Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — President Rodrigo Duterte defended his penchant for kissing women, saying only "idiots" put malice into it.

"They wonder why I kiss women because these rich people p***** i** won't hug you because they are afraid they'll catch your germs," Duterte said in Bisaya during a speech at the launching of a Gaisano-owned mall in Davao City Friday.

"Me, what am I to lose? Yes, because I was poor," he added.

The President went around the mall and greeted several women supporters, pecking their cheeks.

Duterte said this is something he does only to those who support him, to the dismay of his critics.

"If you try to give other people a good laugh and kiss them, the idiots will say, 'Ah vulgar.' They put malice on things that have no malice because I won't kiss them," Duterte said.

"Why would I kiss them? Especially the rich ones, why would I kiss you? What will I get from you? You won't even vote for me, you idiots. I'll mingle with the masses instead," he added.

Duterte received flak for kissing a Filipina on the lips during an official visit to South Korea in June. The President then defended his antics towards women, saying kissing ladies was his style, even if other people found it distasteful. The Filipina he kissed also said there was no malice involved when Duterte kissed her in front of the Filipino community in Seoul.

READ: Duterte admin critics slam President's misogyny, threats to democracy