Roque: Duterte does not despise women, despite harsh words

President Rodrigo Duterte does not hate women even if he has made disparaging statements against them, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In an interview with GMA News’ The Mangahas Interviews, Roque said that the President has long instituted facilities promoting the welfare of women, dating back to his time as Davao City mayor.

“May track record siya. He has supported family planning programs for women. Wala pa tayong batas na VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children), may ordinance na siya sa VAWC sa Davao and other psychosocial services,” Roque said.

“Maski may sinasabi siya, he knows what he has done for women,” he added.

The President has been consistent in making sexist or misogynist remarks, particularly when directed against women who have criticized his policies.

He made a rape joke during the 2016 presidential campaign, saying that he should have been the first to rape a missionary who was gang-raped and killed by her captors.

The President has also said that soldiers should shoot female rebels in the vagina for them to become "useless," and said in January that the Presidency is not a job for a woman.

Late last year, he also questioned where Vice President Leni Robredo sleeps at night.

The President has also accused Senator Leila de Lima of being involved in the drug trade; claimed Rappler news website chief Maria Ressa was peddling fake news; and called former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno stupid for asking judges under the President’s drug list to only agree to an arrest when there is an arrest warrant. All of these women have criticized the Duterte administration.

Roque once again found himself trying to explain away Duterte's remarks, as he has often done in the past.

This time, he maintained that the President’s displeasure with these women is not because they speak their mind.

“Si de Lima is accused in a drug case. Kay Ressa, hindi po si Presidente ang nagsabi na lumabag siya ng saligang batas. Si Sereno, siya ay tinanggal ng kasama niya sa hukuman. Si Vice President, dahil namumulitika,” Roque said.

“This is not because they are women,” he added.

Duterte has also lashed out at then-Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and international figures such as International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and United Nations special rapporteur Agnes Callamard. — BM, GMA News