Duterte Attacks Economist For Praising His Administration, Says 'F--k You!'

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte responded with a disparaging “F--k you” to Inquirer columnist Solita “Winnie” Monsod over her recent column that seemed to praise the administration’s effort to reduce poverty.

Monsod, 79, is the former socioeconomic planning secretary of the Philippines, a position she held from 1986 to 1989. She was educated at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and holds the rank of Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines School of Economics.

She has won many awards for her work and is well known for her involvement with LGBTQ-related issues. She has also been a constant critic of Duterte in what can only be compared to the relationship that populist President Donald Trump has with some members of the mainstream press in the U.S.

Monsod’s columns are described by the Sun Star Cebu as “consistent”, clearly written and well-thought-out with her position and arguments as compelling. At the same time, she has up until now failed to write anything positive about the president. That has given her the “tag” of being a Duterte hater and defender of the former administration’s regime.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo commented that it was a surprise that Monsod wrote something favorable about the president because she “has not said any good word” about him. Panelo was the one to relay the president’s response saying, “The President asked me to give his response to this columnist. He said: ‘Tell her, I hate being patronized! F--- you!’”

Monsod’s Saturday’s column was titled “What the Latest Poverty Data Tell Us.” She wrote, “The Duterte administration must be congratulated,” and added, “Not since the Ramos administration has the war on poverty been so effectively pursued…”

Later in the column, she reviewed some poverty statistics that seemed to favor Region XI that includes Duterte’s hometown. She suggested that the president is perhaps more interested in accommodating his business friends than the poor in his area. She also asked what the current administration was doing to lower rural poverty in its Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

Panelo had more to say, “Aren’t you surprised with that column? I’m asking: Aren’t you surprised suddenly this columnist is praising, is heaping praise on the President?” He questioned her real motives for the praise adding “There must be some reason. Is she laying a predicate?”

Monsod has also noticed the similarities to Trump and Duterte and described the Philippine leader as “being more intellectually gifted than Trump.” This may be another “non-compliment” considering that most scholars in the educational elite do not give Trump high marks on intellectual capabilities.