With All His Gross and Offensive Remarks, Does Duterte Enjoy Teflon Effect?

With All His Gross and Offensive Remarks, Does Duterte Enjoy Teflon Effect?

Defying rules on propriety and time honored values that most Filipinos hold dear, Rody Duterte had crossed the lines with offensive remarks that would have disastrous result for any other candidate.

Let us start with his impatience on being delayed by the traffic due to the Pope’s arrival.  Uttering a vernacular curse descriptive of one’s maternal origin, he did not mind stepping on the toes of 90% Filipino churchgoers who a few months ago showed awe and respect for the pontiff.

In a recent rally in Quezon City, he arouses the ire of thousands in narrating how an Australian missionary was gang raped and killed by prisoners during an outbreak of prisoners in Davao in 1989. Duterte was shown on videotape stating “she was so beautiful, I thought , the mayor should have been first.” At a time when there is worldwide movement for the respect for women, the remarks described by many as “revolting and crass” elicited outrage from women’s group and the public.

Speaking before an audience obviously aware that the Mexican ambassador was  in the audience, he warned that it was not safe to travel in countries like Mexico “given the kidnapping and drug related crimes in the country.” He did not learn from the lesson of Pacquiao who lost support from LGBT community, by describing another presidential candidate as “bayot” questioning his masculinity.

Candidates walk gingerly to avoid stepping on deeply seated values that voters will certainly find offensive.  Duterte who seemingly appeal to a core audience  was able to sidestep the peril of losing support from the public even  consistently topping surveys, with highly offensive pronouncements against opponents and groups.  

With Teflon–like ability, all his verbal mishaps have not tarnished his image seemingly.  What is offensive and acceptable are determined by agreement on beliefs and ideals by group members.  These norms define what should be passed on from generation to the next.  Rape or any form of physical and verbal abuse of women is unacceptable.  He has stepped on toes of his opponents; verbally insulted religious leaders respected by most Filipinos, offended friendly nation and defiantly state that he would rather lose the election than ask for forgiveness.

The core supporters of Duterte many surprisingly from the middle to upper-middle economic class close ranks especially in the social websites to defend him. With the impact of media content that caters to the lowest denominator, audience standards for taste and behavior has gone south.  Those expected to practice decorum and propriety conveniently lace campaign speeches with the crudest jokes and vernacular curse words.

The moral courage of several Catholic bishops exercising their spiritual leadership did not mince words in identifying aspirants who do not deserve to occupy the country’s highest position.  TV commentators and opinion writers live up to its job as watchdog in calling for discipline what its mass audience consider as taboo in civilized settings.  Showing disdain at opponents and critics who claims he “is not morally fit to be president for utter disrespect for women,” Duterte shrugged his shoulder declaring that he would rather lose the election than apologize for those irreverent remarks.

Attack Ad (apparently against Duterte, Binay, and Poe) Masked as Advocacy

Attack Ad (apparently against Duterte Binay and Grace) Masked as Advocacy

I take my hat off to the imaginative writer who created this attack ad parading itself as guide for choosing the deserving candidate for president. With negative ad against opponents taboo in Philippine election campaign, it takes imagination to skirt around the rule. This impractical prohibition has deprived ad strategists an effective tool to inform voters of the frailties and weaknesses of candidates.

If one listens carefully to the questions posed by the young girls and boy who seek the advise of elders, it is obvious who are being referred to.

With moral lessons from their elders (Tatay, Nanay, Lolo and Lola) the children were told that it is cardinal sin to steal (huwag magnakaw at mangupit) murder (huwag papatay). Later putting emphasis that there are candidates running for the highest position who are “magnanakaw, mangungupit, papatay ng tao at hindi pa handa,” The names do not have to be spelled out to figure out who they are.

It was a clever execution that goes around the TV network that insists only strength and worthwhile traits be played up in ads. With the flood of issues for and against candidates, audience forms opinion on whom to support. There are column feeds, derogatory comments and slanted press releases that show opponents in bad light. It is almost impossible to trace comments in social media that borders on the libelous. Even if regulatory and legal bodies insist that statements against opponents toe the line, they filter out and create impression that label personalities.

In swaying opinion propagandists simply reinforce what exist in the mind. What makes this ad, which ostensibly promotes a specific candidate, free from liability, is it did not mention names. As we have always pushed for attack ads as long as content can be substantiated be allowed in Philippine elections.

Media Must Allow Attack Ads in Philippine Political Campaign

Media Must Allow Attack Ads in Philippine Political Campaign

Viewers are not given a glimpse at the character of a candidate who curses the Pope or another who has been charged for pocketing billions for overprice. Nor one who defended a religious sect whose members mass demonstrations blocked traffic and caused thousands to walk home. These dark sides of those vying for public office are prohibited to come to light in political ads. As currently practiced it is verboten to attack opponents by playing up their dishonesty, poor public record or immorality.

In the promotion of products and services, the Philippine Adboard made up of representatives from media, advertisers, agencies and production company practice review of the content of television and radio ads prior to production. Ad agencies that translate selling ideas into words and pictures are required to submit television storyboard and radio scripts to check the truthfulness of their claims and if they adhere to standards set by the body.

However on political advertising the responsibility of reviewing ads rests upon the networks themselves. They form their own internal review board that determines if contents adhere strictly to its standards. No attack ads are allowed and claims are limited to the positive attributes of the candidate.

The practice solely plays up what make the candidates smell like roses depriving the viewers a glimpse of warts he is trying to hide. Due to the prevailing rule, the voters are deprived facts and information that helps him arrive at a wise decision whom to vote for. Even with litany of charges that the candidate had pocketed billions in overprice and bribes his opponent cannot label him as a thief.

Most candidates employ a phalanx of publicists and strategists who resort to whatever it takes to have media reporters and commentators in their pockets. Mudslinging using unfounded gossips and all available dirty tricks is resorted to smear personalities in social media and broadsheets. With attack ads employed in mass media, the networks can require valid substantiation and those subject to negative ads have all opportunities to repudiate and launch their own. If their claims are not based on facts they can be sued for libel in court.