MALABON CITY – In what may appear to be a pro-LGBTQIA statement, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte said that LGBTQIA community members have nothing to be ashamed of because they are also made by God.

During the proclamation rally of PDP-LABAN candidates in Malabon City, Duterte also said that he has family members who are members of the LGBTQIA community, including two brothers-in-law (“dalawa kong bayaw, kapatid ng asawa ko, first wife ko, bakla”).”

Duterte is known for off the cuff remarks, and in Malabon City, even claiming not to want to give any speeches but just to “converse” with the people.

To contextualize, though, Duterte’s statement was but part of a longer speech that was still riddled with misogynistic statements (e.g. “lending of a wife to another man who is still able to get an erection), as well as stereotypes on SOGIE (e.g. disbelief in a “macho” gay guy being the “woman” in a relationship).

All the same, Duterte stressed: “God created all of us. Male, female, tomboy, pati bakla(lesbians and even gay men). Bakit man natin i-ano ‘yan (Why would we question/criticize that)?”