By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang has crafted its own definition of the word “duterte,” saying it actually means “honest," “courageous" and “incorruptible."
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo gave a new meaning to the word to counter the negative definition posted on Urban Dictionary website.
"If that dictionary definition of duterte refers to the President, then we have our own definition of the man which is exactly the opposite of what that dictionary gives," he said during a news conference at the Palace.
"Duterte, to us, means honest, incorruptible, politically-willed person, courageous, selfless, honest, transparent, and all good things that come," he added.
In the crowdsourced online dictionary, the top definition of the verb "duterte" is "to scam, trick, con or use unscrupulous means to an end; betray."
As an adjective, duterte means "deceptive, sly, fake, corrupt, crooked; treacherous; of low quality." As a noun, it is defined as a "scam, sham or rip-off; a traitor."
The latest definition of “duterte" was submitted by a netizen last month.
Panelo said he was not familiar with the Urban Dictionary, saying the definition the word was "false news." He said he was aware of known dictionaries like Merriam-Webster.