Duterte slams Winnie Monsod for column patronizing admin’s anti-poverty campaign

President Rodrigo Duterte slammed economist Winnie Monsod for her column that analyzed the recent poverty statistics released by the government.

A former socioeconomic planning secretary, Monsod commended the Duterte administration in her December 14 column for lifting 5.9 million people out of poverty between 2015 and 2018.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters on Monday Duterte’s message to Monsod.

“The President asked me to give his response to this columnist. He said: ‘Tell her I hate being patronized! F—k you!’” the Palace official said.

Monsod inquired about the state of rural poverty and reminded Duterte that the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 targeted to address rural poverty as well.

“Aren’t you surprised suddenly this columnist is heaping praise on the President?” Panelo said.

“From the time this President assumed office, she has not said any good word and then suddenly there is praising. There must be some reason. Is she laying a predicate?”

Monsod laughed off Panelo's remarks.

"Why would I comment on something like that?" Monsod told GMA News Online when sought for comment.

Prior to her column on poverty data, Monsod had accused Duterte of abusing the powers of the presidency to go after his critics including Senator Leila de Lima, ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.

She also asked her readers whether they would trust Duterte to run the country considering the health issues hounding the 74-year-old leader. —VDS/NB, GMA News