President Rodrigo Duterte is being criticized after denying his election “promise” that he will deal with the Chinese incursion in the West Philippine Sea.
“I never, never, in my campaign as President, promise the people that I would re-take the West Philippine Sea. I did not promise that I would pressure China,” Duterte said during his taped address on Monday, May 3.
“I never promised anything. Just because I’m President, gusto n’yong makipag-away ako,” he added.
However, there was evidence that the Philippine President said such a thing. A video of Duterte surfaced during his 2016 presidential election telling the voters his plan to stop China from invading Philippine territory.
“‘Pag ayaw nila, I will ask the Navy to bring me to the nearest boundary diyan sa Spratly, Scarborough, bababa ako, sasakay ako ng jet ski, dala-dala ko yung flag ng Pilipino at pupunta ‘ko dun sa airport nila. Tapos itanim ko, then I would say, ‘this is ours and do what you want with me.’ I would stake that claim,” said Duterte.
Several celebrities, personalities, and even Netizens expressed their resentment as Duterte cannot keep his word.
Using the hashtags #DuterteTraydor, #DuterteDuwag, and #DutertePalpak, a netizen stressed that Duterte was caught “clear as day” making such a promise.
Caught in 4K #DuterteTraydor #DuterteDuwag #DutertePalpak https://t.co/GQAMmGxzHs pic.twitter.com/nUDqGNqeDH
— Riley (@rileywryly_) May 3, 2021
Former PTV-4 host Jules Guiang blasted Duterte for thinking that all Filipinos are “stupid”.
He really thinks we’re all stupid siguro ano https://t.co/a2GUO8kzCl
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) May 3, 2021
Journalist Michael Fajatin threw some shade (at Duterte) with his tweet:
“Mapapalampas mo ang bobo pero hindi ang nuknukan ng sinungaling.”
Mapapalampas mo ang bobo pero hindi ang nuknukan ng sinungaling.
— michael fajatin (@michaelfajatin) May 4, 2021
Comedian John Lapus even called the president a “liar” after he contradicted himself.
https://twitter.com/KorekKaJohn/status/1389388935189590016
ABS-CBN actress Agot Isidro also threw some shade with her tweet. The actress “heard” that “someone” is embarrassing himself.
https://twitter.com/agot_isidro/status/1389230830032080901
Another Twitter personality, Jonas Sergio noted that Duterte’s ally, Sen. Manny Pacquiao even thought of the President as a “liar”.
https://twitter.com/jownuss/status/1389363326895804416
Brian Robert, a Twitter personality, even highlighted Duterte’s duality as he had shown his “bravery” during the 2016 elections but was not able to act now that he is president.
https://twitter.com/bridomingo/status/1389396895332651009
To stop Duterte from denying to have ever made such a statement, a Netizen wants the President to see the video where he spewed such promise.
show him the fucking video https://t.co/ao8jdusS7t
— KD (@keithygana) May 4, 2021
ANC broadcaster Rica Lazo shared the promise of Duterte during his 2016 election run in case anyone “forgets”.
To those who conveniently forget https://t.co/Zd9HA3460H
— Rica Lazo (@_ricalazo) May 4, 2021
Twitter personality Patrick Marcelo aired his disgust towards the President, even calling him a “clown”.
https://twitter.com/ptrckmarcelo/status/1389365874453225480
A Twitter personality even took a swipe at Duterte’s loyal supporters for supporting their patron even if he fooled them.
Budol is real.
Kaya kung DDS ka pa din. Ewan ko na talaga sa yo. https://t.co/1kQRGz4R6p— Darwin Dela Vega (@Arwi_11) May 3, 2021
TV personality Kiko Rustia shared a comic strip referencing Duterte as Pinocchio, even calling it “accurate”. In the children’s story “Pinocchio”, the puppet’s nose grows whenever he lies.
https://twitter.com/kikorustia/status/1389440865592963072
But not only the WPS promise that Duterte could not fulfill. Former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño shared a compilation of the President’s unfulfilled promises during his election campaign, including his assurance in his first SONA (State of the Nation Address).
These are some of the promises made by Duterte:
“I will get rid of drugs, crime, stop corruption in the government in a matter of 3-6 months.
“I will lead this nation to… hindi naman greatness. But I would like to promise you a comfortable life under me.
“The moment I assume the presidency, contractualization will stop.
“I will deliver to you, ‘ano ang dapat sa tao’
“As long as I sit there as president, there will be no demolitions without relocations.”
Hindi lang yung jetski ang pangakong napako. #Resign pic.twitter.com/igdH6Qxgpt
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) May 4, 2021
Now that Duterte denied his promise five years ago, actor Chuckie Dreyfus is waiting for the new script of DDS to defend their patron.
https://twitter.com/chuckiedreyfus/status/1389268781852020738
In a pre-election debate in 2016, Duterte wanted to be a “hero” by defending the Philippine territory against China despite not waging war.
“Matagal ko nang ambisyon na maging hero ako. Kung pinatay nila ako dun, bahala na kayo umiyak dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
