Name: JERICO L.

COSTALES
Year Level/Section: BSED 3C - English

REACTION PAPER

Direction: Write on this page a 2-paragraph reaction with 5 sentences each paragraph. Paste on
the second page the screenshots of the statements that you agree and disagree with.

Malacanang in Action Towards Duterte’s Critics

Like a card game, Spokesperson Harry Roque lay his cards to oppose the critics trying to
accuse President Duterte of crotch groping. Last March 28, 2021, the President held a simple
gathering with his family in Malacanang Palace to celebrate his 76th birthday. Some photos of
the President having noodles and a mini cake-shaped cup of rice were uploaded by his
supporters. On the contrary, after a video leaked presenting that Lechon and other dishes also
served, social media netizens accused Duterte in the act of being dishonest to the public, and also
a crotch groping of the President surfaced. Upon these issues, I agree with the statement of
Roque who insists that the celebration of the President’s birthday is simple and there was no
malice in the President’s action with the female helper.

Indeed, life is the most wonderful gift from God and a birthday celebration is His greatest
blessing to mankind, therefore, whether the celebration is luxurious or simple, there is nothing
wrong with it because it’s up to the people who are having their celebration. On that note, there’s
nothing wrong even when the President tries to set in private his party’s feast to the public, and
Roque even honestly revealed that he didn’t even experience a formal reception or extravagant
gathering in his two-year service with the President in the Palace. On the other hand, crotch
groping and being a misogynist were the issues that critics trying to accused Duterte of.
However, the Palace spokesman reprimanded these issues stating that it is the female helper
alone who should file a complaint against the President, and regarding the violence against
women issue, how could the President discriminate against women when he, himself supported
the measures that promote the rights of every woman? In that case, instead of meddling in the
life of other people especially the very father of this nation, why don’t we meddle with our life
first and try to be the change of other blind people out there?

Screenshots of Statements that I Agree Screenshots of Statements that I Disagree

With With