DAVAO CITY Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “rape joke” is not only tasteless and insensitive; it is more so unpresidential. His excuse that it was just “gutter language” and was speaking the language of the masses not only betray his lack of sensitivity and empathy; it also speaks ill of the Filipino people for they find insensitivity funny. His loyal supporters have come out in droves to defend the Davao mayor. But in their defense, they not only showed how insensitive they are as a group; they also displayed a naïve belief that all of Mr. Duterte’s words and actions would move the country out of the economic quagmire it is in. Mr. Duterte may be his own man. He may want to do things his way. It would have been alright if he would only be representing himself. But when he aspired for the country’s highest post, he should have understood that he would end up bearing the whole Filipino nation. His pronouncements, anecdotes and speeches have blurred the lines between jokes, ser
Online edition of The Ilocos Times, a community newspaper based in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.