Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Senate PRIB photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero quizzed Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday over his proposal to include women in the training under his Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) bill.
While defending the ROTC bill on the Senate floor, Dela Rosa explained why women were not included in the old military training in schools.
“During the time yung old ROTC law was enacted, hindi pa po uso ang gender equality. Ngayon po, our women are always espousing for gender equality so why give them the opportunity to serve their country, to fight for this country if needed,” Dela Rosa said, responding to Escudero’s queries.
(During the time the old ROTC law was enacted, gender equality is not yet popular. Ngayon po, our women are always espousing for gender equality so why give them the opportunity to serve their country, to fight for this country if needed
Escudero confirmed that during his time, only men were required to undergo the old Citizen Military Training.
“Hindi ni-require yan sa babae. Ang dahilan ba ay mas maliit ang tingin ng gobyerno, ng Kongreso, ng pamahalaan noon sa mga babae, hindi kakayanin ang ROTC training…?” he asked.
(This was not required for women. Is that because the government, Congress, and the authorities had a lesser view of women back then, thinking that they couldn’t handle ROTC training…)
“What is the reason for the distinction at that time na bakit noon hindi sinasabay ang babae under the National Defense Act, under RA [Republic Act] 7077 but now there is a push to include them already? What is the difference and what changed, Mr. President?” the senator further asked.
Dela Rosa surmised the love of Filipinos for women prevailed at that time.
While admitting he doesn’t want his children to suffer, he said he also needs to prepare them so they could help protect and defend the country in the future.
“Siguro ang reason as I’ve said hindi popular yung gender equality during that time. Right now, gender equality is the norm of the day. Yan palagi ang sinasabi ng ating mga kakabaehan so let’s give them the benefit of serving this country,” Dela Rosa said.
(Perhaps the reason, as I’ve mentioned, is that gender equality wasn’t popular during that time. Right now, gender equality is the norm of the day. That’s what our fellow women always say, so let’s give them the benefit of serving this country.)
Escudero then inquired if gender equality “is now being used to offer” the ROTC program to women.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri interjected, saying LGBTQ is included in the proposal.
Escudero argued “sexes discriminated upon would like equality with respect to the things and opportunities that they like.”
“There is even no data that says women like that. There is even no data that says that women to be equal and at par with men with respect to being required to undergo ROTC—that may be the justification when you say you’re including women. But have you heard from women themselves if they indeed want it or not?”
Dela Rosa said he asked his daughters and female staff and they all want to undergo the ROTC.
“Alangan namang sabihin sayo hindi, author ka,” Escudero answered.
(Of course, they would not say no because you’re the author.)
The proposed law mandates all students in Higher Educational Institutions and Technical Vocational Institutions to undergo the basic ROTC, or else they would be allowed to graduate.