Duterte slams Rappler, says its journalists have body odor, but vows to uphold press freedom

President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to uphold press freedom in the country even as he lashed out again at Rappler which published reports critical of his administration’s policies.

Duterte led the oath taking ceremony of new officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, Malacañang Cameramen Association and Presidential Photojournalists Association in the presidential palace on Tuesday night.

“Rest assured that the government will never waver in its duty to uphold press freedom, to promote free speech, cultivate a safer environment for journalists even as we work together in safeguarding our democratic institutions,” the President said in his speech.

Duterte also reminded the media of its “sacred responsibility to ensure that truth and fairness will prevail in the delivery of information to the public.”

He then asked the press to remain partners of the government in “ushering transformative and lasting change in society through the delivery of impartial and reliable news and information that will help improve discourse and enable us to promote advocacies and programs that will improve the lives of our people.”

“Let your passion to protect and advance our country’s media industry inspire you to actively participate in [the] difficult but fulfilling task of nation-building,” he said.

Prior to his event with Malacañang-assigned reporters and cameramen, the President made personal attacks against Rappler journalists in a speech before provincial vice governors.

Duterte claimed Rappler journalists have foul body odor.

“Itong mga Rappler, ah pagkatapos sabi ko, ‘P— ina ninyo ang babaho ng…’ I just cannot pronounce the kili-kili mo o 'yung... Binabastos ko talaga sila. You leave me with no recourse. ‘Yung binabastos mo pagkatao ko,” he said.

He said Rappler played up the accusation of Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claimed to be Bikoy in the series of videos linking the Duterte family to the illegal drug trade.

Advincula later retracted his claims and said it was former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, with the help of the Liberal Party, who hired him to make the accusation. Trillanes and the LP have denied Advincula's claims.

When sought for comment, one of Rappler's editors Glenda Gloria said the news site would not respond to the President's remarks.

"We are not dignifying this with an answer. And neither should media, don't you think so?" Gloria said in an email to GMA News Online.

Duterte has always been vocal about his dislike for Rappler’s critical reports on his policies, especially the war on drugs.

In February 2018, the President banned Rappler from covering all his activities, which the media outfit challenged before the Supreme Court.

Rappler and its officers led by veteran journalist Maria Ressa are also facing a number of lawsuits including cyber libel, violation of the country’s anti-dummy law and tax evasion. 

In March, Rappler said the "pattern of harassment" it claims it has experienced since last year has not stopped but even grew wider. —With a report from Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News