MANILA, Philippines — A women’s rights party-list slammed President Rodrigo Duterte anew—this time for spewing controversial words addressed to a Bohol town mayor.
In a statement Friday, Gabriela Women’s Party said Duterte flaunted his machismo on Garcia-Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja-Gallantes during a campaign rally in Bohol Wednesday night.
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“We in Gabriela Women’s Party strongly condemn this sick and disgusting display of machismo, infidelity and ethical bankruptcy,” the group said.
The president addressed Gallantes—whom he said was already separated from her husband—several times during his speech.
Duterte—who is living with his longtime partner, Honeylet Avanceña—asked the Bohol town mayor if she could run away with him. Duterte was previously married to Elizabeth Zimmerman before their marriage was annulled.
“[Y]ou are truly beautiful. If it were me, why would I ever break up with you? I will really grab and hold on to your panty if you try to leave, even until the garter snaps. You’re just too beautiful,” he said.
The chief executive added he was in Bohol “to play the game of love” as he quipped about asking former aide Christopher “Bong” Go to take care of his wife while he was away.
The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees mandates that all government officials and employees should perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill.
Duterte and cockroach
Gabriela said that with Duterte’s latest controversial action, it is “no wonder the cockroach cozied itself with the president in Bohol as he yet again spewed putrid material.”
In the same event, a cockroach interrupted the president’s speech while he was commending the virtues of the candidates he has endorsed for next week’s midterm polls.
His aide tried to scrape the insect away but an unfazed Duterte brushed it aside. He even added in jest the critter was a member of the opposition Liberal Party.
“Talagang dumadapo ang ipis sa basurang bulok at malinaw na kasama sa dinadapuan nito ay ay ang ‘yung may bastos at basurang bunganga gaya ng sa pangulo,” Gabriela said.
It also called on women to make the May 13 elections a platform to reject misogyny and macho-fascist leadership.
“Duterte allies who’d never bat an eye every time the president degrades, humiliates and sexualizes women do not deserve election to public office,” Gabriela said.
Duterte, the most powerful man in the land, is notorious for his controversial remarks about and actions toward women.
He drew the ire of various quarters for kissing a married Filipino woman in South Korea, claiming that he “touched” his maid when he was younger, ordering troops to shoot female rebels in the vagina and joking of using virgins to lure tourists to the Philippines.
Duterte's defenders say that the president loves women and that critics should look at ordinances in his hometown of Davao City that protect women from harassment. — Gaea Katreena Cabico