Palace says Duterte remarks vs Tatad just ‘hyperbole’

Former Senator Francisco Tatad AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s insolent remarks against former Senator and columnist Francisco “Kit” Tatad is just “hyperbole” to say that he is still manly despite his age, Malacañang said Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s explanation came a day after Duterte dared Tatad to let him “borrow” his wife to show that he is still virile. The President also threatened to slap the former lawmaker for spreading rumors about his health.

READ: Duterte threatens to slap ex-senator for spreading rumors on his health

“Gusto mo talagang subukan kung meron pa kami o wala? May asawa ka? Ipahiram mo sa akin. P***** i** ka,” Duterte said in an event in Bulacan on Thursday evening.

The President also claimed that Tatad was suffering from diabetes which causes his erectile dysfunction.

In a Palace briefing, Panelo defended Duterte’s scandalous remarks, noting that the President was just upset about Tatad’s claim that he recently had a kidney transplant.

“Well, it’s just a hyperbole. That’s just to dramatize that he’s still virile at his age and he’s pissed off. He’s pissed off with the kind of false news,” he said, adding that Tatad’s claim is “libelous.”

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, asked Tatad to verify his information before publishing it.

“Ang message ko kay Tatad, noy, bago ka magpaluwas ng column mo, magverify ka muna kasi (My message to Tatad is this: before you publish your column, verify),” he said.

“Your days are over as spokesman of former president Marcos. Igalang natin (Let’s respect that),” he added.

This was not the first time Duterte mocked the former senator for supposedly spreading false news about his health.

In 2017, the President alleged that Tatad has enlarged testicles and venereal disease. /ee