MANILA, Philippines – After calling his predecessor gago (stupid), President Rodrigo Duterte was criticized by Benigno Aquino III’s former spokesperson, who described the chief executive’s behavior as a reflection of his “uncouthness,” which in Tagalog is roughly equivalent to kabastusan.
“To call PNoy gago is not a reflection of PNoy’s argument. It is a reflection (of) your uncouthness. Cursing never elevates public discourse,” Edwin Lacierda said in his tweet on Thursday, August 3.
To call PNoy gago is not a reflection on PNoy's argument. It is a reflection your of uncouthness. Cursing never elevates public discourse.
— Edwin Lacierda (@dawende) August 3, 2017
On Wednesday, Duterte, in his speech during the anniversary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, cursed Aquino after his predecessor criticized his war on drugs campaign. The President even threatened to behead the former chief executive if he would get involved in illegal drugs.
“Sabi ni PNoy, parang walang nangyari. Sige, pumasok ka sa droga, PNoy, kapag hindi kita pinutulan ng ulo, buang ka [PNoy said it seemed that nothing happened. Go ahead, get involved in drugs and I would behead you, stupid],” said Duterte.
“Anong walang nangyari? Gago ka nga. Mga generals mo, ‘yong aide mo. ‘Yong aide ni Roxas puro nasa droga, konektado [What did you say that nothing happened? You’re a fool. Your generals, your aide, and (Mar) Roxas’ aide are connected to illegal drugs],” he added.
In another tweet on Thursday, Lacierda said that while Duterte is proud of being able to deliver unrehearsed speeches, not one of those talks is worth remembering.
“You pride yourself in delivering impromptu speeches w/c PNoy has done on a number of events. No wonder none of your speeches are memorable,” he said.
You pride yourself in delivering impromptu speeches w/c PNoy has done on a number of events. No wonder none of your speeches are memorable.
— Edwin Lacierda (@dawende) August 3, 2017
A Palace official said it was Lacierda’s right to make his views known and Malacañang couldn’t do anything if Aquino’s former spokesperson thought that way.
“Opinyon po ni former spokesperson Lacierda ‘yan and anybody naman can always air their opinion anytime. So kung ‘yon po ang opinyon niya, wala po tayong magagawa,” Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said on Thursday.
