De Lima says sharing of nude photos of students influenced by Duterte's vulgarity, rape jokes

Detained Senator Leila De Lima on Saturday said President Rodrigo Duterte's supposed vulgar language, sexist remarks and rape jokes on women have promoted a culture of misogyny on the youth.

De Lima made the statement as she expressed concerns over the recent incidents of the sharing of nude photos and videos of female students on social media.

"Kung ang mismong pinakamataas na pinuno sa bansa ay walang modo, walang respeto sa kababaihan, at ginagawa lamang katatawanan ang mga sensitibong usapin gaya ng rape, at nagagawa pang ipagtanggol ng kanyang mga tagasunod, ano pa nga ba ang aasahan nating magiging impluwensya nila sa ating kultura, lalo na sa kaisipan ng mga kabataan?" De Lima said.

Recently, some students of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) allegedly posted online private and unseemly photos of female students, some of whom are minors.

Six of the PSHS scholars were barred from marching in the graduation rites following their alleged involvement in the sharing of photos of schoolmates online.

Nude photos of University of Santo Tomas (UST) students were also reportedly being shared on a daily basis via group chat and with the use of Google Drive.

“Due to unregulated nature of social media platforms and other online spaces, young people are now allowed [uncontrollable] freedom to share abusive content, if not become the victim of online oversharing themselves,” De Lima said.

“These incidents are a clear case of electronic violence involving female students, and if left unchecked and unaddressed, could lead more children and teenagers to do the unthinkable and endanger more young females," she added.

De Lima co-authored the Senate Bill No. 1251. or the Anti-Gender-Based Electronic Violence Bill.

De Lima also filed Senate Resolution No. 945 last year seeking a Senate inquiry into the increasing cases of child cybersex abuses in the country. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News