PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Rodrigo “Digo” Duterte denigrates women with statements and actions that run counter to our advocacy to protect women and their rights.
Womanizing and treating women as objects are an affront to women; such behavioral acts are not something to boast about. They smack of machismo, reinforce society’s low regard for women and, in effect, add to women’s vulnerability to violence and abuse. Such acts are distasteful and unacceptable.
Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party reiterate the call to all candidates, especially those running for the highest office of the land, like Duterte, to refrain from making statements and committing acts that are offensive to women. Those setting their sights on ruling the country must impose upon themselves the highest ethical standards and should look to uplifting society’s regard for women and protecting them from abuse.
We urge Duterte and other candidates to focus on presenting their platforms and to discuss women’s and people’s issues rather than engaging in behavior that maligns women.
—REP. EMMI DE JESUS,
Gabriela Women’s Party,
gwp.emmidejesus@gmail.com