Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II was saddened by the raunchy show of scantily clad girls during the birthday of an LP lawmaker in Laguna province on Thursday.
Roxas issued a statement on Friday, stressing that he will have the incident thoroughly investigated.
“Ikinalulungkot kong nangyari ito, at nagsasagawa na ang Partido Liberal ng mas malalim na pagsisiyasat sa ugat ng pangyayari,” said Roxas.
(I am saddened by what had transpired, and the Liberal Party is already conducting a thorough probe on the roots of the event.)
Aftet Roxas led the mass oathtaking of 80 local official in Sta. Cruz town, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino allegedly gave Laguna Representative Benjie Agarao a “surprise gift” in the form of an all-girl trio “The Playgirls.”
WATCH: Sexy dancers in post-LP event Tolentino’s ‘surprise gift’?
It got out of hand when the girls, who wore skimpy outfits, started gyrating and going on top of the male guests—some of whom were local officials—they invited on stage.
Addressing criticisms linking him to the lewd show, the presidential bet of the party clarified that he was not in the audience and has left the compound when The Playgirls started performing.
“Pilit pong ikinakabit ng ilang grupo ang ating pangalan sa performance na ito, kahit pa ba nasa ibang bahagi ako ng compound, hindi kasama sa audience, at walang sight lines sa nangyayari. Hindi ko nasaksihan ang performance,” he said.
(My name is being dragged in this performance, even if I was already in another part of the compound and not part of the audience, and no sight lines happened. I did not witness the performance.)
“Lilinawin ko po: Mariin kong ipinagbabawal sa anumang aspekto ng ating kampanya ang ganitong uri ng pagsasamantala sa kababaihan. Naniniwala akong may sapat na talino ang publiko upang tumutok sa makabuluhang diskurso ukol sa mga isyu at pagkatao ng mga kandidato.”
(I will clarify: I strongly oppose in my campaign this kind of use of women. I believe that the public is intelligent enough to focus on important discourses on issues and the personhood of the candidates.)
READ: Gabriela blasts use of sexy performers in LP event
Roxas also urged those who are with the LP in the pursuit of “Daang Matuwid” to condemn indecent political gimmicks.
“I remind those who stand with us on the Daang Matuwid: Iwaksi natin ang ganitong klaseng mga gimik, lalo pa’t nakakabastos ito, at walang naitutulong sa pagtataas ng antas ng pampublikong diskurso,” he said.
(I remind those who stand with us on the Daang Matuwid: Let’s condemn this kind of gimmick, especially because this is offensive and does not contribute in elevating public discourse.)
Tolentino drew flak for his alleged treat to Agara. He has since denied gifting the congressman with the sexy performers. He is rumored to be one of the LP’s senatorial bets in 2016. Julliane Love de Jesus/IDL