Palace defends obscene remarks of Andanar, Panelo
October 26, 2017 | 1:37pm
President Rodrigo Duterte does his signature pose with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, and the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the Presidential Communications Operations Office during the relaunching of the Malacañang Press Briefing Room at the New Executive Building (NEB) on October 12, 2017. Albert Alcain/Presidential Photo
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Thursday defended the two Cabinet secretaries who drew flak for their sexual jokes, saying they were just trying to reach out to their audience.
Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo stirred controversy recently for cracking jokes that some sectors found inappropriate.
Andanar told Filipinos in the United Kingdom that officials of the European Union lack sex or “kulang pa sa iyot.” The EU has expressed concerns over the deaths tied to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs.
Panelo, meanwhile, told the Swiss National Public Radio and Television Southeast Asia that he was “better in bed.” The presidential legal adviser also claimed to have been told that he f***s like an 18-year-old when he was still a bachelor.
Andanar said his remark was made in jest while Panelo said he was just interplaying words to make his interviewers laugh.
Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Andanar and Panelo were just trying to connect with their audience.
“I think we need to be able to see in the light of these officials… attempting to relay it in a more personal manner with the intended audience,” Abella said in a press briefing Thursday.
Asked if the jokes of Andanar and Panelo were acceptable, Abella said: “Well, I suppose the levels of acceptance differ. And, you know, the cultural landscape continues to evolve… So if you’re asking what is acceptable, then you know, it all depends on what kinds of standards you’re asking.”
“I am not implying any bias. I’m simply saying, that apparently, the secretary was trying to relate in a manner that seemed to him appropriate to the culture...I’m not the judge of the acceptability regarding that matter,” he added.
Abella on his way out?
In a related development, Abella was mum on talks that Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque is about to replace him as presidential spokesman.
“There is nothing official regarding the matter,” he said when asked to react to the issue.
Abella just laughed when asked if he would stay as presidential spokesman.
Previous reports said Duterte was not happy with the way Abella handled the messaging on his lower satisfaction and trust ratings.
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