Makabayan solons to Duterte: Presidency not for those who look down on women

The presidency is not for those who look down on women, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas said Friday, after President Rodrigo Duterte said leading the country is not a job for a woman.

At a virtual press conference, Brosas -- a member of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives -- condemned Duterte's remark and used it to criticize him.

“It is not for those who refuse to release their SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and net worth). It is not for those who resort to red tagging when criticized by progressive organizations and individuals,” she said.

“President Duterte should focus on pressing issues rather than desperately trying to put his daughter in the limelight for the 2022 elections. Hupas na ang ganiyang taktika. Dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagbibigay ng ayuda at serbisyo sa mga kababayan natin at ‘di pangangampanya,” she added.

In a speech Thursday, Duterte said he is discouraging his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, from running for president in the 2022 elections despite being urged by many.

"My daughter, inuudyok naman nila, sabi ko ‘My daughter is not running.’ I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan [ko]," Duterte said.

"Hindi ito pambabae. Alam mo the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito," he added.

For her part, Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago said the presidency knows no gender.

“What matters most is integrity in the performance of mandate. To serve the Filipino people and the nation. Mahalaga na hindi nito hahayaan ang pagdurusa ng mamamayan sa taas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Mahalaga na hindi nito hahayaan ang kabi-kabila na paglabag sa kaparatang pantao at ang tumitindig na estado ng impunity sa ating bansa,” she said,

“Most of all, we must keep sexism out of Malacañang and public service,” Elago added.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the women of the country will ensure that the next administration would be better after Duterte’s remark.

"Filipino women have endured and overcome more than his presidency, and we will help take it back for a more worthy administration," Hontiveros said in a statement.

The Philippines already had two presidents who are women — Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1992, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. Both their predecessors — former Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada — were removed from power following massive street protests.

Sara Duterte had earlier topped a Pulse Asia survey on possible candidates for president in the 2022 elections, but she said she was not interested and asked survey firms to exclude her in similar surveys in the future. —KBK, GMA News