Duterte on Diokno, Hilbay names: ‘Di alam kung lalaki o babae’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech after leading the ceremonial distribution of grants to the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Unconditional Cash Transfer and Sustainable Livelihood Program at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on March 26, 2019. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte poked fun at the names of human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay as he again blasted the opposition’s senatorial candidates on Tuesday night in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Speaking during the distribution of financial grants to beneficiaries of the government’s unconditional cash transfer program, Duterte said the names of Hilbay and Diokno sounded confusing.

“Florin Hilbay. Hindi mo malaman kung lalaki pati babae. ‘Yang Chel Diokno, Florin… Ano ba ito? Member ng LGBT?” Duterte said, referring to the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender group.

In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Hilbay responded to Duterte and made it clear that he’s a man.

“Sir, lalake po, na naniniwalang hindi kabawasan ang maging member ng LGBT,” he wrote.

“Pahinga na, sir. Salamat sa special mention, pero gabi na. Wishing you lots of rest,” he added.

In the same speech, Duterte again slammed former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada for allegedly defending communist rebels.

Duterte first mocked the opposition Otso DIretso slate earlier this month, saying that they would “go straight to hell.”

READ: Duterte mocks opposition: ‘Otso Diretso’ will go to hell’

Only Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc was spared from the President’s tirades due to her gender.

Vice President Leni Robredo, who chairs the opposition Liberal Party (LP), said that drawing the President’s attention was a good sign for their candidates.

READ: Robredo: Duterte’s remarks on Otso Diretso bets a ‘good sign’

Aside from Diokno, Hilbay, Tañada, and Gutoc, the other opposition candidates are Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. /cbb