On controversial kiss, Duterte says, ‘Ask my daughter Inday Sara’

President Rodrigo Duterte downplayed the various reactions to the controversial kiss with a former overseas Filipino worker in South Korea.

"The logical answer is to ask my daughter if she was hurt," he said in a press conference early Wednesday morning.

He explained that during his campaign for mayor of Davao City, he would kiss women "lips to lips."

"Style ko 'yan e, maghanap kayo ng ibang style ninyo. There is nothing wrong (points to his lips)," referring to his critics.

"Inggit lang 'yan sila... smack. A simple kiss, you cause an uproar. Inggit lang yan sila. Sabihin mo sa kanila, palitan ang pustiso nila," he added.

Duterte also said that his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was around during his campaign.

"'Yung anak ko, Inday and yung isang anak ko, talagang selosa yun. Baka she'll put me to task, kaya ayoko munang umuwi," he said, referring to his daughter with common law partner Honeylet Avaceña, Veronica "Kitty" Duterte.

"Alam mo di ako makipagaway sa anak na babae. Lalo na si Inday, hindi ko talaga kaya, pa cool off muna ako dito ilang araw sa Manila," he added.

He said there was no malice in the kiss.

"We enjoyed it," he added.

Duterte also said, "I do not do it in public if there is malice" and that "I can only generate an emotion if I kiss a woman I love."

Duterte further explained that he would also embrace even those who are sick.

"Embrace ako, lalo na may sakit, I always assure them government is there for you
nandun ako sa baba, kasi galing ako doon. (Kahit) may mga infection na lumalabas na sa damit," he added. — BAP, GMA News