Mar hits Duterte over foul language

ALUBIJID, Misamis Oriental – Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II yesterday intensified his tirades against survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, this time targeting his rival’s foul language and his stance on the South China Sea row.

Roxas, who earlier vowed to avoid name-calling and to conduct an issues-based campaign, also branded Duterte as

ampaw or rice puff, or someone lacking in substance.

“Do not fool us, Duterte. Do not deceive us. Puros ampaw

ang sinasabi mo (You are just giving us empty words),” the LP standard bearer said in a press conference here.

“Matapang ka lang sa salita. (You are just brave in words). You failed to do it in your own city and yet you are promising to accomplish it in three to six months. Ampaw ka,” he added.

Roxas was reacting anew to Duterte’s promise to end criminality in the Philippines in three to six months. It was a promise disputed by Roxas, who claimed that Davao City is one of the areas with the highest number of murder, homicide and rape incidents.

On the South China Sea issue, Roxas said Duterte’s statement that he would challenge the Chinese to a fistfight or gun battle was “kagaguhan (stupidity).”

“Is that the type of leadership he will bring to the country? Is fistfight or gun battle your response to all the problems of our country and our countrymen?” the LP standard bearer asked.

“Being a commander- inchief is a tough responsibility. You don’t put your troops in danger because of your tough words or to avoid losing face. Lives are at stake here. Our country is at stake here,” he added.

Roxas, who backs the Philippines’ move to file a case against China before an international arbitral tribunal, said challenging China to a hostile encounter would not address the territorial dispute.

With regard to Duterte’s foul language and sexist comments, Roxas said the mayor does not recognize views that go against his “narrow and limited” perspective.

“You continue to disrespect different sectors of our society including women, (members of) LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) groups and your opponents. You do not have respect for anyone,” he said.

Duterte earlier admitted to being a womanizer with two wives and two girlfriends. He was also photographed with female supporters sitting on his lap. Duterte, however, has denied treating women as mere sex objects, saying he was just being honest to the public.

Measure of manhood

Roxas also criticized Duterte’s use of the word “bakla” (gay) to describe him and the Aquino administration.

“You represent the biggest danger to our country. You will bring us to uncertainty,” he said of the mayor.

Interestingly, Roxas appeared to have used gender stereotypes in denouncing Duterte’s supposed sexist attitude.

“Ang tunay na lalaki, hindi maingay. Ang tunay na lalaki, hindi tawag-pansin. Ang tunay na lalaki, may respeto. Ang tunay

na lalaki, kilala ang kanyang limitasyon (A real man is not noisy, a real man does not seek attention, a real man is respectful, a real man knows his limits),” he said.

Roxas also denied that he is targeting Duterte, whose survey numbers have risen despite his unconventional way of packaging himself.

“This is not focused on anyone. Any leader who makes good on such statements is dangerous to the country,” he said.

Roxas spokesman and Akbayan party- list Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez also belied Duterte’s claim on Davao City’s crime situation.

“How can he ( Duterte) eradicate crime in the entire country in six months when he can’t do it in his own city in the 20 years that he was mayor?”

He said Duterte was trying to portray himself as anti-elite, but in reality he comes from a political dynasty.

“He is closely related to large political clans in the Visayas. His father was a former governor of Davao and former mayor of Danao. His brother was a councilor in Davao City. His children all have positions in Davao City. They have ruled Davao City for three decades, switching positions like the Binay family. Mayor, please stop the lies,” he said.

Duterte topped the latest surveys on presidential bets conducted by Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS) early this month.