On July 9, 2019, international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney's law firm announced that she will be part of a legal team representing renowned Filipino journalist Maria Ressa, who is facing a number of criminal cases such as tax evasion and cyber-libel.

That same day, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told the press, "Palagay ko naghahanap lang sila ng katapat ko... E kasi 'pag kaming dalawa nagde-debate ni Maria, medyo kawawa naman kasi hindi naman siya abogado. Kailangan may abogado siya. Maganda pa, sexy."

Continue reading below ↓

He added, while laughing, "I'm excited to debate with her [Amal]... Nabola lang niya si Attorney Amal. Misinformed kasi si Attorney Amal. Siguro kapag nagkita kami, to use the word of the President, I can educate her."

Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos

These statements did not sit well with many Filipinos, who took to Twitter to express how they felt.

Continue reading below ↓

Upon reading (and hearing) the news, most people did a double take. This GIF says it all:

Panelo reduced Amal to a pretty face and a sexy body and people are NOT HAPPY.

Was that "maganda pa, sexy" comment really necessary?

Continue reading below ↓

Continue reading below ↓

He actually claimed that he would ~educate~ her.

ICYDK, Amal is an international human rights lawyer, has law degrees from Oxford and NYU, and has worked in the United Nations, among others. Salvador Panelo, also a lawyer, served as President Rodrigo Duterte's Chief Legal Counsel for several years and is a former Director of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Some are even listing down Amal's many impressive achievements:

Continue reading below ↓

Basically, they're saying that Panelo should refrain from making any more *embarrassing* comments like these.

Continue reading below ↓

Continue reading below ↓

Follow Lily on Instagram.