President Rodrigo Roa Duterte discusses matters with Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque on the sidelines of the 22nd Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on February 5, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Palace spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday claimed that prior to President Rodrigo’s lengthy, misinformed rant on Nov. 17, the chief executive had never publicly censured Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
“Kung hindi naman lumabas iyong mga isyu na ganiyan na ‘nasaan si presidente?’ wala naman pong sinasabing masama ang presidente kay VP Leni. Mayroon ba ho? Wala!” Roque said in a virtual presser.
Duterte’s recent rant consisted of tirades, threats and lies about Robredo’s efforts during typhoon “Ulysses.”
However, contrary to Roque’s claim, it was not the first and only time the president lambasted Robredo.
In a super typhoon “Yolanda” commemoration event in 2016, Duterte made jokes about Robredo’s widow status.
“Kung saan siya nagapunta, nagapasunud-sunod ako. Pero biyuda kasi. Annulled man ako sa— totoo, annulled ako sa asawa ko. Pero may anak ako, basta masuportahan lang, okay lang iyon. Ma’am, balita ko may boyfriend ka na. Sabi diyan sa ano,’wag ka mahiyaan ha? Do not be offended pero iyong sabi nila, hindi ho totoo? E kung totoo iyon, ma’am, may patay na congressman na bago. Para mabiyuda ulit,” Duterte said.
The president also said that he preferred to walk behind Robredo because the vice president was wearing a short skirt and had her knees visible.
“Kasi si Ma’am Leni, medyo shorter than usual iyong damit na ano, ganun. Siguro nahalata ng mga protocol officer na sige ako sa likod. Sonny Dominguez naman, sabi ko, ‘ang layo mo, dito tayo mag—dito tayo, halika,’ sabi ko. Tingnan mo iyong tuhod ni (Leni).”
“Nung nahalata niya, sige hila siya. Gusto ko sabihin, ‘Ma’am, mag-shorts ka na lang kaya. Bakit magpa-iksi-iksi ka ng damit.’ So ang ginawa ng gaging, inilit niya, hindi iyong paganun. Dito makikita mo man, binaliktad niya, tapos nakaharap na doon. Wala nang view. So noong next, mga after three Cabinet meetings, doon na siya sa harap ko. Malayo ang tingin,” he continued.
Robredo said Duterte’s remarks were inappropriate and offensive.
“Tasteless remarks and inappropriate advances against women should have no place in our society. We should expect that most of all from our leaders,” she said.
Speaking before military alumni in 2018, Duterte said Robredo was “weak.”
“She’s very good. She’s gentle. Pero mahina talaga si Leni,” Duterte said.
“Walang… She cannot — may sitwasyon ka, nag-decide ako, wala… Hindi mahina ‘yung utak, pumasa ng bar eh. Mahina sa diskarte,” he added.
Robredo was also called a blabbermouth by Duterte.
“Huwag kayong maniwala diyan — sus mga itong dilawan lalo na — I hate to mention her name, but ito si Leni, kung ano-anong pinagsasabi. Alam mo Leni, kung gusto mo — if you really want to do away with the Covid, spray-han natin itong Pilipinas o Manila ng pesticide galing sa eroplano para patay lahat,” he said in September this year in a Covid-19 briefing. John Ezekiel J. Hirro