Rody: ‘Jet Ski’ Remark Pure Campaign Joke

President Duterte described on Monday night, May 10, his controversial “jet ski” remark five years ago as a "pure campaign joke" even as he insisted that he was not taking the Philippines' sovereignty lightly when he made the comment.

Duterte, who recently drew flak for claiming that he never mentioned China during the 2016 presidential race, said those who took his joke seriously are not used to his language and campaign style.

"Panahon ng kampanya 'yan...at saka 'yung biro na 'yun, they call it bravado, 'yung bravado ko, pure campaign joke...at kung naniniwala kayo sa kabila, pati na siguro si Carpio…I would say that you are really stupid,” the President said during a pre-recorded public address, referring to one of his critics, retired Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio.

Last May 3, Duterte claimed that he “never” mentioned that he would “retake” the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the campaign period.

However, it can be recalled that in a presidential debate in 2016, Duterte said he would take a jet ski to the disputed parts of the WPS while waving the Philippine flag to assert the country’s sovereignty.

"I was not taking lightly the sovereignty. It's a pure joke actually but just to emphasize, I really mixed it with a joke. If you swallow it, my God, I wouldn't comment anymore. Who is stupid? Don't you know that I do not know how to swim? What if that thing falls?... By this time, I would have been the late Rodrigo Duterte," he added.

Duterte explained he did not want to die in vain.

“Ah sabi ko, mahirap ito. Dito tayo mamatay ng walang kakwenta-kwenta,” Duterte stressed.

Duterte noted the waves in the South China Sea are so huge that he would likely conk out in the waters.

But Duterte stated he did plan to go to the South China Sea and even bought a second-hand jet ski for the trip and ordered spare parts that have not yet arrived until now. “I cannot do anything," he noted.

It was unclear whether he was serious when he made the statement.

“Sabi ko, ‘mahirap ito.’ Sabihin ko na lang balang araw sa inyo na inabot talaga ako ng takot, wala akong magawa. Takot akong mamatay. Walang gasolina. ‘Yung spare parts hanggang ngayon wala (I said, this would be difficult. I would just tell you someday, I really felt afraid and I could not do anything. I was afraid to die. There was no gasoline. The spare parts are still not here)," he said.

“Alam mo panahon ng kampanya 'yun. ‘Di yata sanay itong mga gago sa style ko sa kampanya...Pati ‘yung bunganga ko ngayon. Nagyabang ako pupunta ako sa Spratly (You know it was campaign period at the time. Those fools are probably not used to my style of campaigning…Even the way I talk now. I boasted that I would go to the Spratlys),” Duterte pointed out. “Kayong maniwala, maniwala kayo. Isipin ninyo kung paano maging totoo ‘yan, maututunaw ‘yung utak ninyo (Those of you who want to believe, go ahead. Think about how this could be true, your brains will melt).

Duterte assured the public that he would not give up the Philippines' territory even if China is donating COVID-19 vaccines.

"There will be no compromise. China knows that. Even if it floods us with vaccines," he added.