Filipinas urged to resist 'macho-fascism, misogyny' in government

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino women should not allow leaders who are “macho-fascists” and “misogynists” to rule the country, groups from different sectors said Thursday during the commemoration of International Women's Day.

"President [Rodrigo] Duterte and his cabal constitute a gang of macho-fascists in the bureaucracy, with military men and misogynists in almost every government post. We will never let this kind of regime fully lord over our country," Rep. Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela party-list) said.

Rep. Sarah Elago (Kabataan party-list) also stressed that a "leader who promotes macho-fascism and misogyny has no place not only in the government but also in society."

Duterte has been criticized for his remarks which groups said "normalized" and "encouraged" objectification, rape and other forms of violence toward women.

Government officials and supporters usually dismiss such remarks as instances of "sarcasm" or as part of the president’s supposed humor.

READ: HRW: Duterte's 'shoot them in the vagina' remark encourages sexual violence

De Jesus also said that the Duterte administration's move to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, attacks on free press, assaults against dissenters and arrests of activists "are uniting the broadest [sector] of women who are poised to frustrate his dictatorial dream."

For her part, Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela party-list) said that Duterte's anti-women and anti-poor policies such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law are adding fuel to the growing discontent of Filipinas.

"All these policies and pronouncements certainly do not confirm Duterte's claim that he is an advocate for women. Rather, these affirm Duterte's place as Filipino women's most hated president," Brosas said.

Various groups and individuals marked the celebration of International Women’s Day with demonstrations condemning the deadly crackdown on illegal drugs, proposal to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution and the threat of dictatorship

Justice for women killed under Duterte admin

Rights groups Karapatan and Tanggol Bayi called for justice for the women killed under Duterte’s two-year rule.

"We demand justice and accountability for the many more women slaughtered under Duterte’s war on drugs, among other anti-people policies. We recall that many more women human rights defenders killed, harassed and jailed by previous regimes who know laws, but never their implementation; who give lip service, but have been staunch defenders of the status quo," they said in a statement.

The groups urged Filipinas to work "with other oppressed sectors" to continue to fight for a just society.

"It is in the collective strength of women and the people that we have triumphed over dictators and patriarchal systems that have diminished us for a long time," Karapatan and Tanggol Bayi said.