Davao City Acting Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte II has denied claims that the city government declared comedian Vice Ganda persona non grata following his viral “jet ski holiday” joke about former President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to Duterte, the City Council has more pressing matters to focus on than what he described as “cheap antics for clout.”
“The City Council of Davao has far more important matters to attend to than entertaining baseless, attention-seeking antics from performers desperate for relevance,” Duterte said in an official statement.
“Contrary to what this viral document suggests, the Council’s time and energy are devoted to crafting policies and programs that improve the lives of Dabawenyos—enhancing infrastructure, ensuring public safety, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social services.”
The acting vice mayor also took a swipe at Vice Ganda’s brand of humor.
“Davao City will not be distracted by cheap insults and distasteful jokes made for clout. Public figures like Vice Ganda, who use their platform to mock rather than uplift, reveal more about their own character than about the people they ridicule,” he added.
“The dignity and pride of Dabawenyos are not for sale and certainly not for comedy fodder. If Vice Ganda wishes to be remembered for more than empty laughs and headline-grabbing jabs, perhaps it’s time to show the same hard work, discipline, and respect that Davao’s leaders and citizens demonstrate daily.”
The controversy erupted after Vice Ganda parodied the viral “Jet2holiday” TikTok sound during the first night of his Super Diva concert with Regine Velasquez at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on August 8.
“Nothing beats a jet ski holiday! Ride now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea by jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC. Promo applies to DDS only; pinklawan and BBMs are prohibited. ‘Wag niyo kong subukan, mga pu****i** niyo!” Vice said during the skit, referencing Duterte’s infamous “jet ski promise” from the 2016 campaign—a statement he later admitted was a joke.
While many in the audience laughed, the joke drew backlash from some Duterte supporters, including a Facebook user who appealed to the Davao City government to declare Vice persona non grata.
The call received mixed reactions online—some supported the move, while others defended the comedian. Facebook page Proud Bisaya backed the suggestion, and British national Malcolm Conlan, a known Duterte supporter, also criticized Vice’s skit, calling it “inappropriate” and “in poor taste.”
