A kiss was all it was

Akiss planted by President Rodrigo Duterte on the lips of Bea Kim, a Filipina said to be married to a South Korean with whom she has two children, while on an official visit to South Korea has sparked a controversy among the many seemingly prude critics and feminist bigots in this country.

Whether the smooch was made on the lips, the cheeks or on the forehead for the world to see is all it was: a kiss. So why make a big fuss about it and make it appear like it was a sinful act? Why be so judgmental about it?

Because it was Duterte who did it, he who has been labeled as misogynist by women’s rights advocates and by some preachy opposition politicians?

A misogynist is one characterized as strongly prejudiced against women. Is Duterte living up to this disparaging description when he has a wife and daughters to reckon with in the family?

Duterte himself has admitted that he is not and can never be presidential in any manner, shape and form. Sadly, this is what his critics from the political circle and the women’s right advocacy expect him to act. Well, what you see is what you get about Duterte and this is what makes him tick with the Filipino people.

Duterte is not a comedian but he uses his antics to make people laugh and identify himself with them. This was a time for laughter and not for retribution, which Duterte is also wont to make.

Since when has kissing been “sickening” and a “despicable display of sexism and grave abuse of authority” when the recipient was forewarned not to take it seriously as it was just for fun, a gimmick in fact? Ms. Kim was game enough and went along with Duterte’s strategy of entertaining his countrymen.

So the question is: If the kiss did not scandalize her, why would it matter to a group of sanctimonious people?--Jesus Sievert