From Laughter to Legislative Condemnation—How One Line on Stage Sparked a City Council Backlash, Public Debate, and National Spotlight on Freedom of Speech

It was supposed to be just another glittering night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The crowd had packed the venue for Super Divas, a powerhouse concert featuring Vice Ganda and Regine Velasquez. Laughter echoed through the arena—until a single joke took the evening from comedy to controversy.

The Joke That Made Waves

In the middle of her banter, Vice Ganda slipped into a parody routine that would soon become the most talked-about moment of the night. Borrowing from the viral “Jet2holidays” meme, she pitched a satirical travel package:

“Nothing beats a jet ski holiday—ride now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski! Get unlimited water bombing from Chinese vessels and a free trip to The Hague by the ICC. Promo applies to DDS only. Pinklawans and BBMs are prohibited.”

The punchline was a clear nod to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 campaign remark that he would personally ride a jet ski to plant the Philippine flag in disputed waters.

She then upped the ante by mimicking Duterte’s gravelly voice and tossing in a signature expletive-laden warning:

“Huwag n’yo akong subukan, mga p***a ia n’yo.”

For some in the audience, it was classic Vice—sharp, fearless, and unapologetically political. But for others, particularly in Duterte’s hometown of Davao, it was a slap in the face.

Davao City Council Strikes Back

The fallout was swift. Within days, the Davao City Council convened and passed a resolution condemning Vice Ganda’s remarks as “cheap insults and distasteful humor.”

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the author of the resolution, did not mince words. “This is not just about a joke. It is about disrespect to a man who served Davao for decades and brought it into the national spotlight. We cannot condone this kind of mockery.”

The resolution stopped short of declaring Vice persona non grata, but it was an unmistakable public rebuke from a city fiercely loyal to its former mayor-turned-President.

No Official Ban—But a Public Warning

Amid the uproar, rumors spread like wildfire on social media claiming that Vice had been banned from setting foot in Davao. Fact-checking groups quickly debunked this: no official ban had been issued.

Still, the condemnation was clear, and the message unmistakable: in Davao, poking fun at Duterte is no laughing matter.

Malacañang’s Surprising Take

Not everyone in political circles joined the pile-on. Claire Castro, speaking for the Presidential Communications Office, offered a more measured response, noting that satire is a legitimate form of commentary.

“She was referencing something the former President himself once joked about,” Castro said. “We should be able to laugh at ourselves and our leaders, as long as it doesn’t cross into outright hate.”

The Duterte Family Responds

Even within the Duterte family, reactions were mixed. Rigo Duterte, the former President’s grandson and a member of the city council, dismissed the calls for a persona non grata declaration, calling them “overkill.” He criticized the remarks as “cheap insults for clout” but insisted the Council had bigger priorities, like infrastructure and public safety.

The Bigger Picture: Comedy Meets Politics

This isn’t the first time Vice Ganda has tested the boundaries of satire. As one of the Philippines’ most recognizable entertainers, she’s built her career on bold humor and social commentary. But in a country where politics and personality cults run deep, humor that touches political idols can quickly turn into a political crisis.

For Davao, Duterte is not just a former president—he’s a hometown hero, the man credited with transforming the city into one of the country’s safest and most developed urban centers. Any perceived slight against him resonates as a personal insult to many Davaoeños.

Public Opinion: Divided and Loud

The nation’s reaction has been a split screen.

On one side, supporters of Vice argue that comedy must remain fearless, that satire’s role is to challenge authority and spark conversation. “If politicians can’t take a joke, they shouldn’t be in politics,” one popular Facebook post read.

On the other, critics accuse Vice of deliberately stirring controversy to grab headlines, calling her joke disrespectful, unfunny, and politically divisive.

Where Do We Draw the Line?

The “Jetski Holiday” issue has now evolved beyond Vice Ganda herself. It has become a national conversation about free speech, political sensitivity, and the role of humor in public life.

In a country with deep political divides, this incident underscores the tightrope comedians walk—balancing the punchline against potential backlash. The debate now is not just whether Vice went too far, but whether the public reaction says more about her joke or about the political climate that made it explosive.

What’s Next for Vice Ganda?

For now, Vice Ganda continues her shows, seemingly unfazed by the controversy. If anything, the incident has given her more media attention—though not all of it flattering.

Whether she will address the issue directly in future performances remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the “Jetski Holiday” joke will follow her, in headlines and in the memories of those who witnessed it, as a reminder of the volatile mix between humor and politics in the Philippines.