'Nothing immoral' in PRRD kissing Pinay OFW in SK
Published Jun 5, 2018 04:16 pm
By Genalyn Kabiling
SEOUL - There was "nothing immoral" when President Duterte kissed a married woman on the lips while on a visit to South Korea, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Roque, speaking to reporters here, said the kissing incident was “intended to please the Filipino crowd” gathered to meet the President last Sunday, adding that the concerned lady has not complained about it. "I don’t think there’s anything immoral. After all the President has reiterated he is single," Roque said during a press conference on the sidelines of the President's visit to South Korea. "If there was anyone who should complain its should be only the woman who was kissed and she is not complaining," he said. "If she is not complaining, i don't think anyone should." Roque said the woman, identified as Bea Kim, went on record that she was proud to be up close and personal with the President. He also sought to put an end to the controversy given the lady felt the kiss was harmless. "The President has had a policy of doing the way he does because he does things, the way he does things, and if some people are offended so be it," he said. "But in this instance we have to highlight the woman had nothing to say but positive things about the experience lets leave it to that," he added. The President asked a woman to gave a woman a friendly kiss on the lips in a light moment during a meeting with the Filipino community last Sunday. The lady was one of the recipients of the book "Altar of Secrets" given by the President during the event. Duterte asked for a kiss in exchange of the book and the lady readily agreed. Kim, in a video posted by the Philippine News Agency on Facebook, claimed that there was no malice in the kiss with the President. She said the President asked for permission before giving her a smack on the lips. The President's gesture however drew flak from some groups, including women activists who deplored his alleged misogynistic behavior.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.(YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Roque, speaking to reporters here, said the kissing incident was “intended to please the Filipino crowd” gathered to meet the President last Sunday, adding that the concerned lady has not complained about it. "I don’t think there’s anything immoral. After all the President has reiterated he is single," Roque said during a press conference on the sidelines of the President's visit to South Korea. "If there was anyone who should complain its should be only the woman who was kissed and she is not complaining," he said. "If she is not complaining, i don't think anyone should." Roque said the woman, identified as Bea Kim, went on record that she was proud to be up close and personal with the President. He also sought to put an end to the controversy given the lady felt the kiss was harmless. "The President has had a policy of doing the way he does because he does things, the way he does things, and if some people are offended so be it," he said. "But in this instance we have to highlight the woman had nothing to say but positive things about the experience lets leave it to that," he added. The President asked a woman to gave a woman a friendly kiss on the lips in a light moment during a meeting with the Filipino community last Sunday. The lady was one of the recipients of the book "Altar of Secrets" given by the President during the event. Duterte asked for a kiss in exchange of the book and the lady readily agreed. Kim, in a video posted by the Philippine News Agency on Facebook, claimed that there was no malice in the kiss with the President. She said the President asked for permission before giving her a smack on the lips. The President's gesture however drew flak from some groups, including women activists who deplored his alleged misogynistic behavior.