Top ‘bastos’ now in The Hague: Misogyny now passé, bets told
MANILA, Philippines — Misogynistic tactics should be put to rest, as they will no longer lead to electoral victory, the Akbayan Partylist urged political candidates on Wednesday.
“The time is over when being bastos (disrespectful) will be the path to electoral victory. The one who is the bastos is now in The Hague,” Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña, alluding to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s who is now detained in the International Criminal Court, said in a statement.
“Sexist remarks have real consequences. It’s time to end them and uphold respect and dignity in our elections.”
Cendaña made the remark as several candidates received flak and call out from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over their distasteful remarks on women.
Comelec first issued a show cause order on April 4 against Pasig City lone district representative aspirant Ian Sia for his remarks offering himself to single mothers, especially “menstruating” ones. A second show-cause order was issued by the panel against Sia on Tuesday, this time over remarks that appear to fat-shame his former assistant, also a woman. Sia has yet to respond to this.
READ: Sorry is not enough, Comelec chief tells Pasig bet
On Monday, April 7, the Comelec issued two show cause orders against Misamis Oriental gubernatorial reelectionist Peter Unabia and Mataas na Kahoy town vice mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan.
Unabia was asked to explain his unsavory remarks on “ugly” nurses and Moro people, while Ilagan is ordered to do the same, this time over his remarks against opponent Vilma Santos-Recto whom he called “laos” (has been) while alluding to her old age.
On Wednesday, Davao de Oro representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga is being asked by the Comelec’s anti-discrimination panel to explain his misogynistic remarks and his lewd remarks on a widow.
READ: Comelec asks Davao de Oro guv bet to explain lewd remarks vs widow
The panel said the candidates’ remarks could be a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116.
The resolution states that no discrimination shall be acted against marginalized groups like women, along with people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and persons with disabilities.
“Leadership begins on the campaign trail. If you resort to demeaning jokes now, it’s a sign of how you will govern later,” Cendaña said.
“Let’s leave misogynistic at homophobic remarks in the past,” he continued. “We understand that candidates want to make their speeches lively and memorable, but crude, sexist humor has no place in our politics.”
