By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has rejected allegations that he was anti-woman, saying he actually once offered to become a hostage in exchange for a female captive.
The President urged the public not to believe accusations he was the enemy of women, following the launch of #BabaeAko social media campaign denouncing his alleged misogynistic behavior.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Hindi ako nagbabastos ha. Huwag kayong maniwala diyan sa mga ‘yang babae-babae na kalaban ko ," he said during the signing of the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018 in Malacañang last Monday. "Hindi ako nagyayabang ha. Sabihin ng mga babae na anti-woman ako. Mag-hanap ka ng presidente sa Pilipinas nagpa-hostage para sa babae ," he added, alluding to the hostage crisis launched by escaped prisoners in Davao City in 1989. The President, however, asked to cut the live television feed of his speech in the Palace so he could freely talk about his sentiment. "Sirahan mo ‘yang, ‘yang television mo. Para atakehin natin itong mga babae ," he said in jest. The President recently said he believes in the competence of women but some jobs are inappropriate for them. Duterte, already under fire for his sexist remarks, said women cannot stand threats and intimidation. He said men grew up with a mindset prone to violence while women are prim and proper. Some women activities recently launched a movement against the President's misogynistic remarks, saying they do not accept being insulted and belittled by the country's leader.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Hindi ako nagbabastos ha. Huwag kayong maniwala diyan sa mga ‘yang babae-babae na kalaban ko ," he said during the signing of the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018 in Malacañang last Monday. "Hindi ako nagyayabang ha. Sabihin ng mga babae na anti-woman ako. Mag-hanap ka ng presidente sa Pilipinas nagpa-hostage para sa babae ," he added, alluding to the hostage crisis launched by escaped prisoners in Davao City in 1989. The President, however, asked to cut the live television feed of his speech in the Palace so he could freely talk about his sentiment. "Sirahan mo ‘yang, ‘yang television mo. Para atakehin natin itong mga babae ," he said in jest. The President recently said he believes in the competence of women but some jobs are inappropriate for them. Duterte, already under fire for his sexist remarks, said women cannot stand threats and intimidation. He said men grew up with a mindset prone to violence while women are prim and proper. Some women activities recently launched a movement against the President's misogynistic remarks, saying they do not accept being insulted and belittled by the country's leader.