The President kissed a Filipino woman onstage during his vist to the South Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte drew condemnation on Monday after kissing a Filipino woman onstage during his visit to South Korea, prompting outraged activists to call it “disgusting”. During the appearance late on Sunday in front of a mostly Filipino crowd, Mr. Duterte called the woman onstage and pointed to his lips. It is a joke for him “Come here! Where’s my (kiss),” he said, instructing her to explain to her husband — after learning he was not among the audience — that they were engaging in a “joke”. “Don’t take it seriously. It’s just for fun, a gimmick,” he later told the crowd. Women’s rights political party Gabriela denounced him for his “perverted way of getting back at his women critics”.<doc-sep>Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines’ controversial president, has stoked outrage by kissing a woman on the lips while meeting the Filipino community on a three day official visit to Seoul, South Korea. The firebrand leader, known for his expletive-filled rants and bloody war on drugs, apparently attempted to show his more charming side during an event with overseas workers when he called two young women onto the stage to receive a copy of a book. Mr Duterte said in jest that he would give the book, Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics and Money in the Philippine Catholic Church, in exchange for a kiss, specifically asking for women in the audience. “You have to pay me with a kiss. Are you ready for kissing?” Mr Duterte said, according to the Philippine Star. He pecked one of two women who came up onto the stage on the cheek, but then gestured to the other that he wanted to kiss her on the lips. The president could be heard saying: “Are you single? You’re not separated from him? But you can tell him that this is just a joke?” reported Rappler. His awkward move drew cheers from the audience, but his claims that it was only a gimmick did not prevent a backlash online where Mr Duterte was slammed for being a “misogynist” and a “hypocrite.”<doc-sep>LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting with Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (not pictured) at the Foreign Office on February 6, 2017 in London, England. Mr Netanyahu is meeting with Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and PM Theresa May during his trip to london and is expected to discuss a number of issues including defence and bilateral trade. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth - WPA Pool/Getty Images) MAXWELL, IA - FEBRUARY 16: China's Vice President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China visits the farm of Rick and Martha Kimberley February 16, 2012 near Maxwell, Iowa. Xi , who is seen as China's likely next leader, is on a tour of the U.S. that will send him to California next. 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AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) Japanese Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers gathered for the annual New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2016. Armenian opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan gestures to supporters after being elected as prime minister in Yerevan's Republic Square on May 8, 2018. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo credit should read SERGEI GAPON/AFP/Getty Images) French president-elect Emmanuel Macron greets supporters before delivering a speech in front of the Pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris on May 7, 2017, after the second round of the French presidential election. (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is applauded by members of his party during the second day of a motion of no confidence session at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Friday, June 1, 2018. Socialist opposition leader Pedro Sanchez is on the brink of ending Mariano Rajoy's more than six-year reign as Spanish prime minister in what would be the first ouster of a serving leader by parliament in four decades of democracy as Spain's conservative government appears doomed to lose a no-confidence vote in parliament(AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Italys Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (R) shakes hands with Italy's President Sergio Mattarella during the swearing in ceremony of the new government led by the newly-appointed PM at Quirinale Palace in Rome on June 1, 2018. - Italian cabinet members of the new government led by newly appointed Prime Minister are to be sworn in later in the day, after a last-ditch coalition deal was hammered out to end months of political deadlock, narrowly avoiding snap elections in the eurozone's third largest economy. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo credit should read ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images) Italy's newly appointed Prime minister Giuseppe Conte announces the list of his government at the Quirinale presidential palace on May 31, 2018 in Rome after a meeting with Italian President. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images) (CNN) — A very public kiss between Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and a Filipina woman on stage in Seoul was an “act of endearment” toward Filipino workers, his spokesman said. The controversial kiss, which came during Duterte’s meeting with members of the Filipino diaspora in South Korea on Sunday, was met with cheers at the event and condemnation by opposition politicians, women’s rights activists and social media users. Calling it a “light moment that is very accepted in the culture of Filipinos,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque told CNN affiliate CNN Philippines Monday that the kiss was “what makes the President popular among our people.” Opponents of the outspoken, controversial leader said that it was misogynistic and an abuse of power. Women’s rights group Gabriela condemned the spectacle as the “disgusting theatrics of a misogynist president who feels entitled to demean, humiliate or disrespect women according to his whim.” Opposition senator Risa Hontiveros said that Duterte “acted like a feudal king who thinks that being the president is an entitlement to do anything that he pleases,” adding that “uneven power relations” meant that the kiss wasn’t an act between consenting adults. Others defended his decision, with one social media user asserting that his actions were typical of the way Visayans – his ethnic group – joked around. Another spoke lovingly of his roguish behavior. “He got a hug and a kiss on the lips. Wahahaha (Duterte) is so mischievous,” the Facebook user said, according to CNN affiliate CNN Philippines. Controversial kiss The controversial moment came after a lengthy speech by the president to a crowd of expatriate Filipinos in Seoul. Duterte invited two audience members on stage, both female, to present them each with a copy of the book – Altar of Secrets: Sex, Politics, and Money in the Philippine Catholic Church – which is highly critical of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, “in exchange for a kiss.” After one of the women proffered her cheek, the second audience member, identified by Philippines state media PNA as Bea Kim, touched his hand to her forehead, a traditional greeting of respect in Filipino culture. But, to the cheers of the audience, Duterte gestured to his mouth, indicating that he wanted the woman to kiss him on the lips. “Are you single? You’re not separated from (your husband)? But you can tell him that this is just a joke?” he asked, according to a report by Philippines news outlet Rappler. After some back and forth she relented and the president kissed her as the audience hooted their approval. Kim said that there was “no malice” in the kiss, and that it didn’t “mean anything except to entertain and make other Filipinos in the gathering happy.” She is married to a South Korean national and has two children, PNA reported. OFWs in spotlight On his trips to foreign countries, the president often takes time to meet members of the Filipino diaspora. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) make up significant parts of the workforces of many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, with many employed as domestic workers or in the construction industry. Their remittances home are an important contributor to the country’s economy. There have been a number of high-profile cases of abuse, including the recent murder of a Filipina domestic worker by her employers in Kuwait which prompted a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. The scandal led to Duterte declaring a ban on OFWs taking up positions in the Middle Eastern country, and a mooted “rescue mission” to liberate distressed workers from their Kuwaiti employers. Controversial figure The outspoken leader has a history of disparaging remarks about women, notably saying on the campaign trail in 2016, when he said that the rape and murder of an Australian missionary who was visiting a Filipino jail was “a waste” and that he should “have been first” to sexually assault the woman. He later apologized for the remarks. He has also exhorted the soldiers to go all out in fighting Islamic militants and joked that under martial law they could even commit rape with impunity, while also saying soldiers should shoot female communist rebels “in the vagina.” At a CNN Philippines town hall event in February that year he admitted that he had three girlfriends and a common-law wife. His previous marriage was annulled due to his womanizing, but he denied this meant he objectified women. He has also drawn widespread condemnation for his initiation and support of a bloody war on drugs, which has seen thousands of suspected drug users and dealers killed by police and vigilantes.<doc-sep>
On Sunday night, President Duterte kissed a Filipina in front of an audience while on official visit to South Korea. “Wag niyo ‘yung dibdibin. Do not…that’s nothing except that I want to be close to my countrymen,” Duterte said after kissing the woman. READ: Duterte kisses a Filipina in SoKor But netizens will not hear of it. Twitter exploded with reactions about the actions of the President, the woman, misogyny, to name a few. Re: Duterte kissing that woman on stage in front of a cheering crowd. If you are saying "she wanted it," you are missing the point. — Emily Rauhala (@emilyrauhala) June 4, 2018 I'm not even going to state all the things that's obviously wrong here. But look at how President Duterte is gripping the Filipina's forearms while he kisses her in front of an audience. BTW, this was during his official visit in South Korea. pic.twitter.com/RBzcvjtDpP — Lara Tan (@laratyan) June 3, 2018 me after seeing duterte kiss a filipina in korea. how can i unsee it?! pic.twitter.com/VJJncFGhcX — ?? ?Carl Brix Laverez (@cblaverez) June 3, 2018 forrrreeeal? duterte kissed a girl in korea sa lips in front of filipino community? duterte lodi talaga kita!! hahahahahah — Erica ???? (@eyicaaah_) June 4, 2018 Duterte’s “gimmick” in South Korea reinforces and normalizes the mysogynistic attitude several Filipinos have. If the president pulled of a stunt like that at a public event, god knows how we’re going to solve catcalling and sexual harassment???? — imtired (@Jaschiaaa) June 3, 2018 President DUTERTE said at the end of his speech in South Korea that the "KISS" was only for entertainment. Hah! I'm not buying it Mr President. The woman was not an entertainer. Advancing on women for entertainment purpose is OFFENSIVE. I give you an "F" for failed on this. ???? — Rik Escudero (@EscuderoRik) June 3, 2018 *Duterte kisses OFW based in South Korea* Me: pic.twitter.com/VSJHSIS4AI — Aina Go (@Ainago_24) June 4, 2018 The Philippine President kissing a Filipina on the lips in South Korea made my stomach turn. Duterte continuously abuses his power over women, the poor, and others whom he thinks he can exercise power over. Women, resist! Shame on this president! #BabaeAko#LumalabanAko — Jean Enriquez (@jeanenriquez) June 3, 2018 News: Duterte kissed an ofw in korea Manyakis peenoise be like: wow lodi Wtf? ????????‍??????????‍?? — Sean Jared Lastimoso (@seanjaredl) June 3, 2018 — LA, GMA News