Robredo says Pisay controversy a problem of culture not intelligence

Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday said the issue regarding Philippine Science High School (PSHS) students allegedly sharing private photos of their female schoolmates online is not only a matter of concern of the school but of the whole society.

In a statement, Robredo said the matter also deals with how society should act when women are "disrespected, demeaned, or abused, particularly when this is passed off as 'boys' having 'harmless fun,' and therefore 'normal' and 'acceptable'."

The Vice President noted that the problem was not of intelligence but of culture.

"Perhaps we should not be surprised that even in a community of our nation’s brightest young minds, the poor treatment of women, at the hands of even those they trusted as intimates or friends, persists," Robredo said.

"If we are to find a way forward, to a society where both women and men can truly have an equal opportunity to be the best we can be, then we must make the conscious, if difficult, choice to change that culture," she added.

Robredo's youngest daughter, Jillian, is a graduate of PSHS.

Robredo said women should "forge our way through a world of men seemingly determined to make us less than who we are," adding that females have been usually "forced" to endure indignities in silence.

"What is worse, this condescension and abuse is presented as simply being 'the way of the world,' with those who protest dismissed as 'overreacting' or 'someone who cannot take a joke,'" she said.

Robredo said changing the "culture" would start with calling out a disrespectful and abusive behavior against women as well as ensuring that those wrong actions will be sanctioned.

"Not making excuses for it, not attempting to justify it, but recognizing it for the injustice it is, and taking the necessary steps to ensure it is not repeated again," Robredo said.

Six scholars from PSHS have been barred from marching in their graduation ceremonies following their alleged involvement in the sharing of the private photos.

Three of the scholars may still graduate with a diploma from PSHS. Three other students may only be issued a certificate of completion which are still subject to completion of other requirements.

The board earlier decided to allow the six students to graduate, a move that was in contrast to the recommendation made by the school's discipline committee after a series of hearings. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News