Charles Teves
Wishing for President Rodrigo Duterte to die is flat-out despicable, said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.
Jokes and memes were everywhere on social media after Duterte’s April 7 address to the nation was canceled following several Presidential guards tested positive for COVID-19.
One of the rumors–Duterte suffered a stroke, which Andanar labeled as ‘fake news.’
He said the President is safe and healthy.
“As easy as it may be for some people to blame the Government for any mishap, even the surge in COVID-19 cases, these attempts to wish and to ponder ill intent, and worst death to anyone, especially to the President of our country, are foul and tasteless, even if meant in jest,” Andanar said.
“As we are being guided by President Duterte’s tough and efficient leadership during this pandemic, such sentiments are spiteful and detestable.”
Andanar was disgusted at people harboring ill wishes for Duterte, calling the remarks ‘hateful’ and ‘malicious.’
“We abhor and deplore the fake news that circulated in different social media platforms regarding President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s health after the recent postponement of this week’s Talk to the People.
“May these individuals and groups become conscientious of their malicious actions. Sowing confusion and preying on the susceptibility of others speaks volumes of their hateful nature. We leave their comeuppance to Providence,” he said.
He assured the public that Duterte’s health is not a concern.
“President Duterte is safe and healthy, and continues to work to ensure that we address the recent surge of the virus.”
However, on March 1, Duterte on live television said he wanted Vice President Leni Robredo to die.
“Iyan ang mahirap sa iyo eh, you want to be relevant. And you… you know, sometimes you make an idiotic stance. Iyong mga ganoong ‘they deserve the best’.
“Anak ka ng… Bakit ako? I would give them the worst?” Duterte retorted.
“Mamatay ka na. Hindi… hindi ko iwanan ‘yong mga frontliners and you do not need to really be redundant about it.”
His ranting came after Robredo, who criticized his plan of rolling out the Sinovac vaccine without consultation from the Health Technology and Assessment Council.
Netizens found Andanar’s comments to be hypocritical.
Andanar, Apr 8: To wish death to anyone, especially the President…foul and tasteless
Duterte, Mar 1: “(Leni) Mamatay ka na.” pic.twitter.com/9nCLYIzAcS
— TheEmperor ✊🏼💗🌷🎀 (@Eric_Cabahug) April 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/AlCagmat/status/1380102726525222915?s=20
Duterte should stop talking in english. Either he wished for leni to die or "mamatay ka na" was a follow up to "I want the worse for them?"
We can agree his statement was wrong but never wish for someone's death sheesh
— Gian.txt (@Gian_txt) April 8, 2021
Soooooo @martinandanar, may mga joke na masama, ano? Like dapat nauna si "Miyor" manggahasa? Maraming rape dahil maraming maganda? Pwede mang-rape ang sundalo hanggang tatlo? Foul and tasteless ba? Hala kaaaaa…
— Clark (@klaroclark) April 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/ma_armina/status/1379801752606633988?s=20
Did you feel the same way when the president publicly said mamatay ka na sa VP na isang babae pa? Did you have the same outrage?
— Homer Musni (@hmusni) April 8, 2021
— james sanchez (@jamessa28827723) April 8, 2021
Pero ok lang magjoke ng panghaharass at pangrape ng babae pag amo niyo gumagawa? Those are foul and tasteless as well. Don't dish it if you can't take it
— OSG (@osgarcia) April 8, 2021
