NINETY million Filipinos would be furious if US President Barack Obama calls President Duterte a “son of a whore”. That’s why Americans have all the reasons in the world to express their rage upon reading the news that Mr. Duterte has called their President a “son of a whore”. The “intemperate comment” was unfortunate, but if you are not a Filipino and you get your information from your own media representative in the Philippines, it is easy to believe something that was taken out of context.
President Duterte curses in public. It is no big deal for us, not that we want to be seen as a country without breeding, but because we would rather have a foul-mouthed President who can deliver meaningful change than a polite leader who can’t be as good as his campaign promises.
The President’s latest “putang ina” (“mother whore” not “son of a whore”), illustrates how his expressions could easily be taken out of context. Here’s what happened: After the President gave a short speech about his Asean trip on Monday, he asked: “Any questions? I will give you a few…for clarification for the statement only. Do not come more on to politics. It’s too far away.”
Despite his warning of not going too far, one reporter asked him: “Sir, there have been concerns on extrajudicial killings. And you will meet leaders, any line of communication that we have prepared to address this issue in front of other foreign leaders?”
The President replied: “To whom shall I address myself to? Who will be asking the question? May I know?”
Somebody in the audience said: “Like Obama, sir.” And that started it all. His comment: “You know, the Philippines is not a vassal state. We have long ceased to be a colony of the United States. Alam mo marami dyan mga kolumnista [You know there are a lot of columnists] who look up on Obama and the United States as if we are the lapdogs of this country.”
Note that the President was clearly addressing his audience. Obama’s name was only mentioned as an example, because somebody in the audience mentioned Obama. He added: “I do not respond to anybody but the people of the Republic of the Philippines. Wala akong pakialam sa kanya [I don’t care about him]. Who is he? I am not beholden to anybody.” This is the part that gets ugly. In trying to lift the country, Mr. Duterte said something that can be used against him.
The President’s next line was addressed to the reporter, not to Obama, as the foreign media claimed: “You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Putang ina, I will curse you in that forum.”
We repeat: That statement was not directed at President Obama. Non-Filipinos who want to review the transcript are advised to hire a competent Tagalog speaker to put Mr. Duterte’s statement in its proper context.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano