Duterte endorses Mayor Tita V. Baja-Gallantes and Jun Evasco. (Philippine Government photo)
Was ‘ipis’ or flirting with town mayor a bad omen?
Opinion
By Ted Alcuitas
Editor
Despite being endorsed personally by his boss, former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. cabinet secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. lost to Arthur Yap to become governor of Bohol.
The former priest turned New People’s Army (NPA) commander said he would file a petition for failure of election citing massive vote buying by his opponent, a move he described as “the last one legal option to right an infirmed election.”
It was during President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech in Garcia-Hernandez a week before the election when a cockroach landed on his shoulder.
But more than the cockroach landing, it was the open flirting by Duterte on Mayor Tita V. Baja-Gallantes that was so gross, proving once again his misogynistic bent.
“You are truly beautiful. If it were me, why would I ever break up with you? I will really grab and hold on to your panty if you try to leave, even until the garter snaps. You’re just too beautiful,” said Duterte in a speech speaking in his native Cebuano.
Duterte openly flirted with the mayor throughout the event.
“Can you run away with me? You have children, don’t you mayor? How many children do you have? I have three — four. I have four but they’re all grown up already so I don’t have a problem there anymore,” he said.
“Actually I’m not trying to pull your leg. But sa tinuod talaga (the truth is) ang balita ko if I may allow to say it in public and it will not offend you,you and your husband are separated),” he added.
Gallentes, who laughed along, said she was not offended by the remarks because like the President, “We Visayans understood that it was a joke to keep people from getting bored,” she said.
Gallantes was reelected as mayor of her town.
Gabriela women’s party list strongly condemned the President’s “sick and disgusting display of machismo, infidelity and ethical bankruptcy,” and called on women voters to make the elections “a platform for the resounding rejection of misogyny and macho-fascist leadership.”
Cockroach intrusion
“No wonder a cockroach landed on him. That insect likes filth, like Mr. Duterte’s trashy mouth,” said Gabriela Representatives Arlene Brosas and Emmi de Jesus.