MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday joked that Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson is lucky to be able to doze off beside Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
Duterte was referring to a viral video of Singson and Gray in the waiting room of Filipino boxing icon and Sen. Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas last weekend.
The video showed Singson dozing off and leaning towards the shoulder of Gray, who was busy fiddling with her mobile phone. The beauty queen noticed and Singson suddenly woke up. Both shared a laugh after the incident.
Singson and the Miss Universe Organization, in which he is a business partner, brought Gray to Las Vegas to watch Pacquiao's fight with American boxer Keith Thurman.
"We do not have that kind of opportunity [sit beside a beauty queen] to be. Ikaw ‘yon, Sir [Singson], ang palagi eh (We do not have that kind of opportunity unlike you)," Duterte told Singson in his speech during the inauguration of the Candon City Bypass Road in Ilocos Sur.
"So we can only say good luck and may the next mission be accomplished," Duterte added, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Watch Duterte, known for his sexist remarks and antics, poked fun at Singson over his "Galawang Chavit" video.