Alejano hits Duterte's latest ‘sexist’ remark

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano on Sunday slammed President Rodrigo Duterte over his statement that the next Chief Justice should not be a woman.

"I cannot believe that a leader of a free nation in this age of democracy can still harbor such an outdated and depraved view of women," Alejano said in a statement.

"Man or woman, the qualifications of the next [Chief Justice] should hinge on competence, impartiality and integrity, as these are the essential qualities he or she should have,” he added.

In an interview with reporters last Wednesday, Duterte said the next Chief Justice should not be a politician and not a woman, as Chief Justice Maria Lourdes was ousted from her post after the Supreme Court granted the quo warranto petition against her.

"Gusto ko 'yung bilib ang tao sa integrity niya. Of course it could not be a politician, lalo na hindi babae," he said.

Alejano said Duterte was acting like a 1970s dictator with the ideals and principles of a 19th-century man.

"He feels sorely entitled to it as can be seen in the manner he flaunts it. Walang puwang sa ating lipunan ang ganyang kakitid at maling-mali na paniniwala,” he added.

Alejano said Duterte's latest remark is just one of the many "sexist" remarks he made against women, including Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Leila de Lima, ousted SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, Australian Catholic nun Patricia Fox, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

“He is bringing shame to our country. No leader in his right mind would dare say those things, much less be proud in saying it. This gung-ho attitude is not what makes a good leader,” Alejano said.

“At hindi rin siya magandang ehemplo sa kabataan. Ayaw nating maimpluwensiyahan niya ang ating mga anak na magkaroon ng mali at mapanirang paniniwala na ang lalaki at babae ay hindi pantay," he added.

Alejano pointed out that women also have an important role in nation-building.

"This nation, which he is supposed to lead, would not be where it is now without the countless contributions and sacrifices made by women before him. The President seriously needs some reminding,” he said. —ALG, GMA News