NAME-CALLING: Former DILG chief and Liberal Party standard- bearer Mar Roxas on Thursday turned the tables on Davao City Mayor and 2016 rival Rodrigo Duterte after the latter called him "bayot."

"Bayot" is a word used to describe a person who is effeminate or gay.

Duterte earlier called Roxas "bayot" for questioning his campaign promise of ridding the country of crime in six months if he is elected president.

"Wala, si Mar, bayot. Hindi niya kaya. Hindi. Kaya ko kasi lalaki ako," Duterte said.

"Hindi ka lalaki, papaano 'yan? Takot kang pumatay, takot kang mamatay. Eh subukan mo ako. Maghawak ka ng shabu sa harap ko, pasabugin ko ulo mo. You try holding shabu in my presence. 'Pag di kita binaril sa ulo, t

"L**** ka. Ikaw bayot, ako kaya ko. Hindi ka marunong pumatay? Eh kung patayin ko lahat 'yan isang araw, anong pakialam mo. Ginawa ko na 'yun noon, eh ba di gagawin ko uli ah."

READ: Duterte curses Cotabato governor over rice donations

In response, Roxas said Duterte always resorts to name-calling when called on to defend his campaign promises.

"Alam mo, eto lang masasabi ko. Hindi ka ba nahihiya sa mga kababayan natin? Binigyan kita ng facts, datos, katotohanan. Ang iyong masasagot lang ay paninira? Name-calling? Hanggang diyan na lang ba ang kakayahan mo na makipag-argue o makipag-discuss tungkol sa mahahalagang isyu na siyang bumabalot sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan?" he said.

"Yun lang ang masasabi ko diyan."

Roxas earlier described as "pambobola" Duterte's promise that he can rid the country of crime in just six months or he would resign as president.

READ: Duterte's anti-crime vow 'pambobola,' says Roxas

He noted that Davao City, Duterte's bailiwick, is one of the cities with the highest number of index crimes.

Top 15 cities with highest index crimes

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda has also questioned Duterte's vow to rid the country of all crime, adding that alleged extrajudicial killings of criminals happened in Davao City when Duterte was mayor.

READ: Kill the criminals! Duterte's vote-winning vow in Philippines

"Duterte is long on sound bite but short on implementation other than killing every child and adult offender," he said.

"He was mayor for 20 years and crime is still rampant. How can he expect crimes to be solved in 3 to 6 months? Will he release his death squads all over the country and spread the reign of terror all over the country?"