Team DailyPedia
Comedian Tuesday Vargas has defended San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora against social media users who sexualized the lawmaker’s manner of speaking while questioning a police official during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings.
Vargas criticized those who interpreted Zamora’s conduct as flirtatious, emphasizing that the public prosecutor was performing her official duties and asking questions about a serious matter.
“She was doing her job; you are the one with a dirty mind,” Vargas said.
While acknowledging that making jokes is not inherently wrong, the comedian stressed that the substance of Zamora’s questioning should not be overlooked.
“HINDI DAPAT MARAMING BARIL ANG ISANG PUBLIC OFFICIAL,” she added.
Vargas’ remarks followed online comments accusing Zamora of “acting cute” and being flirtatious during her direct examination of P/Maj. Joericson Sangalang, head of the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO).
The questioning on September 28 centered on firearms registered to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. According to Sangalang’s testimony, Philippine National Police records showed that the couple had 51 registered firearms—22 under Duterte’s name and 29 under Carpio’s.
The witness placed their combined estimated market value at approximately ₱7.2 million, comprising ₱2.184 million for Duterte’s firearms and ₱5.035 million for Carpio’s. The defense, however, challenged the relevance of the valuation, emphasizing that the figures represented estimated market prices rather than the firearms’ actual acquisition costs.
The prosecution presented the records in connection with Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth and disclosure of assets in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
During a press briefing the following day, September 29, Zamora addressed the criticism surrounding her questioning style, saying she found it unfortunate that women in professional positions continued to face sexist remarks.
“You know it’s so unfortunate that a lot of Filipinos still think that way, they still make misogynistic remarks, especially directed towards women, girls, who apparently are smart and can speak well, and can be a lawyer in an impeachment court,” she said.
“So siguro, they can’t handle sass, they can’t handle style.”
The lawmaker maintained that the online attacks would not distract her from her responsibilities.
“I don’t care if they bash me, I’m here to do my job. I mean seriously, they should get a life.”
Prosecution spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers likewise criticized the personal attacks against Zamora, describing them as misogynistic and lacking substance.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V offered a shorter expression of support: “Slay, girl.”
Vargas’ intervention added an entertainment personality’s voice to the discussion, redirecting attention from Zamora’s appearance and delivery to the substance of the testimony she was presenting.
