Davao City acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II dismissed claims that comedian Vice Ganda has been declared persona non grata in the province following his viral “jetski” joke that appeared to make fun of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s past controversies and supposed detention at The Hague.
In a statement shared by Mindanao Times on Monday, August 11, the grandson of the former president and son of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterto said that the city council is currently focusing on creating policies and programs that will benefit Davaoeños rather than 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,” the statement began, as quoted by the news outlet.
“Contrary to what this viral document suggests, the Council’s time and energy are devoted to crafting policies and programs that improve the lives of Dabawenyos—enhancing infrastructure, ensuring public safety, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social services,” Duterte II declared.
He went on criticize Vice Ganda’s viral comedic act at his “Superdivas” concert with Regine Velasquez, which many interpreted as throwing shade at the Duterte patriarch and the Diehard Duterte Supporters or DDS.
“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,” Rigo said, adding that the dignity and pride of Dabawenyos are “not for sale” and should not be made a laughing matter.
“If Vice Ganda wishes to be remembered for more than empty laughs and headline-grabbing jabs, perhaps it’s time to show the same hard work, discipline, and respect that Davao’s leaders and citizens demonstrate daily.”
“Until then, Davao City will continue moving forward — with or without the approval of those who mistake insult for entertainment,” he added.
This comes after calls to declare Vice Ganda persona non grata in Davao surfaced among supporters of the political family following Vice Ganda’s recent concert joke that parodied Duterte’s “jetski” campaign promise from 2016 and his “detention” at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, using an popular meme based on a tour operator’s television ad.
