EDITORIAL - Women as gifts

After the country has been led by two women presidents, and with women heading the Supreme Court and most of the constitutional bodies, you’d think male politicians would have more respect for the other gender.

Instead three scantily clad women were made to dance in front of members and supporters of the ruling Liberal Party. Video footage showed one of the women twerking in her underwear on stage and then, for the rousing finale, dry humping with a guest wearing the LP’s trademark yellow shirt.

An emcee announced that the three “Playgirls” were a gift from Chairman Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to Laguna 4th District Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr., who was celebrating his 58th birthday and 40th year in government service.

The celebration took place shortly after new LP members in Laguna took their oath at a party gathering earlier this week in Sta. Cruz town that was attended by LP standard bearer Manuel Roxas II. The video, uploaded on YouTube, has drawn flak particularly from women’s groups. The ruling party has been on damage control, announcing that it had launched an investigation.

Tolentino, who is aiming for a slot in the LP’s 2016 Senate slate, denied being the gift-giver although he attended the birthday party, and Agarao backed up his story. Agarao said the dancers were sent by certain unnamed friends and the birthday party took place after the LP gathering.

The public performance reinforces stereotypes of women as playthings and objects to be given away as gifts to men – particularly men in positions of power. It’s a mindset that the nation has been trying to eradicate, but even tough laws protecting women and discouraging domestic violence have failed to disabuse men particularly in underdeveloped communities from treating women like second-class citizens. This mindset, reinforced by politicians, has long emboldened men to subject their wives and partners to various forms of sexual, physical and psychological violence and abuse.

Yesterday, the Playgirls said their dance was not lewd. It certainly wasn’t wholesome, and if that was ordinary entertainment in a political rally, especially of the party of daang matuwid, you can see why Philippine politics is in such a sorry state. To describe the event as deplorable is an understatement.