Opposition solons condemn Andanar remarks, tell him to ‘clean up his mouth’

Opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar for his remark to European organizations critical of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement, Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano said Andanar's statements were "utterly rude and unprofessional."

"Nakakalungkot at nakakahiya na ganito ang asal ng isang opisyal ng gobyerno," he said.

In a video posted on Pinoy Ako Blog, an anti-Duterte blog, Andanar lashed out at Duterte's critics. He later confirmed in a text message to GMA News Online that it was him in the video, and that he was referring to European organizations.

“Iyong mga maiingay na pala-iyot, iyong mga maiingay, alam mo, ang problema sa kanila, hanggang ingay lang. Wala namang napatunayan. Kung tatanungin mo iyong kanilang mga Prime Minister, Presidente, iyon talagang namamahala sa kanilang bansa, pati sila sumusuporta kay Presidente Duterte,” he said in the video.

“Iyong mga nasa baba na pala-iyot, sila lang ang maingay kasi kulang sila sa iyot. Kung merong mga bata dito, huwag niyo na lang i-interpret iyon,” he added.

In Bisaya, "iyot" means sex, while "pala-iyot" means someone who has sex regularly.

Alejano said diplomacy must be practiced in dealing with other countries. While the Duterte administration has been pursuing an independent foreign policy, he said the state must not isolate itself through "crass statement, ill behavior and undiplomatic actions."

"Political will does not have to be rude and offensive. Political will can be shown through concrete actions," he said.

Alejano added that while Filipinos are known for being respectable and hospitable, it appears that their government officials are now the opposite.

"In fact, the President is the perfect example of this. Now, his Cabinet officials and allies are taking him as a model and are following suit," he said.

"Tila ang nakasanayan na ngayon ay kapag mas bastos, mas matapang umano, mas kahanga-hanga umano, mas posibleng ma-appoint at ma-promote sa pwesto," Alejano added.

He pointed out that government officials' statements and actions have an impact on country's image in the international arena.

"We do not want to project an image to the international community that does not truly represent the Filipino identity," he said.

"I condemn not only the recent remarks of PCOO Secretary Andanar, but all such statements and actions coming from government officials. We must all demand dignity in the office," he added.

Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin, meanwhile, said it is "highly unbecoming" of Andanar to make such remark.

"I don’t think Filipinos deserve to be represented in such debauchery and perversity. It’s what we call now as Andanarspeak—nagpapaandar ala Dutertespeak," he said.

Villarin said Andanar must apologize for his remarks, "clean up his mouth" and fix his office that is in "disarray."

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. added that Andanar should just focus on his work as communications secretary in order to address the recent gaffes of the Philippine News Agency, "misleading" informational materials coming from the Communications Office and stop the spread of "fake news."

"Doon na lang siya mag-concentrate kaysa magkalat sa ibang bansa ng kabastusan," he said. — BM, GMA News