Filipinos are used to and appreciate President Rodrigo Duterte talking about rape to lighten the mood and, anyway, nobody can tell him what he can and cannot say, top officials said Tuesday.

On Sunday, Duterte pretended to read out offenses by Philippine Military Academy cadets that the president traditionally pardons at the military academy’s graduation rites. Among the supposed offenses was rape, drugs with rape and robbery, and multiple rape.

The Palace on Tuesday characterized Duterte’s comments as “mischievous” and said that the president talked lightly about sexual assault to make people laugh—which they did.

“People have been so used to his jokes hence his audience always receive them with hearty laughter,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, who is also chief presidential legal counsel, said in a statement to reporters.

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