Duterte allies defend rape slur, slam Aquino admin

CEBU, Philippines - The new allies of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte came into his defense on his controversial rape statement that is earning flack in and out of the country.

One Cebu gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia, for one, said the statement should be taken in proper context.

"It was a joke," he said. "It should be taken in that context. It was a joke. Although not a proper joke but still it is a joke," Garcia said.

At the sidelines of the formal launch of the alliance between Duterte's PDP-Laban and Garcia's One Cebu Party, several candidates continued to pledge their support for the Davao City mayor, among whom is former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña.

Osmeña was active in calling for a federal form of government during his presidential bid in the 1990s. Duterte, too, is advocating the same.

Last night, Osmeña said he need not campaign for Duterte because the mayor is reportedly winning the race.

When this happens, he said, Malacañang will be speaking in Cebuano.

Osmeña also criticized the Aquino administration for privatizing the Mactan Cebu International Airport but bringing majority of its earnings to Manila. — (FREEMAN)