President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed childhood anecdote on molesting a maid recently drew laughs in a Kidapawan City event on Saturday, Dec. 29.

However, it was found to be disturbing by members of the public, including some celebrities. At the same time, supporters of the President explained that what he said was simply another joke.

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During his speech, the President lambasted Catholic priests for sexual abuse and for drawing out confessions when there were none. He claimed that in one scenario, he confessed to touching a maid while she was sleeping and that he too was inappropriately touched by a priest of his Catholic school.

‘Unfunny’

Outrage was expressed by showbiz celebrities on social media following reports of Duterte’s statements.

“To you stupid, ugly hater and oppressor of women, and promoter of rape, we are all collectively giving you the Finger!” wrote musician Jim Paredes yesterday.

To you stupid, ugly hater and oppressor of women, and promoter of rape, We are all collectively giving you the Finger! — Jim (@Jimparedes) December 30, 2018

Today, Dec. 31, the musician said, “Ang mga kasambahay, ating galangin. Huwag GAPANGIN.”

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(Let us respect our domestic helpers. Do not dishonor them.)

Ang mga kasambahay, ating galangin. Huwag GAPANGIN. — Jim (@Jimparedes) December 31, 2018

“When you laugh at Duterte’s unfunny jokes about rape, misogyny and the like, you are an enabler of hate,” singer Leah Navarro tweeted yesterday. “When you remain silent about EJK, the failing economy or the illegal detention of @SenLeiladeLima (Senator Leila de Lima), you are complicit. Silence doesn’t absolve you.”

When you laugh at Duterte’s unfunny jokes about rape, misogyny and the like, you are an enabler of hate. When you remain silent about EJK, the failing economy or the illegal detention of @SenLeiladeLima, you are complicit. Silence doesn’t absolve you. — Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) December 30, 2018

Meanwhile, comedian Ogie Diaz did not see the need to react and instead predicted Malacañang’s response. Sharing a screenshot of a news outlet’s report of Duterte’s remarks on Facebook yesterday, he said, “Panelo: ‘Joke lang yan ng Presidente para aliwin ang audience.’” (It’s just a joke from the President to amuse the audience.)

‘Joke lang ‘yan’

Personalities who defended the President included bloggers, such as former Communications Asec. Mocha Uson. On Facebook yesterday, she shared a screenshot of a news headline stating that Gabriela slammed Duterte’s remarks and called for his resignation.

“Eto nanaman ang mga komunista! Yung mga totoong nirarape ng NPA hindi niyo pupunahin???? Tapos itong biro pupunahin niyo???”

(Here are the Communists again! You don’t notice those who were truly raped by the NPA, then you criticize these jokes?)

Pro-Duterte blogger Krizette Chu wrote with sarcasm on Facebook, “Shucks. Please, continue to enlighten us every day about every anti-Catholic sentiment and rude joke he says. Sobrang di ako informed (I’m totally not informed).

True to the stand of the Presidents’ supporters that what he said, being a joke, should not be blown out of proportion, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said yesterday, Dec. 30 that it was merely a “laughable anecdote to dramatize the fact of sexual abuse that was inflicted on him and his fellow students when they were in high school.”

‘What’s so laughable?’

Despite quelling outrage, the defense drew more criticism.

“Ano akala ninyo sa amin? Wala nang naniniwala sa inyo!” said actress and singer Agot Isidro in a tweet yesterday. “Oi. Magbabagong taon na, magbago na kayo!”

(What do you think of us? No one believes you anymore! Hey. It’s almost the New Year, it’s time to change!)

Talent manager Pia Magalona chimed in: “It is totally unnecessary for him to keep ‘making up’ these so-called stories and sharing [them with] the public. And what’s so laughable about what he claims he did?” JB

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