MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party (LP) has launched an investigation into the sexy girls who allegedly danced with a party supporter on stage during Thursday's LP event in Laguna.
In a statement, LP standard bearer Mar Roxas II said the party leadership is now looking into the incident which he did not witness as he was not in the area where the performance was held.
"Ikinalulungkot kong nangyari ito, at nagsasagawa na ang Partido Liberal ng mas malalim na pagsisiyasat sa ugat ng pangyayari," Roxas said.
Though he did not see the performance, Roxas reiterated that the LP prohibits such gimmickry in the party's gathering or convention, especially something that degrades women.
"Hindi ko nasaksihan ang performance; Lilinawin ko po: Mariin kong ipinagbabawal sa anumang aspekto ng ating kampanya ang ganitong uri ng pagsasamantala sa kababaihan," Roxas said.
"Naniniwala akong may sapat na talino ang publiko upang tumutok sa makabuluhang diskurso ukol sa mga isyu at pagkatao ng mga kandidato. I remind those who stand with us on the Daang Matuwid: Iwaksi natin ang ganitong klaseng mga gimik, lalo pa’t nakakabastos ito, at walang naitutulong sa pagtataas ng antas ng pampublikong diskurso," he added.
Videos uploaded on the website YouTube showed three women performing a sexy dance number during the birthday celebration of Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.,
One of the dancers was seen humping an unidentified male wearing a yellow shirt and simulating the sexual act.
The emcee of the program reportedly informed the audience that the dancers were sent by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino.
Tolentino denied that he was the one who sent the girls to the event, adding he was just also a guest at the event.