Now that everyone is poking fun at the now-viral “Pepedederalismo” video posted by Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, a pro-Duterte blogger claimed that federalism directly impacts women’s reproductive health.
Uson’s viral video which tackled federalism showed pro-Duterte blogger Drew Olivar gesturing to his crotch and chest while chanting “i-pepe” (a Filipino slang word for the reproductive organ) and “i-dede” (slang word for breast).
The video was widely criticized by livid lawmakers, government officials, celebrities and netizens on social media for being lewd and vulgar.
However, another pro-Duterte blogger Sass Rogando Sasot took a more serious view on the video, explicitly saying that a shift to a federal form of government will directly impact women’s reproductive health.
“Ang federalism ay may kinalaman sa pepe at dede. Sa pamamagitan ng pederalismo, ang reproductive health needs ay mas madaling matutugunan,” Sasot said in a Facebook post on Monday night.
“Dahil sa mas may kontrol na ang bawat region na kanilang kinikita, mas mabilis na magkakagawa sila ng mga programa pang-reproductive health,” the blogger said.
“Federalism will lead to healthier pepe and dede. Healthier pepe and dede will lead to healthier communities,” she also said.
Facing criticism over the video, Uson said that she merely wanted the public to talk about federalism.
READ: Mocha defends ‘Pepedederalismo’ jingle: We just want people to talk about federalism
“Ang aming layunin ay hikayatin ang aming manonood na pagusapan pa lalo ang Pederalismo, dahil ito ay isa sa mga pangako ng ating Pangulo,” Uson said in a Facebook post.
But Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday admitted that the video’s lewd and vulgar messaging was “not exactly in the manner that we wanted it.”
“Let’s just transform the debate into something substantive,” Roque said in a press briefing.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s Charter change committee has submitted a draft Constitution that seeks non-centralization of power under a federal government.
READ: PH a failing democracy as current gov’t too ‘Metro Manila-centric’ — Puno
The 22-member Consultative Committee sought to divide the country into states and grant their respective governments power over their constituents since the current form of government was “too Metro Manila-centric.” /vvp