Yes, we know, we’re going to get slammed for this for making a big deal out of something that will probably be dismissed as “just a joke” or “normal.”
But just like the times when we cringed each time former president Noynoy Aquino brought up his love life, we can’t help but have the same sort of reaction to this kind of encounter when it involves the most powerful man in the land.
Technically, Duterte is a bachelor. The annulment of his marriage to Elizabeth Zimmerman was granted in 2000. His partner is identified as Honeylet Avanceña, but they are not legally married. Perhaps, this is why it seems fine for him to engage in banter that could be categorized as “flirtatious.”
A Philippine Daily Inquirer report reveals that Duterte “provided some comic relief” in an Aug 24, press briefing in Davao City “when he invited PTV-4 reporter Lala Babilonia for a snack of the fruit durian, after replying to her question about the unilateral ceasefire declared by the communist rebels.”
As per the Inquirer, their exchange went like this:
Duterte had told Babilonia: “Ma’am, I am inviting you. Do you eat durian?”
Babilonia: “Of course, sir.”
Duterte: “Of course? Then we should be together, of course also. You can catch up with us later.”
Then, when the 40-minute news briefing was done, Duterte again reportedly sought out Babilonia and said: “What about us ma’am?”
Babilonia: “Grabe sir… Pag-ibig agad?” (That’s too much sir… You’re already talking about love?)
Duterte: “Walang grabe-grabe sa pag-ibig. Ano ka man?” (“There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to love. What are you talking about?”)
But it doesn’t end there.
When Babilonia asked if the supposed traffic enforcer, whom the President claimed had a romantic relationship with Sen. Leila De Lima, was also involved in the illegal drug trade, Duterte said: “They say he is (De Lima’s) new lover. Just like what will happen to us.”
