Pres. Duterte is being lambasted on social media after he backs out in a debate with retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, Friday, May 7.
The challenger, Duterte, opted out of the argument and instead made his Presidential Spokesman, Harry Roque be his substitute.
“Ang sabi ni Presidente, tinatalaga niya po ang inyong abang lingkod na makipag-debate kay retired justice Antonio Carpio, at tinanggap ko naman po ang pagtatalaga ni Presidente,” said Roque during a televised public address.
“Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, it would be a pleasure to debate against you. I’ll see you at the designated time and place,” he added.
But with the Secretary representing Duterte in the battle with the magistrate, the hashtag #DuterteDuwag trended as celebrities, personalities, and Netizens mocked him for being a “coward”.
Actor Steven Silva discreetly called the president an “idiot sandwich”, a reference to Gordon Ramsay’s parody of “Hell Kitchen” called “Hell’s Cafeteria”. This followed after Duterte, the challenger, backed out of the debate with Carpio.
Why would you challenge someone to a debate and when they accept, back out?
pic.twitter.com/UAF2jAC2vA
— Steven Silva (@iamstevensilva) May 7, 2021
A comic artist created a strip summarizing the supposed debate of Duterte and Carpio.
D u C a r p i o
vs
pic.twitter.com/nRuCFFbTj3
— Tarantadong Kalbo (@KevinKalbo) May 6, 2021
— Tarantadong Kalbo (@KevinKalbo) May 6, 2021
imma head out
pic.twitter.com/BrbiovvTfa
— Tarantadong Kalbo (@KevinKalbo) May 7, 2021
Celebrities such as Justin Dizon, Agot Isidro, and musician Jim Paredes laughed at Duterte for his no-show in what was supposed to be a “debate of the year”.
lol https://t.co/36D2cS1Nw9 pic.twitter.com/svAXvBRaAx
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) May 7, 2021
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahaha
duwag
https://t.co/H5ZojqhDgC
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) May 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/Jimparedes/status/1390573694825627651
Singer Bituin Escalante stressed that Duterte is a “coward” due to his withdrawal from the debate against Carpio.
Du du du du du DUWAG!!!
— bituin escalante (@gobituin) May 7, 2021
Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo threw some shade (at Duterte) for making a challenge that he cannot fulfill.
Nung bata tayo may kilala tayong siga sa school na laging naghahamon ng away, tapos pag may pumalag biglang aabsent o magsusumbong sa titser. Asar talo forever yung mga ganun. Hehe
— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) May 7, 2021
Former Bayan Muna Congressman Teddy Casiño referenced Duterte’s words as he is now currently being cooked in his own oil.
This didn’t age well, no? #DuterteDuwag pic.twitter.com/W7c8BDUJwP
— Teddy Casiño (@teddycasino) May 7, 2021
TV personality Kiko Rustia shared a meme of Duterte being called a “coward” stressing that it was “accurate”.
Parang accurate yarn?
#DuterteDuwag pic.twitter.com/EzaM6Vm75X
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) May 7, 2021
A Twitter personality highlighted that the president is a “coward and a traitor”. With Duterte’s statements contradicting himself, it only proves that his critics were right about him.
Duterte is not only incompetent but is also corrupt, coward & traitor.
He literally proves us correct everyday & that should be enough to make us work harder as we have a lot of things to do to make sure 2022 onwards will be a much better Philippines for everyone.#DuterteDuwag
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) May 7, 2021
Pia Magalona urged Carpio to take down the Duterte Administration after the magistrate responded that he is willing to take on anybody after the president backed out from the challenge.
Drag them. #DuterteDuwag pic.twitter.com/ljVBld5Tdg
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) May 7, 2021
Meanwhile, a Twitter personality suggested that the Davaoeños and Minanaoans should be proud of Carpio rather than the “lame duck traitor” Duterte.
https://twitter.com/kulotissima/status/1390553195554906112
Singer Leah Navarro stressed that Roque and Duterte are no match for Carpio. According to Navarro, even if Duterte is the president, he has “done nothing to honor his presidency”. On the other hand, Roque is an “ambulance lawyer”.
Duterte is president, sure. But he’s done nothing to honor his presidency. Roque is an ambulance chasing lawyer. Both of them are nothing compared to former Senior SC Justice Carpio. They know that. Hence, the retreat and inferior substitution.
Clearly, #DuterteDuwag https://t.co/CbAm97Zgpb
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) May 7, 2021
Duterte earlier on Wednesday challenged Carpio in a debate regarding the issue of the West Philippine Sea (WPS). But the Philippine President is also fond of challenging public figures who criticize him in a debate that never pushed through.
For instance, in 2016, Duterte challenged UN special rapporteur Agnes Callamard to a “public debate” after his controversial anti-drugs campaign was being scrutinized.