President Rodrigo Duterte drew flak in the House of Representatives following his admission that he was joking when he made a 2016 campaign promise that he would “jet ski” his way to the Spratlys and plant the Philippine flag there as a manifestation of the country’s claims over the West Philippine Sea.

Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Magdalo Partylist Rep. Manuel Cabochan said that for openly admitting he was joking about his campaign promise, Duterte had also confessed deceiving Filipinos.

“Many did not take it literally then that he will actually jetski himself to the Spratly's and plant the Philippine flag. The expectation was for him, when elected, is to uphold our claims and defend our sovereign rights against China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea,” said Zarate.

“The presidency is not a joke,” he stressed.

According to Zarate Duterte’s admission had made “all his promises, endorsements and even his utterances now a s worthless or mere jokes.
 “He made it very clear now, then, that his failing presidency is anchored, among others, on a tragic, sick joke."

“We are seeing now how Pres. Duterte duped the people by telling them what they want to hear when he was then still courting their votes, but, once in power, he does an about face and did the opposite," said the progressive leader.

Zarate noted that aside from the “jetski bravado”, Duterte has also failed to deliver campaign promises that he would end the drug problem in “three months”, terminate the practice of labor contractualization or Endo, solve the EDSA traffic, eradicate corruption and pursue peace negotiations.

“The Filipino people are not stupid. The 16M who voted for Duterte were deceived big time,” said Cabochan in a separate statrement.

“Duterte intentionally lied to the people. He betrayed their trust” Cabochan added.