This month is considered Women’s Month, and President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a message stating that he supports women.
In a recorded speech, the President stated that the government recognizes women’s role in nation-building.
“The government recognizes the role of women in nation-building and upholding the fundamental equality between the law of both genders,” Duterte said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the government ensures that women will have equal rights same as men.
“This is why we are working relentlessly to ensure that they will have equal access to education, economic opportunities, health care and social services, and growth opportunities,” he continued.
Then he urges people to participate in supporting the advocacies and activities of women towards women empowerment.
“But the work is far from over. Thus, I urge our people to participate in advocacies and activities that promote women’s empowerment. Let us all work hand-in-hand to address the needs of women and honor their immense contribution to society. Mabuhay ang ating mga kababaihan.”
Pres. Duterte, who has been criticized for numerous sexist remarks, says the gov't is "working relentlessly" for equal opportunities for women in his message for the National Women's Month celebration. pic.twitter.com/KmRcTZpLQs
— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) March 3, 2021
Duterte, known for his derogatory remarks on women and his constant ‘rape-jokes’–seems to be not the perfect person to deliver such a message.
Last 2016, Duterte made headlines during his presidential campaign because of his story. A story on how an Australian missionary was raped. What’s shocking he joked that he wanted to be the first to rape the victim.
“P***** i**, sayang ito. Ang nagpasok sa isip ko, nirape nila, pinagpilahan nila doon. Nagalit ako kasi nirape? Oo, isa rin ‘yun . Pero napakaganda, dapat ang mayor muna ang mauna. Sayang,” said Duterte.
Then in 2017, he again made a rape joke. This time it’s about a joke encouraging soldiers to commit rape. Following that joke, the President is once again in his bag of dirty jokes as he said that he will “congratulate” anyone who could rape Miss Universe. And he had done this in front of diplomats.
“You can mess with, maybe Miss Universe. Maybe I will even congratulate you for having the balls to rape somebody when you know you are going to die,” he said.
Not just that, in 2018, Duterte kissed a Filipino OFW on stage while he was speaking to a crowd in a South Korea event. What came next was him kissing the woman, on the lips, in a live event. With his actions, he was described as a “Misogynist President”.
@bobalyparksj did not forget how people call Duterte a misogynist. That is why the Netizen does not believe the message the President was trying to impart.
Misogynist tapos ganito speech https://t.co/s0hcef1pSr
— YssaFLOWER SENSE | Yssa (@bobalyparksj) March 3, 2021
@maricathleia also cannot believe the message of Duterte. The president, who has earned himself for being a sexual predator has shared last 2018 that he molested his maid. Now, he is all for women’s empowerment.
https://twitter.com/mariacathleia/status/1367072441990746115
In 2020, during the Typhoon Ulysses’ onslaught, Duterte wanted to “lighten the mood.” He did by telling a rape joke. Moreover, he goofed around with his aides talked about sex and womanizing amid a typhoon briefing.
On numerous occasions, Duterte has looked down on his second-in-command, Vice President Leni Robredo. The president assigned Robredo as the co-chairperson for Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). However, in just 18 days, he fired Robredo and looked down on her findings and recommendations.
That is why @jaowao tweeted that the President delivers a message to empower women and yet he underestimates his Vice President who is a woman.
https://twitter.com/jaowao/status/1367086724015267845
Also, Duterte this 2021 said that the Presidency is not a job for women.
This was during rumors about her daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte running for the position in the coming elections.
“Hindi ito pambabae. Alam mo, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito. That is the sad story,” Duterte said in a speech during the inauguration of the Skyway Stage 3.
Recently, on March 1, Duterte wished that Robredo die after her criticism of the national vaccination drive. The President also called her “vile and evil”.
“Sometimes, you make an idiotic stance. Iyong mga ganoong ‘They deserve the best.’ Anak ka ng. Bakit ako? I would give them the worst? Mamatay ka na. Hindi ko iwanan ‘yong mga frontliners and you do not need to really be redundant about it,” said Duterte.
Netizen @jaycel ridiculed the speech given by Duterte who just recently wished his Vice President, a woman, to die.
you're kidding right………..nung isang araw lang, you said "mamatay ka na" to a woman, the vp at that https://t.co/g4YvmDje7n
— ace of wands (@jayceI) March 3, 2021
Women’s rights advocate Rina Jimenez-David pointed out that the President’s critics are women–Sen. Leila de Lima, ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes-Sereno, and journalist Maria Ressa, all women, have faced serious consequences for criticizing Duterte. Hence, his “women empowering” speech is believed to be contradictory.
