Like throwing a rock into a lake to create ripples, President Rodrigo Duterte’s kiss on an OFW’s lips created a seemingly endless surge of criticism and comment, not only for the act itself but for the consequent actions of other people.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Senator Win Gatchalian, Communication Assistant Secretary Lorraine Badoy, and many other staunch pro-Duterte supporters chimed in their defense of the kiss. But it was when Communication Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson jumped in with her take on the matter, that matter took a, shall we say, interesting turn.
On June 4, Uson posted an 18-second video on her Facebook page showing footage of first, the Duterte kiss, and second, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino on his ill-fated flight back to the Philippines being bussed by two women on the plane.
The caption was: “Masagwa daw ito??? [Duterte] Pero ito hindi??? [Ninoy] Paki-explain???”
Ninoy Aquino’s daughter, media personality Kris Aquino, immediately went on social media herself to defend her father’s memory. In a long post, she challenged Uson to lambast her directly rather than dragging her father into the fray that, quite correctly, had nothing at all to do with the late senator.
Kris followed that with a video from Japan, where she is currently on travel, daring Uson to a one-on-one dialogue. “Bring your followers—I can stand alone,” she said. Daughter and sister to two Philippine presidents, Kris asked Uson to leave her dead parents out of her bashing because they can no longer defend themselves.
Kris subsequently sent a text message to Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, referring to their friendship and confessing that Uson’s post had hurt her deeply. Go said that after discussing the matter with President Duterte, an apology from Uson would be forthcoming. Duterte himself said, “Tell her we are sorry for the incident,” and Go likewise relayed his own apologies.
Uson, however, refused to apologize. Yesterday afternoon, at about 4:30 pm, Uson posted a 22-second live response to Aquino, saying, “This is not about Kris Aquino. Tungkol ito sa paglagay-malisya sa isang halik. Itinumbas lang sa gawain ng ibang lider tulad ng tatay niya. Miss Aquino, this is not about you.”
Uson followed that after an hour with this status: “With all due respect to everyone involved, I decline to apologize for the truth.”
Well, this puts SAP Bong Go on the spot. It’s an embarrassing position for him (and the President). He had assured Kris that there would be an apology from Mocha. He and the President himself said “sorry” though they had nothing to do with Uson’s video.
Go also said that Uson had told him her video only meant to show how “well-loved” both leaders are. But she is now on record saying that yes, she did mean to compare kisses.
So here’s their prized propagandist— a government official, no less—balking at their instruction to apologize. The defiance is shattering.
While Uson’s Duterte-Ninoy video garnered thousands of likes and shares on FB, there were some of the page’s readers that took exception to it, among them Ruben E.: “Hay naku Mocha. Did Ninoy ask for it? Was he a president? Kasi kung ‘no’ ang sagot mo sa dalawa, you are guilty of making false analogies.”
Very well put. Uson’s logic once again falls short. She’s comparing apples to carabaos. Duterte’s kiss was a power play, a show of dominance and control. He would not let the woman off the stage until she acquiesced, a typical female strategy to avoid conflict by accommodating. Ninoy was kissed by the two women; he did not ask for it.
Here’s another interesting twist: when Go was asked by a reporter yesterday whether he thought Uson was still an asset to the administration rather than a liability, he answered, “No comment.”
Now that’s a strong message without saying anything. Has it finally dawned on the President and his advisors that Uson is a loose cannon doing more harm than good with her antics? Will her defiant stance lead to a chastisement or even a firing?
This drama isn’t over, because Kris has yet to reply, and perhaps Go and Roque might have something else to say. There might be another potshot from Uson. The question now is, sino ngayon ang masusunod—si Mocha? The President and Go? Kris? Ang taumbayan? Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!
In this ridiculous and surreal drama that is Philippine politics/showbiz, your guess is as good as mine. Let’s see what happens next. Kissgate is certainly more entertaining than any teleserye. Pass the popcorn.
Dr. Ortuoste is a writer and communication consultant. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO