Duterte offers apologies to Kris Aquino over Mocha post
President Duterte brushed aside criticisms for kissing a married Filipina during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community in Seoul, South Korea over the weekend. Answering questions upon his arrival from Seoul, South Korea Wednesday dawn, Duterte said there was no malice about the kiss and wondered about the uproar the kiss has generated.
“We enjoyed it. It was a showbiz (thing) and everybody enjoyed it. Asking for malice, I do not do it in public if there is malice. I would pull the woman’s – down somewhere along the empty hall there," he explained.
"Style ko ‘yan, eh. Maghanap kayo ng ibang style ninyo (That's my style. Find your own). There is nothing wrong in a simple kiss you cause an uproar. Inggit lang ‘yan sila (They are just envious)," he added.
The President said he used to lock lips with women in Davao City when he was campaigning for mayor.
"During the campaign in my mayorship days, I kiss every woman there, lips to lips... Hindi lang ‘yan smack, ‘yung ibang babae gusto talagang romance (Not just a smack. Some women really want romance)," he added.
Duterte’s trusted aide, Special Assistant to the President Lawrence “Bong” Go who has been at the President’s side for the past 20 years attested to this. He said anyone who knows Duterte will know that this (kiss) is not new.
But when asked what the reaction of his partner, Honeylet Avanceña was about the kissing incident, Duterte refused to answer.
"Tanong ‘yan ng mga pervert (That is the question of perverts). Why do you have to dwell on kissing? Next question," he said.
But Duterte said he sure would be confronted by his youngest daughter, Veronica when he gets home.
"She will put me to task. I expect my second daughter to say something about it in front of me when I [come home]. Kaya ayaw ko munang umuwi (That's why I do not want to go home yet)," he said in jest.
Apologies in order
Unknown to Duterte, the kissing incident has started an uproar in social media against pro- and anti-Duterte supporters and women’s group who felt slighted by what they described as “unpresidential” conduct.
Duterte defender Communications Assistant Secretary for Social Media Mocha Uson posted a video of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino being kissed by two women while seated on a plane before he was assassinated.
This angered Kris Aquino who challenged Uson to a fight.
Aquino lashed out atUson, telling the former entertainer that she "crossed the line" when she dragged Aquino's late parents in defending President Duterte's controversial kiss in South Korea.
Aquino had repeatedly said that she will not mind criticisms against her, but said she will not hesitate fighting anyone who will disrespect the memories of her parents.
When Duterte learned about it, he told Go to apologize to Kris. When asked if the President had other things to say about the issue, Go said Duterte only told him to apologize, recognizing Aquino's point.
“The President didn't add anymore. Maybe he understood Kris' point, that she was reminded of her father's death.”
Go said Uson is also expected to apologize to the Queen of All Media. But he is uncertain if Uson will issue a public or personal apology to Aquino.
“She also agreed when the President and I asked her to apologize,” Go said. “Asec Mocha is already old enough. She knows right from wrong. I asked her to not let this go out of hand,” he added.
While still in Korea, Uson posted a video in reply to Kris: “Ito po ang aking response sa live video ni Ms. Kris Aquino. This is not about Kris Aquino. Tungkol ito sa paglagay ng malisya sa isang halik. Itinumbas lang sa gawain ng ibang lider tulad ng tatay niya (This is my response to the live video of Ms. Kris Aquino. This is not about Kris Aquino. It was about putting malice on a kiss. It was just compared to the actions of other leaders like her father). Ms. Aquino, this is not about you,” she said.
At press time Wednesday, Uson posted this: “With all due respect to everyone involved, I decline to apologize for the truth.”
Kris Aquino live
A few minutes later Kris Aquino posted a live video on her social media accounts where she said she had contracts that prevent her from doing what she wants to do.
“I will pray about what is best for me to do. Pero,baka mas maganda na hindi na ako humingi ng posisyon, hindi ako maging elected official para patuloy niyo akong pakinggan. Kasi pag naging parte akong Senado, naging kagaya lang ako nila. Ngayon, pantay-pantay tayong lahat. Hindi ako pinalaki para sumuko kahit pagod na. Hindi ako pinalaki para mamastos.”
“I did my share. I tried to reach out. Sir Bong, sana hindi pang-presscon lang. Sana totoo yung sinabi mong ‘intindihin natin si Kris.’ I have known you for 8 years and I said this to you, you're a good man.”
“Mocha, you win because you hurt me. And I think that's what you wanted to do. Nanalo ka dahil patuloy mong inapak-apakan ang pagkatao, ang alala ng dalawang tao na pinakamamahal ko. Yung sinabi kong di kita uurungan, nagdasal ako. At na-realize ko, bakit pa?
"Kahit anong kabutihan ang ipakita ko sa inyo, ayaw niyong ayusin, eh.
"Ni-minsan wala kayong batikos na narinig. Hindi yan ang pagpapalaki sa akin. Mocha, I'll end this. You're right. This is not about Kris Aquino, this is a reminder that Filipinos still love and respect Cory and Ninoy Aquino."