Davao City Council Officially Condemns Vice Ganda Over "Jet Ski" and ICC Skit (NH)

Davao City Council Officially Condemns Vice Ganda Over “Jet Ski” and ICC Skit

Introduction

Following a controversial segment during the “Super Divas” concert, where comedian Vice Ganda delivered a sharp, satirical joke involving a jet ski, the West Philippine Sea, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Davao City Council passed a formal resolution condemning the act. The council did not declare Vice Ganda as persona non grata, but the resolution affirmed that certain expressions go beyond acceptable comedic boundaries.

The Skit That Sparked Controversy

During the performance of the rap-style “Jet Ski Holiday” parody, Vice humorously adapted lyrics to reference former President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promise of riding a jet ski to the Spratly Islands. The joke further implied travel to The Hague via the International Criminal Court, which is currently detaining Duterte, and targeted Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS).

This comedic twist, delivered amid cheers from the live audience, quickly garnered online criticism—particularly from supporters of the former president who deemed it disrespectful.

Council’s Resolution and Rationale

Authored by Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang, the council unanimously (all 23 present members) passed a resolution condemning Vice Ganda’s remarks. The resolution cited the city’s emphasis on “respect, courtesy, and dignity toward individuals who have served the nation with distinction,” notably Duterte’s long tenure as Davao City mayor. The council emphasized that while freedom of expression is protected, it must be exercised responsibly and not at the expense of community pride or cultural sensibilities.

Councilor Dayanghirang clarified that while the resolution avoided the formal label of persona non grata, the condemnation carried equivalent intent.

City Officials Weigh In

Acting Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte II dismissed circulating calls to label Vice Ganda persona non grata as per social media posts. He asserted that the city council’s real focus lies in crafting policies that improve living conditions—like infrastructure, safety, and livelihood—not responding to attention-driven comedy.
Duterte added that such jokes reflect poorly on the comedian rather than on the targets, and affirmed that the dignity of Davaoeños is not for comedic exploitation.
Vice President Sara Duterte stated that any persona non grata resolution would require a majority vote by the city council, indicating the matter’s procedural nature.

Summary Table

Aspect
Details

What Prompted Controversy
Vice Ganda’s parody referencing Duterte’s joke, ICC, and DDS

Council Response
Unanimous resolution condemning the joke for disrespect and divisiveness

Persona Non Grata?
Not officially declared; resolution considered that weight without label

Official Statements
Acting Vice Mayor: focus on substance, not clout; Sara Duterte: up to council

Underlying Message
Satire is permitted, but must align with community values and dignity

Conclusion

The Davao City Council’s response underscores the fine line between satire and offense—especially when it involves public figures revered by their communities. Vice Ganda’s performance, intended as a comedic critique, was formally condemned for crossing that boundary. However, city officials emphasized that their true concern lies with pressing civic matters, maintaining that comedy must be responsible and respectful of regional sentiments.