The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) warned against any form of violence against women (VAW) amid the election period.
“Election season or not, women should not be targets of misogynistic, malicious, or sexist maneuvers. The PCW reminds everyone that violence against women, in all its forms, can never be justified and tactics to utilize the same must not be condoned,” said PCW in a press statement on Thursday, April 14.
The statement came after links supposedly leading to fake pornographic videos of Aika Robredo, Vice President Leni Robredo’s eldest daughter, suddenly surfaced on social media and search engine Google.
Meanwhile, the Commission reiterated that all forms of sexual harassment, including altering videos, as well as posting lies about victims online to harm their reputation, are penalized under the Safe Spaces Act.
“We call on the appropriate authorities to investigate these incidents to put an end to them once and for all,” said PCW.
“Sexist strategies, discimination, and VAW have no place in a decent election – a process that sits at the heart of a democracy where sovereignty resides in the people, all genders included,” it furthered.