Panelo: No comparison between Duterte, Brazil’s rightist president-elect

Malacañang distanced itself from foreign media suggestions of similarities between President Rodrigo Duterte and Brazil’s outspoken President-elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro.

Mr. Duterte has a track record as Chief Executive since June 2016, while Bolsonaro has yet to assume his post, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“We take note of foreign commentators who have been drawing similarities between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and President-elect Jair Messias Bolsonaro of Brazil,” Panelo said in a statement on Friday.

Tough heads of state

Panelo noted that the comparison was no different from Mr. Duterte compared to US President Donald Trump, and other “strong and tough heads of state who implement gallant measures against lawlessness.”

The comparison between Mr. Duterte and Bolsonaro, he said, “is understandable, given that both are populist leaders who came to power because of their respective peoples’ desire for decisive leadership.”

“The comparison, however, ends there since Mr. Bolsonaro has yet to assume the presidency and will only do so come Jan. 1, 2019. Everything merely speculative at this point,” he said.

Blamed for misogyny

The 63-year-old Bolsonaro, a previous military officer from the extreme right Social Liberal Party, has blamed for misogyny and of being a homophobe. He additionally underpins torment and has undermined to imprison political protesters.

He has additionally advocated antiabortion strategies, monetary progression and weapon rights, while crusading against secularism.

The extreme talking Mr. Duterte known for making spur of the moment remarks against the Catholic Church, ladies and human rights advocates.

One of the key projects of his organization is the ridiculous war on medications.