DAVAO CITY – Women’s group Gabriela warned the United Nationalist Alliance of its recent campaign sortie which hired “entertainers” in Sagñay, Camarines Sur.
“Trapos strike again! This time, it’s the United Nationalist Alliance of Vice President Jejomar Binay that used women entertainers in a campaign sortie, said Gert Ranjo-Libang, vice chairperson of Gabriela.
According to a news article in Rappler.com, the said campaign sortie was held Tuesday, April 26 and the audience included children.
“In this particular sortie, an impersonator of Rufa Mae Quinto asked for male audience participation and made him smell different parts of her body as she sings,” Libang said.
She said women are vulnerable to exploitation by politicians during campaign period due to poverty.
“The lack of regular job opportunities for women force them to seek odd jobs to augment the economic needs of the family. The campaign period provided opportunities for them to earn by providing entertainment or by merely being present in paid rallies by politicians,” said Libang.
Gabriela has previously warned candidates that using women in campaign sorties is a violation of the Magna Carta of Women and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Last year, the Liberal Party was also involved in the so-called “twerk scandal” where male LP officials participated in lewd dancing with women entertainers in an oath-taking program of the LP coinciding with the birthday party of Cong. Benjamin Agarao of Laguna.
Gabriela filed charges against former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino at the Ombudsman.
Libang said they are reiterating their call to political parties and the candidates “not to demean their electorate with such entertainment and instead be involved in discourse of their platform to educate rather than entertain voters.”
“We urge political parties and their standard bearers to raise the issues of women, especially VAW, and include significant programs for women in their platform,” she said. (davaotoday.com)
