Although known for his sexist remarks, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday called for greater public awareness on harassment and discrimination faced by women, as he joined the observance of the National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Duterte said this in line with the campaign launched by the Philippine Commission on Women which seeks to end violence against women and children.
“I hope that as the Philippine Commission on Women spearheads the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children, we can all raise public awareness on the issues faced by this sector so we may pursue other measures that will protect them from any form of harassment or discrimination,” Duterte said in a statement released by Malacañang.
“Let this important socio-political campaign further secure our gains as we continue to work together in building a more inclusive and progressive nation for generations to come,” he added.
Duterte said the implementation of laws such as the “Magna Carta for Women” and “Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004” enabled the government to pursue its goal of “violence-free homes” across the country.
In July, the President signed Republic Act 11313 or the “Safe Spaces Act” which imposes penalties for unwanted sexual actions or remarks asxgainst any person.
Under the law, acts or remarks that will count as gender-based harassment will be penalized, regardless of the motive.
These acts include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs; comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details; public masturbation, and groping.
President Duterte, however, has been repeatedly criticized for his sexist remarks and rape jokes, most of which targeted his critics such as opposition lawmaker Senator Leila de Lima.
Duterte also said the Ombudsman and the Supreme Court Chief Justice post should not be occupied by a woman.
In 2018, he drew the ire of women’s rights groups for kissing a married Filipino woman in South Korea.
His spokesman Salvador Panelo defended him for criticisms thrown against him, saying the Chief Executive was not uttering sexist remarks to insult women, but to make people laugh.