Davao City declares Ramon Bautista as ‘persona non grata’ –report

Ramon Bautista. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Davao City Council, led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, on Tuesday declared comedian Ramon Bautista as “persona non grata” in Davao City, citing that “he is an extremely corrupt influence to the youth” and “his abusive behavior should not be tolerated,” a TV report said.

The resolution stemmed from Bautista’s remark in a rave party in Davao City during Saturday’s Kadayawan Festival celebration, saying, “Ang daming hipon dito sa Davao.” He also led the people in chanting “hipon.”

“Hipon” or shrimp is a colloquial term for a person who only has an attractive body but an unattractive face.

Bautista later apologized after Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte reprimanded him.

He also issued an apology on Twitter on Monday, admitting that he made a mistake and is willing to accept any consequence which may stem from his deed.

The resolution also cited an incident where Bautista posted a picture of him with three young girls on his Instagram account during the said party with a caption, “Ito ang kabataan ngayon hihi. #kadayawan #PasisikatinKitaHijaFoundation”.

The City Council said that Bautista’s action “willfully and arrogantly intended to propagate a culture of sexism and male chauvinism that promotes rude and disrespectful behavior against women.”

RELATED STORY

Dutertes blast Ramon Bautista for calling Davao City women ‘hipon’