WHAT will happen to women under a Duterte administration?
Senator Grace Poe bluntly asked this question to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when they faced each other during the third and final presidential debate in Pangasinan on Sunday.
“Mayor, pasensya ka na, magkaibigan tayo pero kailangan kong tanungin ito para sa mga babae,” Poe said.
“Meron po kayong interview sa magazine na sinabi niyo that women are the weaker sex. At alam na natin ‘yung bago mong pronouncement na sinasabi dapat nauna ang mayor… At ‘nung may isang nagreklamo ng rape sabi mo ‘drama queen.’ Ano po ang kahihinatnan ng babae sa inyong administrasyon?”
Responding to the question, the tough-talking mayor noted that Davao City is the first to come up with women’s code. He said they don’t allow women to wear swimsuit during beauty pageants.
“Bawal ang pulis manghuli at ang mga babae doon hindi natatakot kung saan-saan sila mamasyal sa Davao City,” Duterte said.
Not satisfied by the mayor’s answers, Poe pressed Duterte on how he treats women, especially in public places.
“Mayor, naiintindihan ko po ‘yung mga programa ninyo. Pero sa tingin niyo ba porke’t na merong isang Women’s Desk ay pwede na ‘yung ganoong pananalita?” she asked.
“At saka pangalawa po, mayor, kasi marami talagang na-a-attract sa inyo—sinabi ko na po ‘yon—kaya mas madali sa inyong hawakan sila pero sa publiko parang hindi naman po yata maganda?”
“That is what I am. You are you, I am I, so ‘yan ang identity ko dito sa boboto,” Duterte said.
The mayor again explained his “rape joke” about an Australian missionary worker, saying there was no malice in it as it was just a “pure narration of the truth.”
“I will take your word, mayor. But perhaps, should you become president, perhaps women will appreciate more respect—even a little restraint. I know that you are you and I am I but…” Poe said but she was cut by one of the hosts of the debate.