President Rodrigo Duterte are loved by many, but this does not mean that he’s a role model for young children.
Palace Spokesman Harry Roque admitted on Thursday that the President, who is known for his cursing and vulgar statements, is not necessarily one that children should emulate.
“Hindi naman natin sinasabi iyon (that Duterte should not be a role model for kids) pero nand’yan ang mga magulang. Sa tingin ko po ang mga magulang talaga ang dapat nagtuturo ng tamang conduct.” (We are not saying that it should be the case, but the parents are there. I believe the parents should be the ones teaching their children proper conduct.)
Roque made the statement in response to the pronouncement of Alliance of Concerned Teachers, which said that it would be a challenge for the administration to teach good manners and right conduct to students under the tough-talking Duterte.
ACT’s statement came following the proposal of the Department of Education to incorporate good manners and right conduct in the curriculum of students as it launches a review of the K-12 program.
Roque also defended Duterte’s manners, saying it shows that the President is genuine, a trait he said has endeared him to many Filipinos.
“Ang Presidente hindi plastic. Tumakbo siya ganyan na siya. Ang sinabi niya, ‘huwag niyo ako asahan magbago,’” he said.
“Tingin ko alam ng lipunan kung sino ang hinalal nilang presidente. Tanggap nila ang Presidente for who he is.”
(The President is genuine. He was already like that when he ran for office. He said, ‘don’t expect me to change.’ The voters knew who they were voting for. They accepted the President for who he is.)