• A transgender woman was arrested at a mall in Quezon City after she was prohibited from using the women’s bathroom
• Gretchen Diez was handcuffed and brought to Quezon City Police District Station 7 Tuesday night for an unjust vexation complaint
• “Why not just Homo sapiens? We’re all the same,” remarked Senate President Vicente Sotto III in reaction to the incident.

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday (August 14) delivered a privilege speech renewing her call for Congress to pass the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) equality bill, a day after transgender woman Gretchen Custodio Diez was detained by police when she tried to document the harassment she experienced after she was barred from using the ladies’ restroom by a female janitor inside Farmers Plaza in Quezon City.

This unfortunate incident resulted in public outrage especially on social media. Celebrities, politicians, netizens rallied behind Diez and called out the mall and their staff for their actions.

Some senators were seemingly uninformed about SOGIE (sexual orientation and gender identity and expression) and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) as Senator Koko Pimentel questioned the difference between a transwoman and a transgender. Senator Panfilo Lacson voiced out the possibility of men with voyeuristic intentions using the SOGIE to freely enter women’s bathrooms.

While some Senators found themselves lost with questions with the reignited discussion on SOGIE, Senate President Vicente Sotto III suggested, “Why that lengthy letters? Why not just Homo sapiens? We’re all the same. Why do we have to segregate the gays from the lesbians from the straight guys?”

Hontiveros answered Sotto’s query that the term would have been unnecessary should there have been no discrimination against the LGBTIQA+ community.

“Hindi po sana kailangan mag-segregate kung ‘yung human civilization natin at mga societies natin ay nag-evolve to the point na walang discrimination, may equality among all, regardless of identity, regardless of expression,” she noted. “Kaya lang hindi ganun ang nangyayari… that is why the community felt it’s necessary.”

Senator Sotto’s manner of questioning didn’t sit well with netizens. Many believe that the Senate President should know better given his history of working with LGBTQIA+ in showbiz especially working with a show like Eat Bulaga with segments for LGBTQIA+ like the ‘Super Sireyna’ pageant.

Just showed that Tito Sotto is only an entertainer and never will be a problem solver..

— Corix (@RicoinAsia) August 13, 2019

Sen. Hontiveros and Tito Sotto represent two sides of Philippine society. The former explains SOGIE well and is willing to educate others. The latter, on the other hand, needs to be informed, educated, and enlightened. https://t.co/vahA1UOWhE

— CJ Dominguiano (@christianfreo) August 14, 2019

"Let's stop assigning and classifying diff gender roles and identities. Nakakalito lang ang mga 'yan."

Ok. First of all, you're dumb af I can't even. Idol mo ba si Tito Sotto?

— Ken Arao ▶ (@kenaraogabi) August 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/YvesAmodia/status/1161559921269207041

Itong si Tito Sotto kung mag-isip parang hindi homo sapiens sapiens tumatandang paurong papuntang homo sapiens

— Karl ☭ #EndStateFascism (@Krlgvrra) August 14, 2019

Itong si Tito Sotto kung mag-isip parang hindi homo sapiens sapiens tumatandang paurong papuntang homo sapiens

— Karl ☭ #EndStateFascism (@Krlgvrra) August 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/chacharrachacha/status/1161626337242562560

Ang issue ko dito is this: part of me, agrees with you that we are not obligated to give the oppressor a venue to defend itself. The other part recognizes that the patriarchy is insidious and that we must engage the perpetrators because they are as unaware as Tito Sotto.

— Kruna Lee Hytes (@chimeracupkeyk) August 14, 2019

https://twitter.com/jjcdizon/status/1161613922161418240

• Tito Sotto stated that marijuana is actually already legal in the Philippines.
• He added that the Food and Drug Administration has a Compassionate Special Permit Circular that provides access to unregistered drugs in the country for compassionate use.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that there is no need to pass a law that will legalize marijuana for medical use because one already exits.

The politician made the remark after Catriona Gray‘s win in the 2018 Miss Universe pageant on Monday, December 17, wherein she expressed that she approved of the use of cannabis for medical use but not for recreational purposes.

“It is just a matter of information campaign.”

He stated that the Section 2 Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act states that it is the policy that safeguards the integrity of its territory and the well being of its citizens, particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs.

View this post on Instagram

Delikado…. naka porma ulan sa likod!

A post shared by Tito Sotto (@helenstito) on Dec 15, 2018 at 5:44pm PST

“The government shall, however, aim to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous drugs.

“Ang linaw nito. Ang ka-kombinasyon nito, ‘yung FDA Compassionate Special Permit Circular No. 2014-009.”

The lawmaker added that the Food and Drug Administration also has a Compassionate Special Permit Circular that provides access to drugs and medicines that are not registered in the Philippines for compassionate use.

“So in the RA 9165 and FDA circular, we have a compassionate use provision. It is allowed already. So what are they talking about, they just don’t know the law.

View this post on Instagram

Award from my Alma Mater! Siempre Arriba, Siempre LETRAN!

A post shared by Tito Sotto (@helenstito) on Aug 30, 2018 at 5:44am PDT

“Meron na ba kayong nabalitaan na ang PNP hinuli ang medical marijuana? Wala, dahil hindi bawal e. Ano ang ile-legalize mo e legal.”

• A daughter of Tito Sotto’s dismissed employee posted an open letter on facebook.
• She expressed her disappointment regarding the treatment that her father has experienced. 

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III‘s close-in photographer’s daughter expressed her disappointment regarding the sudden dismissal of her father; this was written via an open letter.

Camille Muñoz David posted on facebook saying how confused they are since it’s 20 days before Christmas Day, her father was forced to sign a resignation letter and didn’t even have a chance to ask why.

View this post on Instagram

Meron bang mataas pa dito? Next time ha! @bangshang7 @giansotto @m_golfer

A post shared by Tito Sotto (@helenstito) on Jun 23, 2018 at 10:57pm PDT

“Kahit sinong empleyado, lalo kung makapangyarihan at maimpluwensiya ang kanilang amo, ay walang karapatang magreklamo kung nais silang tanggalin sa trabaho.

“Pero tao rin po ang tatay ko at tao rin kaming mga anak niya na marunong magdamdam at sumama ang loob!”

She said that her father started working for Senator Sotto on July 2, at the same time their mother was battling with stage 4 cancer.

Her father’s contract was supposed to be “co-terminus”, which meant that he’s to work with Sotto as long as he’s in the Senate.

View this post on Instagram

Naiiyak ako @angpoetnyo ! Wala ng SERENDIPITY, ito pumalit!

A post shared by Tito Sotto (@helenstito) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:31pm PDT

“Tanda namin ang mga petsang ito dahil habang inaatake ng ‘cancer’ ang aming ina, wala si Daddy sa kanyang tabi. Habang nagpapa-chemotherapy siya, hindi rin niya kasama si Daddy kasi may bago na siyang trabaho — sa opisina mismo ni Senate President Sotto.”

When their mother died in October, they were all devastated, but a part of them had a bit hope as their father has a nice job.

“Kahit may lungkot, pinipilit naming mag-adjust. Lalo na si Daddy na palaging inspirasyon ang pumasok sa Senado — siguro para maibsan ang lungkot na nararamdaman sa loob ng aming bahay. Sabi pa niya, panibagong simula ito sa kanilang pamilya — para sa aming mga anak niya at mga apo niya.”

David further stated that no one even bothered to explain why her father was dismissed from the office. It even added to their father’s sadness from the passing of his wife.

“Binigyan n’yo na sana ng pag-asa, na-murder n’yo rin pala,” she snapped.

View this post on Instagram

Ibang line up ito ha! @mannypacquiao

A post shared by Tito Sotto (@helenstito) on Apr 4, 2018 at 2:06am PDT

The Netizen concluded that her father doesn’t know that she wrote the letter, but her siblings felt like their father was a victim of unfair treatment.

• Eat Bulaga hinted about a possible studio transfer.
• They are said to move to a four-story building in Cainta, Rizal after using the Broadway Centrum for nearly four decades.

Is Eat Bulaga finally transferring to its new home?

A few viewers of GMA-7‘s daily noontime show have noticed what seemed to be hints that the program will move into a brand new studio.

A short video was shown in the middle of the program after the segment Boom. There, they introduced a kid named Amboy which invited his two friends to play.

It was seen that Amboy was holding a newspaper named Balita Pilipinas that contained the faces of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon. “4 na dekada ng saya” was also written.

The kid made the newspaper into a paper airplane and made it fly in the air. A sign was seen containing the words, “Truckrental para sa lipat-bahay”.

Amboy and his friends then went to a store wherein they were greeted by the owner that said, “Bulaga!”

When the children reached the playground, on of his friends said, “Ang saya naman dito, Amboy.

“Kahit nasaan tayo, masaya.” Amboy replied.

It was no secret that the show has been planning to move out of the said venue and are planning to move in a four-story building in Cainta, Rizal named APT Studios.

Eat Bulaga has been in numerous studios before, including Broadcast City, Celebrity Sports Plaza, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center, and in Broadway Centrum, wherein the show has stayed for almost 40 years.

• Senate President Tito Sotto suggested the abolition of the PCOO to be replaced by the Office of the Press Secretary.
• Harry Roque stated that only the President has the power to make such decisions.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has suggested the reestablishment of the Office of the Press Secretary in lieu of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) to streamline the operations of the government’s messaging arm.

Sotto has made the proposition during the Senate hearing on Wednesday, October 3, regarding the PCOO’s proposed ₱1 Billion budget for 2019.

“With the budget being discussed, now is the best time to review the possibility of turning it back into Office of Press Secretary to streamline its operations.

“Mas maganda kung gawing Office of the Press Secretary tutal si Martin Andanar was confirmed in the Commission on Appointments actually as press secretary.”

Sotto said the the PCOO’s budget will then be reallocated to the Office of the Press Secretary.

“‘Yung budget, magiging intact ‘yun. Maaaring mabawasan, maaaring madagdagan, depende sa usapan, depende sa mga debate, depende sa justification ng gastos nila. But the important thing is that they can streamline.”

He added that President Rodrigo Duterte has already been informed about it and “is receptive to the idea.”

Presidential Spokesperson Roque complimented the idea of the Senate President but stressed that Duterte is the only one who has the power to make a decision regarding the matter.

“That will really have to be a decision to be made also by the President because the creation of the PCOO is by reason of an executive order, [the] power of the president to reorganize the bureaucracy. It’s up to the President.”

This is in line with Mocha Uson‘s sudden announcement of resignation from her position as the Assistant Secretary of the government arm.

The PCOO was established in 2010 by former President Benigno Aquino III through Executive Order No. 4. It also created  the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).

• Sotto received high approval ratings at the recent Pulse Asia Survey.
• He also got the lowest distrust rating among the top 5 national officials.

According to the September 2018 Pulse Asia Survey released on September 25, majority of Filipinos trust Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III and approve of his performance.

Sotto obtained the second highest approval and trust ratings, only falling behind President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

The survey showed 73% of respondents approve of Sotto’s performance, while 6% do not. 21% are still undecided. In June 2018, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III got a 72% approval rating.

He also got the trust of the majority of respondents. 66% of the respondents say that they have “big trust” in him, 27% are undecided, and 6% have “small or no trust.”

Sotto got the lowest distrust rating among the top 5 national officials, including President Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Acting Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Carpio. Adding to that, he also received the majority’s approval and trust rating scores across all geographic areas and socio economic groups.

The Pulse Asia survey was conducted from September 1 to 7. It included face-to-face interviews and a multistage probability sample of 1,800 registered voters.

It was done during the President’s official visit to Israel and Jordan. It also coincided with the issuance of Proclamation 572 ordering the revocation of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty, the issue regarding rice shortage, the 6.4% inflation rate, and the Senate blue ribbon committee hearings regarding the Tulfo siblings’ advertisement controversy.

• Celebrities reacted to Tito Sotto’s suggestion to change the last line of the national anthem.
• Sotto described the current lyrics as “defeatist” which made him propose the lyrics revision.

The recent suggestion of Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III has garnered a lot of negative reactions from netizens.

But the netizens weren’t the only ones against the lyrics change to the national anthem. Celebrities have also expressed their surprise and disapproval of the proposal.

Vice Ganda poked fun at the issue.

E kung palitan na lang yung last line ng national anthem ng ‘Ang matraffic ng dahil sa’yo’??!! Mas keri ba?

Host and TV personality Bianca Gonzales immediately tweeted her rejection of the idea.

With all due respect, no thank you to changing our national anthem lyrics.

Ogie Diaz took his reaction to Facebook, asking if the lyrics change to the national anthem will solve serious issues such as inflation and corruption. He also proposed the revision of Hail Mary and Ama Namin.

Pag pinalitan na po ba ang linyang  yon sa Lupang Hinirang, bababa na po ang inflation?

Mababawasan na ba ang lumalagong bilang ng corrupt officials?

Magkakaisa na ba ang DDS, Dilawan at yung mga worried at concerned lang naman?

Kung mangyayari po ito, nako, kahit po “Ama Namin” at “Hail Mary” palitan nyo na rin po ang mga linya.

Jim Paredes questioned the importance of the said proposal.

Is this REALLY priority or a waste of time? Give people cheap rice! Control inflation. NOTHING will change if you alter the lyrics of Pambansang Awit!

Broadcasters Arnold Clavio and Joel Reyes Zobel also criticized Sotto’s proposal in an episode of their morning radio program on DZBB.

‘Ang ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo’

https://www.facebook.com/LionhearTV/photos/a.680561508629606/2176587499026992/?type=3

In his speech during the plenary debates on the proposed amendment to Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, Sotto talked about changing the last line of the national anthem because it is “defeatist.”

Sotto suggested changing the line “ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo” to “ang ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo.”

“Imbes na lumaban eh mamamatay eh. “Aming ligaya na kapag may nang-aapi ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.” Sa panahon ngayon dapat, “Aming ligaya ‘pag may nang-aapi ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo,” he said in one interview with the media.

• Senator Richard Gordon suggested the addition of a 9th ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.
• Historian argued against the recommendation, saying that it will destroy the historical context of the flag. 

On Tuesday, September 18, senators discussed Senator Richard Gordon‘s proposal of having a ninth ray in the Philippine flag’s sun.

Gordon is the sponsor of Senate Bill 102 which states the need to increase the rays of the sun to represent the Muslims who fought against the Spaniards.

“I think inclusion should be the policy. To include our Muslim brothers.”

On the other hand, Senator Franklin Drilon suggested a 10th ray for the people of the Cordilleras, which Gordon replied that one added ray can symbolize all the groups that are not a part of the original eight rays.

“The more important thing is when we replace the rays of the sun there will be discussions in our country’s schools…reminding our people that we have a rich past.”

Historian Xiao Chua contradicted the bill saying that an added ray would destroy the historical contect of the symbolism of the sun.

It is believed that the rays represent the first eight provinces that joined the fight for the Philippines’ freedom, namely Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. Chua said that it’s not the case.

“These were just the 8 provinces in which the Spaniards suspected that there are members of the Katipunan. To add the ninth ray to it would destroy the historical context. It is something that is not correct should we say it.”

Adding to the suggestion to add a ninth ray, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also urged a slight revision of Lupang Hinirang‘s lyrics. He wants to change “Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo” to “Aming ligaya na pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo” as the original one “sounds defeatist.”

• Tito Sotto suggested revising the lyrics of ‘Lupang Hinirang.’
• Netizens strongly opposed to Sotto’s proposal.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III suggests revising the lyrics of Lupang Hinirang.

In his speech during the plenary debates on the proposed amendment to Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, Sotto talked about changing the last line of the national anthem because it is “defeatist.”

Sotto suggested changing the line “ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo” to “ang ipaglaban ang kalayaan mo.”

https://www.facebook.com/LionhearTV/photos/a.680561508629606/2176587499026992/?type=3

In an interview with the media, he said, “Imbes na lumaban eh mamamatay eh. “Aming ligaya na kapag may nang-aapi ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.” Sa panahon ngayon dapat, “Aming ligaya ‘pag may nang-aapi ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo.

“Dapat laban hindi patay. My suggestion is perhaps the proper Senate Committee should study and we can consult the NCAA to look at that possibility.”

Netizens then reacted to Sotto’s suggestion. They joked about his lyrics change proposal.

Sotto’s proposal:

Mula Aparri Hanggang Jolo
Saan ka man ay halina tayo
Isang libo’t Isang tuwa
Buong bansa…

Buong bansa ay nagkakaisa
Sa tuwa’t saya na aming dala
Isang libo’t isang tuwa
Buong bansa…

Acheche.

“Sen. Tito Sotto wants a slight revision to Philippine national anthem “

Gagi anong gusto mo ???
BUONG BANSA EAT BULAGA ?

Tito Sotto ano na naman pakulo mo na baguhin Ang national anthem? Idagdag yung “mula aparri hanggang jolo “??

Allen Gaborro stated that Sotto is “intellectually unqualified.”

That’s Tito Sotto for you. Intellectually unqualified , underwhelming, and underwater. At best, he’s a man who knows a little about a lot.

Ian Darwin followed Sotto’s move and proposed that Leron Leron Sinta‘s last line should be changed to “kapos kapalaran, bigyan ng second chance” instead of “humanap ng iba.”

Okey din kaya kung papalitan ang huling linya sa kantang Leron Leron Sinta at gawing “kapos kapalaran, bigyan ng second change”

keysa “humanap ng iba”

#happyhormones #goodvibes

Karl Negado said that this is just a result of the Philippines’ economy declining, that the Senate President has ventured into song revision.

When your national economy is in the pits, it’s always a good idea to venture on singing song writing LMFAOOOO

A Twitter user then added this to the growing list of recent issues “hounding” the Philippine government.

PCOO USec Uson and a certain Drew Olivar mocking our constitution and the deaf-mute.

Pacquiao, head of Senate ethics committee

A certain Tito Sotto wanting revision of the Lupang Hinirang (or simply being a senator of the RP)

Lord, bless the Philippines.

@jwoein implied that Sotto just wants to cover up his Pepsi Paloma case in his history.

he wanted to be remembered as the one who changed the last line of the national anthem. and not the one who orchestrated the PEPSI PALOMA case!

Julian Felipe composed ‘Lupang Hinirang’ in 1898 while Jose Palma wrote the lyrics a year after.

• Tito Sotto suggested a total ban of all porn sites in the country.
• This is regarding the discussion of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2018.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto suggested the total ban of all porn sites in the country at the Senate discussions on August 30.

The bill in question, which is Senate Bill 1888 also known as Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2018, includes creating a program to educate teenagers on topics about sex like HIV/AIDS, dating, and pornography.

Adding to the discussion of the proposed topic, Sotto suggested denying porn site access to all Filipinos. “I’d like to imagine, how [to educate them]? One of the best ways to do it is to remove it in the internet — remove porn.” 

It was based on how Senator Risa Hontiveros perceived the said sites.

“In the internet age, for most of them needs education against cyber porn, precisely because cyber porn is one of the most damaging and cynical representations of human sexuality to young people.”

On January 2017, several porn sites have already been banned by telco companies because of the RA 9771, also known as the Child Pornography Law, however, lesser-known sites are still currently accessible.

Philippines has been ranked as the top 14th country worldwide that visits PornHub. The country has also been placed 3rd in Asia and the only Southeast Asian country on the list.

Aside from those, Philippines also holds the top spot when it comes to average time spent on the site.