Locsin calls Robredo boba, apologizes

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. called Vice President Leni Robredo “boba” (stupid) after the latter slammed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ decision to cancel courtesy diplomatic passports issued to former officials and diplomats.

“Robredo warns against cancellation of diplomatic passports of former gov’t officials HEY, BOBA, THAT IS PRECISELY WHY I HAVE ORDERED THE CANCELLATION OF ALL COURTESY DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS BECAUSE I REFUSE TO SINGLE OUT DEL ROSARIO,” Locsin said on Twitter.

He urged others “to give her a brain.”

“Will someone please do her the kindness to give her a brain? Here I am trying to do what’s right, which is to restrict diplomatic passports to real existing working diplomats so as not to devalue them abroad – and not pass them out as favors to retirees & friends,” Locsin said.

The country’s top diplomat, however, immediately apologized to Robredo for being “disrespectful.” He called the Vice President the  “rightful successor of DU (President Duterte) under the Constitution” who really won the election by huge 200,000 votes after criticizing her.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful Ma’am. You are just a missing heartbeat away from the Presidency. I respect you for that accident of fortune. But there are things that require a measure of study and thought. Please ask me next time. At your service, Ma’am,” Locsin tweeted.

“That’s no way for a gentleman to speak to a lady. Apologies,” he said.

“She is our Vice President. I have apologized. She is the only successor to the President. Elections alone determine who takes what post; not public sentiment. Besides she really won the election. 200,000 is huge,” he added.

Netizens reacted to Locsin’s insult and criticism of the Vice President.

“It is so un428 that you were given the position of a diplomat. Nawala ang finesse niyo, baka one of these days pati bait sa sarili niyo mawawala na rin! Nawala rin ang rispeto sa babae, VP pa man din! Meron ka bang mahal sa buhay na babae? Will you allow others to insult them?” a netizen said.

Another netizen posted: “Unfortunately sir this is the internet, kung saan free for all. And sorry with the way you acted, very ungentlemanly. Disappointing. Hope this will not happen again. Salamat po.”