President swaps swearing for charm
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a speech without his usual swearing yesterday, telling dozens of Miss Universe contestants they should advance the empowerment of women.
The firebrand leader normally makes rambling, off-the-cuff speeches peppered with curses and threats to kill criminals.
He has insulted several world leaders, calling both former US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis “son of a bitch”.
But he was on his best behaviour yesterday, welcoming more than 80 Miss Universe contestants to the presidential palace in the capital, Manila.
The Philippines will host the pageant for the third time this weekend.
“I usually do not read my speeches, I’m not up to it really, but this time . . . they told me that I must behave in my language,” he told the women.
Duterte’s critics have accused him of being sexist and disrespectful towards women. On one occasion, he commented publicly about the length of the vice-president’s skirt and her knees.
He was widely condemned during his election campaign for making a boorish comment about the rape and murder of a woman missionary in 1989.
Yesterday, he told the contestants: “This is a chance for you to make an impact, to inspire change, and even be the change that you wish to see in the world.”