Philippines Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has leapt to the defence of comedian Vice Ganda after he drew backlash from supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte for a controversial “jet ski holiday” skit.
The parody, performed during the first night of Vice Ganda’s two-day concert with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez on August 8, poked fun at Duterte’s famous 2016 campaign promise to ride a jet ski to the Spratly Islands to plant the Philippine flag.
Clad in a sparkly pink leotard and wig, Vice quipped about “unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels” and a “free trip to The Hague by the ICC — promo applies to DDS only,” throwing in a profanity-laced warning to hecklers.
Critics Say He ‘Crossed the Line’
Some netizens accused the comedian of disrespect, prompting Castro to post a video on YouTube defending him.
“This is not a made-up story or a joke. This came from former President Duterte himself, so don’t be offended, DDS,” she said, pointing to the jetski pledge and China’s past use of water cannons against Philippine vessels.
“Who is really rude? Who uses foul language? Who insults Filipinos?” Castro asked, before showing footage of Vice President Sara Duterte criticising President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at a rally in The Hague.
Roque Fires Back
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque hit back at Vice Ganda, accusing him of “kicking someone who was already down.”
“Tatay Digong is already on the ground, already imprisoned, 80 years old, probably going to die in jail — and you keep kicking him,” Roque said in a video message, warning the comedian that “the world is round” and hinting that Duterte’s supporters may one day retaliate.
The spat has sparked heated exchanges online, with both supporters and critics of the parody weighing in.
