US TV show airs portrayal of ‘unconventional president’ amid Philippine protest

MANILA, Philippines — Broadcaster CBS Corp. aired the controversial episode of its TV series “Madam Secretary,” despite the protest of the Philippine Embassy.

The episode, which aired on Sunday (US time), had a character purported to be President Rodrigo Duterte. He was depicted as an “unconventional new president.”

The 20-second teaser of “Madam Secretary” season 3, episode 15 titled “Break in Diplomacy,” showed the supposed Philippine leader wearing a Barong Tagalog. The scene notably showed the Philippine flag.

The TV show in its latest tweet also posted a photo of the supposed president wearing a red plaid shirt, similar to the polo shirt worn by Duterte during the May 9 elections. Duterte is known for wearing plaid polo shirts.

“How’s the nose?”-Elizabeth #MadamSecretary pic.twitter.com/S3djo3W0QF

— Madam Secretary (@MadamSecretary) March 13, 2017

In this May 9, 2016 photo, front-running presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte clenches his fist prior to voting in a polling precinct at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School at Matina district, his hometown in Davao city in southern Philippines. AP/Bullit Marquez

While it is fictional, the Philippine government reacted negatively on the teaser last week.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington condemned how the episode showed the supposed Philippine president committing inappropriate behavior toward the female lead character, the US state secretary. The top American diplomat was also seen punching the Philippine president after the latter went too far.

“When a foreign leader crosses the line the secretary of State is forced into a break in Diplomacy,” the teaser said.

In her Twitter account, “Madam Secretary” lead actress Téa Leoni reacted to a Mashable article titled “People are furious that 'Madam Secretary' will feature a lecherous Filipino president” and seemingly denied that the supposed leader was Duterte.

Funny, I had someone else in mind… #relaxduerte https://t.co/JJvFqUZoLx

— Téa Leoni (@TeaLeoni) March 7, 2017