Salvador Panelo reacts to Rodrigo Duterte’s catcalling.
Incoming presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s catcalling GMA-7 News reporter Mariz Umali during a press conference on Tuesday does not mean to offend her.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Salvador Panelo defended the Davao City Mayor, saying that the whistling only means that he loves her.
“Mayor Duterte is a very kind, playful individual. Pag siya’y pumito, ibig sabihin he’s fond of you, ibig sabihin mahal ka niya, kaya ka binibiro. Hindi po isang pambabastos yun,” he said.
Panelo said that Umali should not take it as offensive, but a compliment. “On the contrary, the receiver of that should be complimented,” he added.
The catcalling incident took place during a press conference in Davao City last Tuesday. When Umali asked about his cabinet appointees, Duterte interrupted his question and suddenly whistled and broke into a short serenade.
Yesterday, Mariz Umali issued a statement about the incident. Umali said that she is not expecting any apology from Duterte and she is trying to understand him.
“It may have been improper for a president-elect but, of course, we will continue to do our job and we are not expecting any apology from him personally,” she was quoted saying.
Meanwhile, Umali’s husband and GMA-7 News anchor Raffy Tima also reacted to the incident to defend his wife. Tima was apparently dismayed by the gestures of incoming president and other reporters during the press conference.