Duterte’s meeting with Filipino community in Japan sealed with kisses

President Duterte kisses a Filipina during his meeting with the Filipino community in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday. Photo by Nestor Corrales / INQUIRER.net

TOKYO – The presence of his partner Honeylet Avanceña did not stop President Rodrigo Duterte from being playful and cozy during his meeting with the Filipino community here.

Towards the end of his more than two-hour speech, some of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) here shouted “Daddy, kiss, hug,” which caught the attention of the President.

After declaring that Avanceña was his “one and only,” Duterte asked for volunteers to kiss him.

“Sino ngayon ang mag-volunteer? Unang-una wala kang asawa, ha? Pangalawa, hindi ka menor de edad. Ikaw, ma’am, mag-smooch ka,” he  said.

The President invited five ladies on stage and kissed them on the cheek, with Avanceña seated nearby.

“Sige na para makauwi na tayo. Anyone of you. Kiss lang. Halika na, ma’am. Silang apat, halika. Pasudla na. Sige na pasudla na. ( Let them in. Come on. Let them in) Halika na. O ako bababa?” he said.

After kissing the five OFWs, he then said in  jest, “O mga biyuda naman. Biyuda ka? Biyuda, biyuda?”

The 74-year old President sparked a controversy in June 2018 when he kissed a married overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Seoul, south Korea during a meeting with the Filipino community there.

Malacañang defended Duterte from criticisms, saying it was just a “playful act,” which is accepted in Filipino culture. /gsg

READ: Palace on Duterte kissing an OFW: It’s a playful act accepted in Filipino culture

WATCH: #PresidentDuterte kisses 5 OFWs during his meeting with the Filipino Community here in Japan. Honeylet Avanceña is sitting on the stage. #DuterteInJapan @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/J9LxfqS4yd

— Nestor A. Corrales (@NCorralesINQ) May 30, 2019