NO TO ‘TRAPO’ Members of the militant women’s party-list Gabriela chant, “Trapo, huwag iboto! (Don’t vote for traditional politicians)” during their national convention, reacting to a controversial show by sexy dancers during a Liberal Party oath-taking ceremony in Santa Cruz, Laguna province, last week. JILSON SECKLER TIU
A WOMEN’S rights group is mulling the filing of charges against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino and Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao over a “lewd and indecent” show last week despite the presence of children in the audience.
Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan Sunday said that Tolentino and Agarao clearly violated the law when they “condoned” the acts of the Playgirls which performed sexy dances and hosted a parlor game filled with sexual innuendos during Agarao’s birthday celebration in Laguna province on Thursday.
“If you condone these activities, you’re promoting [them],” Ilagan said, noting that exposing children to such shows was a form of violence.
Last week, the MMDA chief drew flak after the program emcee announced that the girls were Tolentino’s birthday gift to Agarao. The girls went onstage after Interior Secretary Mar Roxas swore in and welcomed to the Liberal Party 80 new members from Laguna.
Ilagan said that as the head of a government agency, Tolentino should have been more cautious and mindful since under Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, the personnel of agencies such as the MMDA undergo gender sensitivity lectures.
According to her, the incident showed that the MMDA chief “is very insensitive” and that his actions is a “return to the old ways where a woman is being looked at as mere commodity.”
For her part, Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador urged the Commission on Human Rights and the Philippine Commission on Women “to transcend party lines” on the issue, noting that it was the government’s task to set a noteworthy example to the public, especially in the recognition and promotion of women’s rights and dignity.
The Inquirer tried to reach Tolentino for comment but he did not respond to calls or text messages.