Liza Diño on Duterte kissing controversy: Ang isang babae ay may karapatang gawin ang gusto niya

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Liza Diño on Friday gave her two cents on the "kissing" controversy involving President Rodrigo Duterte and a Filipina supporter in South Korea.

"Kailangan nating mag-usap kasi iba't-iba talaga ang opinion natin. Merong ibang nagsasabing tama, meron ibang nagsasabing mali," Diño said during the launch of Cinemarya, a film festival designed to showcase women empowerment.

Diño, who is part of the executive committee for Cinemarya, added that what's important is discourse.

"Ang nangyayari sa atin, we impose our own beliefs on people who think differently and I think having these kinds of discussion would allow for a more tolerating atmosphere where we can find safe spaces [to] discuss these issues," she said.

"Ang isa nating [dapat i-consider] ay ang isang babae ay may karapatang mag-isip, may karapatang gawin kung ano ang gusto niyang gawin. Nasa kaniya 'yung konteksto kung [paano] niya nakita 'yon at wala tayong karapatang sabihin kung mali o tama ang ginawa niya," Diño added.

She also said she's affected by how the woman is suddenly portrayed as a victim.

Bea Kim, the Filipina whom Duterte kissed in an official event in South Korea last weekend, has already said that there was no malice in the act.

The incident however caused a firestorm of controversy and has even made international headlines.

Duterte's actions

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Marjorie Jalosjos said she does not see any dissonance in DILG pushing for the recognition of gender equality and Duterte's words and actions.

"Lahat naman po tayo ay may kaniya-kaniyang opinion and [I think] very timely itong Cinemarya," Jalosjos said during the same briefing in response to GMA reporter Sandra Aguinaldo, adding that the festival has been in the works for several months now.

Jalosjos pointed to the President's most recent State of the Nation Address as proof of his support for women.

According to Jalosjos, Duterte has been very keen on localizing the Magna Carta of Women and she felt like the arts were the perfect platform to reach a broad audience across the nation.

'Huwag sisihin 'yung babae'

Jalosjos also emphasized the need to respect each other's opinion without placing the blame on either party — especially the woman, who she said seemed to enjoy the kiss.

"Lahat ay may karapatan sa kani-kaniyang opinion, may kanikaniyang pagtingin do'n sa kissing," Jalosjos told the press, "Nakakatawa man sa ibang tao, sensitibo man ang ibang nakapanood at nag-react dito, lahat naman po kayo ay may karapatan para sa inyong opinion at reaksyon."

"I cannot speak for the President, kasi siya naman po ang gumawa no'n," Jalosjos added. "Honestly, kung makikita niyo po 'yung video, parang lahat po sila ay natutuwa sa kanilang ginawa. 'Wag na lang po nating sisihin 'yung babae, dahil sa totoo lang, kinilig siya."

Jalosjos said that, from how she knew Duterte as a mayor, he usually employs "pampakilig" gimmicks when he is onstage to wake the crowd. "I'm not saying na tama ang ginawa ng Pangulo, hindi ko rin naman po sinasabing mali ang inyong opinion." —KBK, GMA News