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Netizens are in disbelief of President Rodrigo Duterte‘s Women’s Month message saying that people should put an end to the “backward mindset” when it comes to woman empowerment and gender oppression.
In a statement released by Malacanang signed by the President, it said that they can “proudly claim” that the government has done initiatives to promote women’s rights and the recognition of women’s contributions in society.
“Let us elevate women to their rightful place in society by empowering every Filipina to break not only barriers that have long hindered them from reaching their full potential, but also the backward mindset that fueled a culture of gender oppression and inequality,” the President said.
He then urged the public to support advocacies that seek to “fight for and acknowledge the inalienable rights of women as equal partners of men.”
This caused a series of annoyed reactions from netizens. Rappler CEO Maria Ressa claimed that the statement was “clearly not” from the president.
“I wonder if this administration thinks Filipinos have amnesia,” she wrote.
Clearly not President Duterte's words. I wonder if this administration thinks Filipinos have amnesia. https://t.co/X2liC2k3zV
— Maria Ressa (@mariaressa) March 8, 2021
The news site even tweeted a thread of Duterte’s past remarks against women.
Here's a thread of the president's sexist remarks:
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) March 8, 2021
They also mentioned his sexist comments in the past and stated that he really had the “audacity” to release such a message even after making fun of women.
Pres. Duterte had the audacity to embrace women although he ignominious and made sexist fun of them. You repulsive demon really got the guts, huh? https://t.co/5aO3mykNug
— Mark Denoy (@MarkDny) March 8, 2021
Others thanked the writer that crafted the speech instead of the President himself.
Thank you to the scriptwriter who wrote this statement in observance of Women's Month.
Also, take note of the misogynistic receipts from Duterte himself in the thread. https://t.co/QSkAJeeyHd
— T. Wombat (@tricolordwombat) March 8, 2021
Who is your ghost writer? LMAO https://t.co/nopZnZoeQ4
— ˗ˏˋ prince⁷ ˎˊ˗ (@chrysheightx) March 8, 2021
“Walk the talk, Mr. Duterte!” a netizen challenged.
Walk the talk Mr Duterte!!
I would believe that you are really pro women if you would stop lambasting and demonizing Vp Leni and if you would stop your lewd jokes about women.
— bella (@isabelmerana) March 8, 2021
Some even urged Duterte to look back to his past statements against women before celebrating.
https://twitter.com/rafaelinzo2/status/1368900312811991045
A netizen said that women “don’t need” someone like the President to celebrate the month with them saying that he wasn’t even welcome in the commemoration.
Duterte “celebrating” women’s month is not needed. We don’t need a mysoginist, a sexist, an admitted rapist celebrating this month with us. Kadiri ha? Di naman welcome nakikisali
— wig (@Kayelalers) March 8, 2021
Others described Duterte as a “hypocrite.”
https://twitter.com/jaghuiya/status/1368945096398229505
“On what part did you make this country a safe space for women?” a Twitter user asked.
On what part did you make this country a safe space for women? If my memory serves me right, you are an enabler of misogyny. You are the manifestation of what all women dislike and hate. Isa kang hangal,kupal. https://t.co/p8I6y0W5o8
— Rafa (@vicovictor_) March 8, 2021
The president’s list of sexist remarks includes a February 2018 statement ordering soldiers to “shoot communist rebels in the vagina.” In another speech, he said that foreign women don’t attract him as much because they have a “queer” odor.
“Sa malayo, maganda, exotic eh. ‘Di mo nakikita pero paglapit mo, queer na ang amoy. No, no, no, no, no. Balik tayo sa kwarto…Faithful ako sa Filipina. Marami lang sila pero faithful ako. ‘Di naman kailangan isa lang. Basta faithful ako sa Filipina. Mabango eh.”
In a more recent event, Duterte made the remark that women aren’t fit for the presidency as their “emptional set-up” is different from men’s.
“My daughter, inuudyok man nila. Sabi ko, ‘My daughter is not running.’ I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan ko. Hindi ito pambabae,” he said.
“Alam mo, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito.”
