UNACCEPTABLE.
This was how President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the use of
sexist and inappropriate remarks in campaign speeches, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro, in a briefing in Malacañang, said Marcos said candidates should promote respect, integrity and truthfulness when they discuss their platforms during campaign sorties.
Castro expressed concern on how the style of campaigning of candidates have changed and why the public condone such acts by clapping or laughing when such remarks are made.
“Parang ipinagbubunyi ang mga kandidato, ang mga lider na nagsasalita ng walang karespe-respeto lalung-lalo na sa mga kababaihan. Ipinagmamalaki at ginagawang katatawanan, ginagawang joke ang pambababae ng mga kalalakihan. Ginagawa ring isyu at katatawanan ang mga rape na sitwasyon (It seems like we are celebrating candidates and leaders who speak disrespectfully, especially about women, those who make fun of and make a joke of rape),” she said.
Castro said such acts should stop.
“Hindi na po ito dapat, hindi po dapat na gawing idolo ang mga ganitong klaseng tao, hindi po dapat ito pamarisan. Hindi na po dapat ito pinapalakpakan, kung nagawa ito dati at pinapalakpakan, hindi na po sa panahon ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos na dapat itong mangyari (This should stop. These kinds of people should not be idolized. (These acts) should no longer be lauded. If this was done and applauded before, it should now stop under the administration of President Marcos),” she added.
Castro said Marcos expressed satisfaction with the fast action of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the cases.
The Comelec has issued two show cause orders against Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia who made a joke about solo mothers, and against a Misamis Oriental gubernatorial bet who said nursing scholarships should only be given to beautiful women.
Yesterday, the Comelec issued another show cause order, this time against a gubernatorial candidate in Nueva Ecija who allegedly made discriminatory statements against a person with disability (PWD) during a campaign sortie.
In a two-page order, the Comelec – Task Force SAFE directed Virgilio Bote to explain within three days of receipt of the order why he shouldn’t face disqualification as well as an election offense case for his remarks.
The Comelec – Task Force SAFE cited Bote’s April 3 campaign event where he issued the controversial statement.
“Ngayon naman po ay walang katalo-talo ang kalabang mayor ng aking mayor dahil nasa ospital na po ang kalaban namin. Di ko po pinabaril. May sakit po na, ano yun? Ano yung sakit? Bypass kidney stage five cancer. Cancer na rin! Kaya di na po makapangampanya. Kaya po kami ay nakaluwag,” said Bote as quoted by the Comelec.
The poll body said such a statement can be considered as “public ridicule against PWDs” or an act of making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of persons with disability.
“In our view, the foregoing utterances and/or acts constitute possible violations of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines,” said the Comelec – Task Force SAFE.
PASIG PWD
In a related development, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian yesterday assured the family of a woman with mental health condition who was exploited to discredit Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will provide them with legal assistance and other aid.
Gatchalian, in an interview with ANC’s Headstart, said the DSWD’s legal team is looking into the situation.
“We will make sure that we exhaust all legal remedies to make these people accountable,” he said, adding that among the complaint to be filed are violations of Republic Act No. 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” and Republic Act No. 7277 or the “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability.”
Gatchalian said the DSWD is also taking care of the woman and ger family through the provision of financial assistance and psychosocial intervention. – With Gerard Naval
