Manila councilor accuses colleague of sexual harassment 

Manila Councilor Eunice Castro emotionally disclosed during a council session that she has been repeatedly harassed by her fellow councilor, Ryan Ponce.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Castro confronted Ponce: "Shame on you for treating us women like objects! Wala naman akong pinakitang hindi maganda sa iyo, bakit mo ako binabastos? (I have not wronged you. Why are you harassing me?)

Castro detailed instances of alleged harassment. For instance, Castro said that she wanted to shake hands with Ponce, but the latter poked her hand. 

“Gusto lang naman kitang batiin na ang galing mong magsalita. Sumenyales ako sayo ng high five, binaba ko, anong ginawa mo, dinutdot mo na naman ang kamay ko,” she said. 

(I just wanted to greet you because you spoke so well. I signaled to you for a high five, I lowered it, what did you do, you poked my hand again. 

Ponce also allegedly asked her about a kind of massage. Upon searching about it online, Castro found that he was referring to “ a massage that focuses on the female genitalia.” 

There were also some instances wherein Ponce would allegedly say lewd comments about her clothing.

“Marami ka ring binurang random message sa akin, katulad ng naka ‘see through ka kanina’, ‘good morning sexy’, ‘inaabangan ko ang suot mo kanina,’ ‘patingin muna ng good morning face mo at pantulog mo para good morning talaga,’” she shared during the session. 

Castro also addressed all women to speak up against harassment. 

“...Hindi niyo kailangang magpanggap para tratuhin kayo nang tama at hindi kayo nag-iisa. Hinihikayat ko kayong lahat, huwag mangamba, huwag magsarili, huwag mag-isa, huwag magkulong, Huwag matakot wala kayo. wala kayo, wala tayong dapat ikahiya, dapat rito sa taong abusado sa atin, tinatayuan, tinatawag, nilalabanan sa tamang paraan,” he said. 

(...You don't need to pretend so that you will be treated appropriately, and you are not alone. I encourage all of you, don't be anxious, don't keep it to yourselves, don't be alone, don't shut yourselves in, don't be afraid. You have nothing, we have nothing to be ashamed of. We must stand up to call out and fight the person who abuses us.) 

Meanwhile, Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza expressed full support for Castro, confirming that the issue has been referred to the Committee on Ethics for investigation.

“I stand with Councilor Eunice Castro and believe that what she has said during her privilege speech in our regular session today is admirable, as she has fought to have all the abused women’s voices heard. In our society where women are bound to endure their pain in silence, finally, there is a woman who stands for them,” said Atienza. 

Ponce apologized to Castro and said that he did not mean to offend his fellow councilor. 

“Ako po ay tumayo rito hindi po para ipagtanggol ang aking sarili. Ako po ay tumayo rito para buong pusong, buong kababaang loob na humingi ng paumanhin sa aking nagawa, sa aking nasabi,” he said. 

(I’m standing here not to defend myself. I stand here wholeheartedly, with all humility, asking for an apology for what I have done, for what I have said.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News