Duterte camp, PCO respond to Vice Ganda's 'jetski holiday' joke
Vice Ganda’s remark, which playfully referenced former President Rodrigo Duterte, has drawn criticism and multiple public statements from government officials and his supporters.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Davao City Council unanimously passed a resolution to condemn the statement made by Its Showtime mainstay host, wherein she made comments about Duterte.
The resolution, which Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang put forward, was approved after the council received multiple requests to declare the comedian a persona non grata.
"Whereas, the City Government of Davao upholds the values of respect, courtesy, and the preservation of dignity towards all individuals, particularly public officials who have served the nation," Dayanghirang said.
According to Dayanghirang, the council felt that issuing a condemnation had the same weight as the requested declaration, and the resolution's final version included amendments suggested by other council members.
Dutertes react to the issue
Previously, Davao City acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rigo" Duterte II dismissed a viral document online, clarifying that the city council has not passed any persona non grata resolution. He said they "will not be distracted by cheap insults and distasteful jokes made for clout."
"The City Council of Davao has far more important matters to attend to than entertaining baseless, attention-seeking antics from performers desperate for relevance," he said in a statement.
He continued, "The Council's time and energy are devoted to creating policies and programs that improves the lives of Dabawenyos-enhancing infrastructure, ensuring public safety, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social services."
"Public figures like Vice Ganda, who use their platform to mock rather than uplift, reveal more about their own character than about the people they ridicule," he added.
Moreover, Rigo noted that the city will continue "moving forward—with or without the approval of those who mistake insult for entertainment."
Vice President Sara Duterte, on the other hand, believes it has to be a majority decision when it comes to declaring someone persona non grata in Davao City.
She also emphasized that she has neither seen nor heard the jokes Vice Ganda allegedly made about her father.
"Okay, again, wala ako kabasa sa joke, or nakita sa joke asa siya, but unsa man ang desisyon sa city council of Davao, it has to be a majority decision, and the city council of Davao is the correct body to declare a person persona non grata because they are the representative of the three districts of Davao City," the vice president said to the reporters during her visit to the Tribal Village at Magsaysay Park for the 2025 Kadayawan Festival
'Hindi naman sila dapat mapikon'
Presidential Communications Office spokesperson Claire Castro also shared her thoughts on the issue, highlighting that the spoof's references came from the former president himself. Thus, the Duterte camp should not get offended.
"So ngayon, kung ginamit ito as part ng concert, siguro dapat hindi naman sila mapikon," Castro told the reporters. "Karamihan sa sinasabi (ng dating pangulo), kapag medyo may mali, ang sasabihin ng spokesperson niya [ay] 'joke.' Pero hindi naman tayo tumatawa kapag sinabing joke noon."
"'Yung mga ayaw mapanood 'yung concert para di masiyadong masaktan, 'wag na lang panoorin," she added.
Vice Ganda loses followers
In the wake of recent controversies, the Praybeyt Benjamin star has also seen a reported drop in her social media following.
While her official Facebook page now displays a rounded count of 19 million, the real-time figure shows her follower count to be at 19,799,889. This indicates a loss of 200,111 followers from the 20 million mark she had previously reached.
On August 8, online clips of the Super Divas concert with Regine Velasquez showed her singing, "Darling, hold my hand," before Vice appears with backup dancers carrying a placard that states, "Jetski Holiday. Avail now!"
"Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now, from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC (International Criminal Court). Promo applies to DDS (diehard Duterte supporters) only. Pinklawans and BBMs (Bongbong Marcos supporters) are prohibited. Huwag n'yo akong subukan, mga p****a i*a n'yo," Vice said.
The jet ski reference was an apparent shade at Duterte, who, in his 2016 presidential campaign, vowed to ride a jet ski to the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea and plant a Philippine flag there to supposedly ward off China, which has been amassing resources and harassing Filipino fisherfolk in the contested waters. In 2021, Duterte called it a "pure campaign joke," calling those who believed it "stupid."
The Hague, meanwhile, is where Duterte has been detained since March 12. A day before, he was caught at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following a warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court via the International Criminal Police Organization.
The original Jet2 holiday meme featured Jess Glynne's song Hold My Hand and a female narration of the British airline's ad, "Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday, and right now you can save £50 per person. That's £200 off for a family of 4. We've got millions of free child place holidays available with 22kg of baggage included. Book now with Jet2holidays. Package holidays you can trust!"
