredo’s legs during Cabinet meeting
He said he mentioned how he used to ogle at Robredo’s “to make people laugh because I was angry” during the commemoration of the third year of the Supertyphoon “Yolanda” tragedy in Tacloban City on Tuesday.
The President said: “What’s so special about the body of a woman?… Do not exact standard for me. I will do what I say and I say what I do. Those jokes like that are nothing.”
Duterte flew to Thailand to pay respects to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej before proceeding to Malaysia for a two-day state visit. CDG