Duterte does not mind criticism, laments press 'prostitution'

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he does not mind being called names by the media as it is part of his job as a public servant but lamented what he described as “prostitution of journalism” in the country.

 

“Some might call me s**t or an a****le but it doesn’t matter. If we reverse the situation, your children will get hurt,” the president said during the oath-taking of the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, the Malacañang Cameramen Association and the Presidential Photojournalists Association.

 

“That’s the only problem I think because a president and all others in public office are public properties,” he added.

 

Duterte said those working for government should just bear such criticisms while performing their duties.

 

“You just have to swallow them and your only reward is that you have served your country,” he said.

 

Journalists are actually not allowed to call the subjects of reports names.

 

Duterte, however, hinted that some journalists are being used by politicians to pursue their agenda. He cited his fiercest critic Sen. Leila de Lima, whom he said is trying to divert attention away from her supposed link to the illegal drugs trade.

 

“She (de Lima) is passing that responsibility to another forum,” the president said.

 

“And because of the generated you know… the prostitution of journalism. They gave contacts here and there.”

 

De Lima has been accused of receiving millions from drug lords inside the National Bilibid Prisons NBP when she was Justice secretary. Formal charges have yet to be filed but Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has said that the government is building up its case against her and others.

 

NBP inmates told lawmakers in a House hearing last week that drug money was used to bankroll de Lima’s senatorial bid. De Lima has denied the allegations and claimed that Duterte was discrediting her because she is critical of his war on drugs.

 

Duterte is unfazed by criticisms hurled at him through the media, saying he is just doing his job as president.

 

“I am not the mayor who will please a world body,” he said.

The tough-talking Duterte has had a love-hate relationship with the media.

 

He has said in the past that journalists have spun stories to make him look bad. Palace officials have also said more than once that Duterte's remarks were misunderstood by reporters or were taken out of context. 

 

Last week, he appealed to his followers not to threaten journalists who write stories critical of his demonstration, saying "we should also not threaten people because they won’t be able to write about the truth."

 

READ: Rody to supporters: Don't harass journalists

 

Duterte refused to grant media interviews last June after he was criticized for saying that some slain journalists were involved in extortion. Some media watchdogs interpreted Dutere’s remark as an endorsement of media killings and demanded that he apologize for it.

 

Duterte ended the boycott last August 1.

 

During a courtesy call by the editors and reporters of The STAR on August 3, Duterte said he does not mind criticism as long as these have basis.

 

“As long as there is a semblance of truth, go ahead,” the president said.

 

“I am just your worker. That’s true.”