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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Objectification of women’: Gabriela calls out Mocha’s sexually suggestive campaign material

'Objectification of women’: Gabriela calls out Mocha’s sexually suggestive campaign material

Published Apr 10, 2025 06:54 am

 

 

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Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson (MB FILE PHOTO)

 

 

Women’s rights group Gabriela has called out Manila councilor bet Esther Margaux "Mocha" Uson for her sexually suggestive campaign materials, saying recent incidents show a continuing pattern of misogyny and objectification of women in the 2025 polls.


 

Several candidates in the mid-term elections were recently called out for their offensive jokes which were deemed degrading to women.


 

In a statement on Thursday, April 10, the group said Uson’s campaign jingle “cookie ni Mocha” reduces women as just mere “sexual objects.”


 

“The use of sexually suggestive campaign jingles and materials only reinforces the harmful objectification of women's bodies and reduces them to sexual objects rather than dignified human beings with political agency," Clarice Palce, the secretary general of Gabriela, said.


 

According to Gabriel, women are not famished for cookies and sexually suggestive jingles, but rather they are hungry for livable salary, regular jobs, low-price foods, social services, and respect, and their rights and dignity.


 

Filipinos, the group said, deserve better from candidates who are gunning for public offices.


 

"We need candidates who will champion policies that genuinely uplift women's conditions—living wages, affordable healthcare, protection from violence, and equal opportunities—not those who trivialize women's issues or use women's bodies to gain attention," said Palce.


 

Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on the candidate to not use her campaign jingle which has “double meaning.”


 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday urged vlogger Esther Margaux "Mocha" Uson, who is running for councilor in the 3rd District of Manila, to refrain from using campaign jingles that have "double meaning."


 

Uson, a staunch supporter of former president Duterte, is running as councilor in the third legislative district of Manila City.


 

In September 2019, Duterte appointed Uson as deputy executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).


 

The celebrity-turned-public servant campaigned for Duterte in the 2016 presidential race.

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