SAYING his remarks were reminiscent of language used by \u201cpimps in prostitution dens,\u201d women\u2019s rights groups on Friday warned that putting Rodrigo Duterte in Malaca\u00f1ang would set back the women\u2019s cause for many years.<\/p>\n\n
Ratcheting up their attacks on the Davao City mayor, representatives of women\u2019s groups who earlier complained to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) about his sexist and demeaning remarks, held a press conference yesterday to denounce the Davao City mayor, now the front-runner in presidential election surveys.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cHis remarks [about the Australian victim during a prison riot in 1989]\u2026these are being said by pimps in prostitution establishments,\u201d said Jean Enriquez, executive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking In Women-Asia Pacific.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThey need to be first, or the patron has to be first. That\u2019s the system in a patriarchy, where sexism and machismo rule,\u201d she told a press briefing in Quezon City.<\/p>\n\n
Duterte came under fire last week for his outrageous recollection of a 1989 prison siege, remarking that he, as mayor, should have been first to rape an Australian lay missionary who was assaulted and slain by hostage-takers in a Davao penal facility.<\/p>\n\n
In the same forum, socio-political activist and feminist Ana Maria Nemenzo said it was unacceptable for a Philippine leader to have a \u201csubliminal wish\u201d to be the first to rape a woman.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cAll of the presidential candidates have weaknesses. But when Mayor Duterte spoke about that incident, that\u2019s when his bad character was exposed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n
A Duterte presidency, she said, would set back the women\u2019s rights movement \u201cmany years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Nemenzo, coordinator of WomanHealth Philippines, said she was not discouraged by Duterte\u2019s rise in the opinion polls, believing that the full impact of his controversial statements had not been reflected by the latest surveys.<\/p>\n\n
Two recent surveys give Duterte a 7- to 12-point lead over his nearest rival Sen. Grace Poe.<\/p>\n\n
Women\u2019s groups filed a rights complaint against Duterte before the CHR on April 20. In response, Duterte initially said he wished to talk to the women, but later told them, through media, to \u201cgo to hell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Joshua Mata, secretary general of Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa, said he and other men\u00a0 were sympathetic to the women\u2019s cause.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cAs a man, I am insulted by Duterte\u2019s representation of men. Men are not that crass or vulgar, and most importantly, men respect women, especially those who love their mothers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n
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