De Lima, Hontiveros express dismay over Playgirls, Tolentino fiasco

WOULD they want to be in the same Senate slate with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chair Francis Tolentino if there is proof that he hired a group of sexy dancers as a gift to a lawmaker?

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros on Monday said they are against the objectification of women but are still giving Tolentino the benefit of the doubt.

“Mali, misplaced yung mga ganoon. At lalo na objectifying women. It’s really demeaning, it’s appalling pero hintayin po natin any imbestigasyon ng LP,” De Lima said.

Asked if she would feel comfortable campaigning with Tolentino, De Lima said, “Mahirap…because that shows the mindset of a public official tungkol sa mga (issue ng kababaihan. Although kaibigan ko naman si chair Francis. Ayoko naman magsalita ng conclusive statements na hindi alam ang tunay na nangyari.”

Hontiveros, on the other hand, said, “Hindi ko talaga at ng Akbayan tatanggapin ang anumang objectification ng babae sa pulitika sa Pilipinas o sa ating lipunan. I understand ang Liberal Party ay naglunsad na ng imbestigasyon and Secretary Mar has issued a categorical statement to that effect.”

The former lawmaker said she hopes the investigation would result in those responsible being held accountable.

De Lima, Hontiveros and Tolentino, all close allies of President Benigno Aquino III, are among those reportedly being considered for the ruling Liberal Party’s senatorial slate.

However, reports said Tolentino may be dropped from the list after a group of sexy dancers performed in a post-LP event in Laguna. The emcee of the event claimed that Tolentino hired the group Playgirls as a gift to Laguna Representative Benjamin Agarao who was celebrating his birthday that day. Tolentino denied this.