Philippine president sparks outrage by kissing married woman on stage

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s mouth has landed him in hot water again – this time for kissing a married woman on the lips in front of thousands of his cheering supporters.

Mr Duterte, known for his verbal outbursts and other antics, has been condemned by critics for the kiss, which took place on Sunday during a town hallstyle meeting with overseas Filipino workers in South Korea.

One senator called the act “a despicable display of sexism and grave abuse of authority”.

Mr Duterte sought a kiss from the woman after he called her on stage to give her a copy of a book at the event in Seoul.

When Mr Duterte asked if she could explain to her husband that the antic was just a joke, and she said yes, the president leaned in and kissed her as thousands erupted in cheers. The scene was beamed live by the state-run TV network to the Philippines.

While the woman has defended the kiss and said she was thrilled by her encounter, others said the president went too far.

“President Duterte acted like a feudal king who thinks that being the president is an entitlement to do anything that he pleases,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who asked the public not to pass judgment on the woman, who said there was “no malice” in the presidential kiss, which was meant to dazzle the crowd.