Malacañang advised the public to not be like Americans who give too much meaning to everything and learn to take jokes for what they are---jokes.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reminded President Duterte and other government officials who joked about sex and womanizing during a post-typhoon briefing in calamity-hit Camarines Sur that women objectification is a form of violence.
In his Monday presser, Roque said that people should learn to not give too much meaning to the President's jokes as they are harmless.
(YANCY LIM / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Ganoon lang talaga si Presidente at hindi na siya pwedeng magbago (The President is just like that and he will not change anymore) because he's already in his 70s," he said.
"Pero wala pong malice ang mga jokes niya (But his jokes have no malice)," he added.
Roque likewise appealed to Filipinos to not be like Americans who give too much meaning to everything.
"Ang pakiusap ko po, 'wag tayong parang Amerikano. Ang mga Amerikano kasi lahat binibigyan ng napakalalim na kahulugan (I ask you, let us not be like Americans. Americans tend to give too much meaning to everything)," he said.
"Dito po naman sa Pilipinas (Here in the Philippines), let's take a joke for what it is--a joke," he added.
Despite his jokes, Roque said the President has a clear track record when it comes to upholding the rights of women.
"He stands by his track record lalong-lalo na noong siya po ay mayor ng (especially when he served as mayor of) Davao City for almost 30 years," he said.
"Davao really stands out as a model city when it comes to upholding and asserting women's rights, reproductive rights, and providing them security against domestic violence," he added.
During the situation briefing on the effects of Typhoon Ulysses in Camarines Sur on November 15, President Duterte exchanged jokes about sex and womanizing with Social Welfare Undersecretary for Bicol Affairs Marvel Clavecilla, during which, other officials could be heard laughing.
In a statement, the CHR said trivialization and normalization of sex jokes about women should not be tolerated nor excused, especially as the Philippines is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
In July last year, President Duterte actually signed the "Safe Spaces Act" which penalizes acts of gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces and online venues such as catcalling, sexual slurs, and unwanted invitations, among others.