Another week, another sexist remark.
Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, who’s running for reelection under Lakas-CMD came under fire for his sexist remarks at a campaign rally on Thursday, [date].
Unabia said that his nursing scholarship program is exclusive to good-looking women as ugly women will just worsen a patient’s condition. “Dili man pwede ang maot, kay kung luya na ang mga lalaki, atubangon sa pangit nga nurse, naunsa naman, mosamot atong sakit ana,” Unabia said.
(Ugly women aren’t allowed because when men are already weak, and they’re faced with an unattractive nurse, what do you think will happen? Our sickness will only worsen.)
“Yet another sickening display of machismo from a candidate and a sitting governor, no less! Mahiya ka naman sa daan-daang libong nurses na bumabalikat ng bulok na sistemang pangkalusugan sa bansa!” said GABRIELA Secretary General Clarice Palce. “Unabia’s statements undermine the dignity and professionalism of healthcare workers, particularly women nurses, and reduce their worth to their physical appearances.”
Unabia’s comments are no stranger to controversy. In an earlier campaign rally, he is quoted to have said that a takeover of politicians from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao could cause instability in the security of the province.
Speaking to Bombo Radyo Cagayan De Oro regarding Unabia’s speech, Ayesha Merdeka Bint Abhul Khayr of Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus “It’s by all standards… a hate speech. Pagod na po ang mga tao sa war […] Wala pong room para sa mga nagsasabing kailangang alisin po ang mga Moro para maging Mindanao. ‘Yon po ang hinihingi po namin sa mga kandidato, ingat po kayo sa pagsasalita kasi parang ‘yon po ang gusto ninyong mangyari. Sana hindi naman po.” Unabia has apologized for his remarks.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has already taken action regarding both of Unabia’s speeches. The poll body will issue a show cause order against him today. “Sexist at racist ang tingin po diyan,” COMELEC Chairman George Garcia told Teleradyo on Monday, April 7.
This comes at the heels of another sexist jibe by Pasig congressional bet Ian Sia, who joked at a campaign rally that single mothers can have sex with him as part of his program for women solo parents of Pasig.
Garcia said Sia may also face charges depending on Comelec’s investigation. A disqualification has already been filed against Sia.
Nothing New
In the Philippines’ overtly patriarchal politics, these statements are no longer surprising to come from politicians.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte has a long list of misogynistic remarks, from his “Dapat mayor ang nauna” jibe regarding an Australian rape victim to his supposedly sarcastic “Barilin sa pekpek” tirade against female National People’s Army rebels. An American news site called Duterte a “less racist but more murderous Donald Trump,” opening their explainer on the former Philippine president with Duterte calling former U.S. President Barack Obama “son of a whore.”
Even Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, was not safe from his sexist attacks, as he said that the presidency is not a job for women.
Leni Robredo, the lone female presidential candidate in the 2022 national elections, was also subjected to misogynist attacks online, with her intelligence trivialized and allegations of affairs made against her.
Reflecting on these recent events, former journalist and human rights advocate Carlos H. Conde said, “Nakakadismaya na mga politiko mismo ang mga nag-aasal imburnal na sa entablado… May epekto itong ganitong kabastusan sa pangangampanya. Dahil nga maliban doon sa na-o-offend ‘yong mga religious at moral sensiblities ng ilan sa atin, ‘yong tinatawanan ‘yong mga joke na ganito, ‘yong pinapalakpakan ‘yong mga bastos na patawang ganito ay ini-interpret ito ng mga pulitiko na pagsang-ayon sa mga ginawa nila, gagawin nila, kasama na diyan ‘yong mga kalokohan.”
