Gabriela wants probe on use of female entertainers in pol activities

Members of the Gabriela women’s partylist stage a protest to condemn the twerking scandal during a post-LP event. SCREENGRAB FROM INQUIRER.net video

Outraged by the lewd “Playgirls” show after an official Liberal Party (LP) event, militant solons representing the women’s sector in the House of Representatives called for a probe on the use of women as entertainment in political gatherings.

Gabriela Representatives Emmi De Jesus and Luz Ilagan filed House Resolution 2435 which urged the House of Representatives committee on women and gender equality and the committee on good government and public accountability to investigate the issue in aid of legislation.

The solons filed the resolution prompted by the use of scantily-clad women from the group “Playgirls” during the 58th birthday celebration of Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr.

The show was supposedly sponsored by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino, who has apologized for failing to stop the show. He denied sponsoring the performance.

READ: Tolentino gets flak for ‘surprise gift’ at LP event | Francis Tolentino apologizes for Playgirls’ twerking boo-boo

The racy show was held just after the oath-taking of LP members in Laguna attended by the party’s standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

The resolution cited the two laws which prohibit discrimination against women by public officials.

Section 19 of the Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women promotes the dignity of women and their roles and contributions to society. The law also prohibits the portrayal of women in a discriminatory, demeaning and derogatory manner in advertisements, show and programs.

READ: Gabriela blasts use of sexy performers in post-LP event

Section 42 of the same law also mandates the Commission on Human Rights to recommend to the appropriate bodies, such as the Sandiganbayan or the Office of the Ombudsman, administrative or disciplinary sanctions on those who violate the law.

Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees require public officials to refrain from “doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.”

“The Playgirls were alleged to have been a birthday gift from MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino to Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. of the 4th district of Laguna, the host of the Liberal Party oath-taking ceremonies officiated by Presidential candidate Mar Roxas,” the resolution said.

“This particular incident, as Rep. Agarao claimed, is not isolated and is in fact a common practice in political or electoral events. The use of girls – on top of the commonplace use of guns, goons and gold in Philippine electoral politics – must not be tolerated and the culture of impunity benefitting perpetrators must be stopped,” it added.

Tolentino has asked the LP to drop him from its senatorial list following the backlash from the incident.

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