Andronico Del Rosario
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque came to President Rodrigo Duterte’s aid [once more] as he defended his boss’s ‘stand’ on the place of women and women’s rights.
Roque would go out of his way to cite data to defend Duterte’s recent statement about empowering women and breaking a ‘backward mindset that fuelled a culture of gender oppression and inequality.’
Netizens and the media had a field day on Duterte’s statement, but Roque defended the President during yesterday’s Laging Handa media briefing with gusto.
Roque: Yung mga kritiko, siguro sanay na silang pumuna nang pumuna sa Presidente. Pero ano ang datos? Kinikilala tayo sa buong mundo
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 8, 2021
Roque claimed that the Philippines is recognized as one of the global leaders for gender equality, citing data from the World Economic Forum.
He cited data suggesting the country is at the top of Asia in pushing for gender equality.
Netizens, however, continue to wonder where Roque gets his confidence after being a widely-recognized human rights lawyer.
Duterte and his opinion on women.
News media would present receipts to Roque disproving his claim that the country is one of the best at women empowerment—at least when it came to the President.
From the President saying women were ‘unfit to run for President’…
Among his previous remarks was being President is not a woman's job, as he discouraged his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for the position https://t.co/kW3CnkQEMF
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 8, 2021
… to him taking a swipe every time Vice President Leni Robredo fired off a critique of his administration.
Duterte on Robredo: I hope next time, kung wala naman siyang masabi na tama, she just maybe shut up.
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) March 8, 2021
Duterte is also known for his misogynistic remarks, dropping the occasional rape jokes even in official functions.
Netizens would record receipts of Duterte’s vastly different statements, asking him to be more careful in signing statements.
same day https://t.co/L7VRZqOyyj pic.twitter.com/7d0L8JYagf
— Anj (@anjpessumal) March 8, 2021
1. duterte, YOU are the backward mindset that fuels oppression
2. remember kids, women don’t have to be associated with men to have value :))
Happy International Women’s Day 💜 https://t.co/wyRT7FUqHQ
— jai (@jairamarieeee) March 8, 2021
Apart from calling out women, Duterte is also known to retract statements he has made on national TV, often using his background as a lawyer as an excuse.
When it comes to promoting women’s rights and women empowerment, Roque’s claimed that the country is on the top in Asia.
Duterte’s statements, however, always run the opposite of what legislators—particularly women in Congress—are trying to promote.
