Female lawmakers who are members of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) condemned in the strongest terms the “lewd” performance of an all-girl trio during the birthday celebration of an LP colleague on Thursday.
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LP secretary general and Occidental Mindoro representative Josephine Sato, Batanes District Representative Henedina Abad, and Akbayan Representative Kaka Bag-ao said the “raunchy” show was a “gross insult” to many individuals, including the three women in the dance group “The Playgirls.”
“The performance that took place at a gathering in Laguna yesterday is a gross insult to all: the women involved, the Liberal Party, and indeed, all Filipinos and Filipinas who espouse equality,” they said in a joint statement to media on Friday.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, any and all forms of the exploitation of women. This has never been, and will never be consistent with the values of the Liberal Party, which, throughout the years, has made social equity one of the pillars of its endeavors,” they added.
READ: Roxas condemns ‘offensive’ show during LP congressman’s party
LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas said the party will conduct a thorough investigation of the “disappointing incident.”
Roxas also warned that LP members who stand with them on the administration’s “Daang Matuwid” that “disrespectful” actions will not be tolerated.
Sato, Abad and Bag-Ao supported Roxas’ stand.
“Throughout our work, we have received nothing less than the utmost respect from our colleagues and peers in the Liberal Party. We know that such gimmickry will not be tolerated by our members and our leadership, and we fully support the investigation to unearth the truth behind the incident,” the lawmakers said.
On Thursday, Roxas led the mass oath-taking of 80 local officials in Sta. Cruz town. Laguna Representative Benjie Agarao, who was among those officials who took oath, also celebrated his 58th birthday.
After the LP event, a party was thrown for Agarao, attended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, local officials and youth groups.
READ: Tolentino denies bringing ‘surprise’ sexy dancers to gathering
The emcees of the event called on stage and introduced The Playgirls “courtesy of Chairman Francis Tolentino.”
It got out of hand when the girls, who wore skimpy outfits, started gyrating and going on top of the male guests, some were local officials, on stage. Julliane Love de Jesus/RAM