Roque defends Duterte's gesture to househelp

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque defended President Rodrigo Duterte for an attempt to touch a woman, identified as a longtime househelp, during his 76th birthday celebration video.

The viral video showed Duterte attempting to touch the woman roughly in the area of her private parts as she presented him with a birthday cake.

Critics condemned the act, labeling it as lewdness and objectification of women.

Roque asserted that there was no malice in Duterte's action, as the woman is a long-time househelp accustomed to the President's sense of humor.

Roque further suggested that the incident should not be a cause for concern because Duterte's partner, Honeylet Avanceña, was present at the time.