Rody: Selfies with men might make me gay

MANILA, Philippines - The tough talking, crime-busting President Duterte – known for his macho image – joked on Saturday about ending up gay because of the number of male supporters who ask for selfies with him. 

During his meeting with the Filipino community in Hong Kong, Duterte asked who would like to join him in Beijing, the venue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, before saying he would only allow women to join him in the trip.  

Duterte later poked fun at his male supporters who ask him for photo opportunities.  

“At saka ’yung mag-selfie, ’yung mga lalaki de-bigote pa tapos mag-selfie ipatong ’yung mukha niya sa akin (Those taking selfies, males with moustaches, when they take the ‘selfie,’ they press their face against mine),” the President said, drawing cheers from the audience.  

“Maging bakla ako nito pagka… I-ngud-ngod pa nila ’yung mukha nila. Eh kung lalaki ganun lang, kung saan ’yung mukha mo eh ganun, i-ganun pa. Hindi pa mag-ahit (I might turn gay if they press their face too close to mine. Some of them did not even shave),” he added.  

“Kung maging bakla ang Presidente ninyo wala tayong magawa. Dahil ’yan sa selfie-selfie (if your president becomes gay, we can’t do anything about that. Blame the selfie).”  

In a television interview in 2015, Duterte said he used to be gay but has since been “reformed.” Pointing out that he had nothing against homosexuals, he noted that two of his brothers-in-law and some of his cousins are gay. 

About 900 migrant workers and expatriates were present during Duterte’s meeting with the Filipino community at the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong. Hundreds of OFWs were not able to enter the venue because of limited space.  

While he has been criticized for supposedly being sexist, Duterte could not help but joke about women during the meeting.  

“Hiwalay ako sa asawa ko. Kanina pa ang mata ko ang likot sige tingin-tingin (I am separated from my wife. My eyes keep on looking around),” the President said. 

Duterte also claimed that Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III gives free hotel reservations to attractive women, adding that the man owns Marco Polo Hotel.

“Kung maganda ka at nandiyan siya lapitan mo lang (If you are beautiful and he is there, just approach him) and say ‘Mr. Secretary, do you remember me I saw you in Hong Kong?’ Sabihin niyan (He will tell you), ‘Do you have a reservation?’ ‘No.’ ‘I’ll give you one,’” the President said. “Pero kung magsabi (but if he says), ‘nice meeting you,’ tapos titindig, medyo hindi ka niya type (and he stands to leave, you are not his type).”  

Duterte admitted that not everyone tolerates his wisecracks about women. 

He said his daughter Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte would get angry if she hears his jokes.  

“She (Sara) will stand up and say it’s sexist. It’s a slur against women,” Duterte said. 

“Titindig ’yan, harap-harapan. Eh maldita ’yan (She will stand up before me. She is that feisty).”  

Duterte drew flak last year for his remark about the 1989 rape and murder of an Australian missionary in Davao City where he served as mayor for more than 23 years.