Duterte’s ‘misogynistic’ remarks condemned

A WOMEN’S right advocate Tuesday, February 26, condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s sexist remarks and alleged attack on women of during his public speeches.

During the press conference for Women’s Month celebration held at the city hall of the City Of San Fernando, this year’s event chairperson and long-time women’s welfare advocate right Dr. Leticia Yap said that the persistent “misogynistic” behavior of Duterte is “very unacceptable.”

“We are condemning what he (Duterte) is saying to women because as a woman, we know that we are equal to a man but with what he is saying, he is belittling the status of women in society and is invalidating what we have fought for and advocated for so long,” Yap said.

She added, “He does not recognize the contributions of women in the country’s and society’s development. He treats women like ‘toys,’ he looks at them as a minority and that is very unacceptable.”

City Administrator Fer Limbitco, for his part, said that the city government will not let Duterte’s tirades against women affect the governance in this capital city, especially in the implementation of programs concerning women.

“I do not see any reason why we would let his remarks affect our governance in the city. In San Fernando, we remain steadfast in recognizing and promoting the substantial role of women in society and no amount of maligning can ever take that,” he said.

At city hall alone, almost 42 percent or 677 of the total 1,641 manpower are comprised of women, the city’s Human Resources and Development Office disclosed.

Limbitco said that the data of different departments in the city hall also mirrors the unwavering commitment of the city government in advancing the rights of women while still ensuring equality among all genders.