Paolo Duterte hits critics of unverified list he posted 'for fun'

MANILA, Philippines — Former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte this week clapped back at critics of a supposed ouster list that he said he only posted for fun.

Screenshots of a supposed "Oust Duterte Movement" list briefly appeared on the Facebook page of the president's son and prompted denials from people on the list and spawned memes on the inclusion of Jollibee Foods Corp. as a supposed destabilizer.

"Sana binasa ninyo nang maayos ang caption ko bago kayo nanggalaiti sa galit. Huwag pong bobo. Huwag pong tanga," he said on a post that is pinned to the top of his Facebook page.

(You should have read my caption carefully before you got twisted up in anger. Don't be dummies. Don't be stupid)

He pointed out that he said in the caption of the deleted post that the supposed information—since dismissed as "fake news" by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana—was only sent to him. "I posted para 'bibo' — para masaya (for fun)," Duterte, who is running for Congress, said.

Duterte: 'Defective' media reports not my fault

The former vice mayor said that he shouldn't be blamed for people not understanding the caption he posted.

"Kung ang media ay palyado ang reporting, kasalanan ko (If media erred in reporting it, is it my fault)?" he also said of media reports that pointed out that the information he posted was unverified and improbable—the supposed list included a bishop who died in 2016 and another who doesn't exist.

Also on the supposed list was Vice President Leni Robredo, who was quick to deny the allegation and to call the posting of the unverified list irresponsible. Robredo has been linked to supposed destabilization plots since the "LeniLeaks" incident — supposedly leaked emails discussing efforts to discredit the Duterte administration — January 2017.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office said then that the Palace would investigate the issue. No updates have been released on the supposed probe.

The president's son said in Filipino that Robredo, who has been more aggressive this year in addressing rumors and "fake news" against her, was "quick to jump on the issue." 

RELATED: ‘Oust Duterte Movement’ list shows handicap on intel gathering, Nancy says

The former vice mayor also called out Sen. Nancy Binay, whose father former Vice President Jejmomar Binay was also included in the list, for commenting on the issue.

"It’s painfully evident that basic intel is lacking at present," Binay said in a statement, adding it would be a cause for concern if the list came from government intelligence agencies.

"Ngayon naman ay si Senator Nancy Binay ang sumasawsaw. Ma’am Nancy, hindi pa po kasali ang mutants sa listahan. Hindi po kayo kasama doon," Paolo Duterte said.

(Now Senator Nancy Binay is joining in. Ma'am Nancy, mutants aren't included in the list. You aren't included.)

The list of supposed destabilizers includes "mutant/cause-oriented groups."

Former Vice Mayor Duterte also took shots at bishops and members of the clergy who reacted to the list that he posted, saying they are getting involved in politics to cover up for "sex scandals of priests who are maniacs, rapists and pedophiles."