EXPRESSING grave concern on what she described as a disturbing pattern of President Rodrigo Duterte's behavior, Senator Risa Hontiveros described the attack of the Chief Executive against fellow Senator Leila de Lima as "misogynistic."
Hontiveros cited the issues about the rape joke on a murdered Australian missionary, the threat that he issued against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, and the recent attack that he made against Senator de Lima, all of which against women.
"They are a 180-degree turn from the apology he issued during the campaign period on his rape joke, and his reconciliatory tone to Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, whom she threatened with Martial Law regarding policy differences in the government's war against drugs. The President's latest statements establish a consistent and disturbing pattern, which is prejudicial to women," Hontiveros said.
The remarks, Hontiveros said, were extremely unpresidential and a breach of parliamentary courtesy that sets the Executive and Senate on a dangerous collision course.
"It is also an awful display of 'ad hominem politics.' President Duterte gave premium to personal attacks over real arguments, and appealed to prejudices rather than discourse. His statement depart from the government's commitment to transparency since one of the best ways to pursue truth is through healthy deliberations driven by facts," the Senator said.
Hontiveros said it's about time that Duterte stop attacking women.
"President Duterte cannot continue making injudicious statements. I again reminded him, being the highest leader of the land, his public political statement have the force and effect of policy. While he is know for his colorful language, it is not an excuse to insult and threaten women or target, without basis, a person's reputation," Hontiveros said.
The Senator also challenged the Senate leadership to defend the institution and the integrity of its members insisting that this is a very bad precedent if ignored. (Sunnex)