MANILA — Malacañang called on the public to avoid being overly sensitive over comedian Vice Ganda’s jetski joke about the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the viral “Super Divas The Concert.”

“Unang-una kasi, concert naman ‘yun. Parang show naman ‘yun. So, hindi kailangang maging balat-sibuyas ang sinuman (First of all, it was a concert, more like a show. So, no one should be overly sensitive),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a media interview.

Vice Ganda’s joke riffed on the “Jet2holiday” ad trend: “Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jetski. Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC [International Criminal Court]. Promo applies to DDS [Diehard Duterte Supporters] only. Pinklawans [Leni Robredo supporters] and BBMs [President Marcos supporters] are prohibited.”

While some applauded the comedian’s boldness, supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained in the Netherlands, criticized the joke. Duterte himself had once joked during the 2016 elections that he would ride a jetski to plant the Philippine flag in the disputed waters — a promise that was later seen as symbolic given his administration’s perceived softness on China’s maritime claims.

“At ito naman talaga ay nangyari, jinoke ni dating Pangulong Duterte yung tungkol sa jetski. Sinabi pa niya na ang naniwala sa kanya sa sinabi niyang sasakay siya sa jetski para sa West Philippine Sea, sinabi niyang stupid (And actually, this really happened — former President Duterte joked about the jetski. He even said those who believed him when he said he would ride a jetski to the West Philippine Sea were stupid),” Castro noted.

On the recent Bajo de Masinloc incident where Chinese and Philippine vessels collided, Castro emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leadership, saying the Philippine Coast Guard extended aid to personnel on the Chinese ships despite Beijing’s assertiveness.

She reaffirmed that the government remains firm in protecting the country’s maritime rights without backing down. (PNA)