Senator Tito Sotto’s controversial remarks made against the female winner of ‘Juan for All, All for Juan’ segment of the noontime variety show ‘Eat Bulaga’ promotes the culture of victim blaming and shaming, according to the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW).
In a statement released by PCW last Tuesday, July 19, the senator’s comment, as well as the reaction of the segment’s hosts Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, were said to perpetuate the “culture of misogyny that justifies and normalizes abuses against women.”
Furthermore, the PCW said that the ‘Eat Bulaga’ hosts “crossed the line” with the way they handled the contestant’s confession.
On July 9, the ‘Juan for All, All for Juan’ winner shared her life story and the reason for her marriage’s fall out. According to the woman, who was identified as Katrina Conde, her drinking buddies took advantage of her which eventually led to her separation with her husband.
Manalo, who was with the Conde at her home, proceeded to taunt the women with a “re-enactment” of what happened.
So this is the controversial remark of Sen🙄 Tito Sotto to a woman who was taken advantage by her drinking buddies.😒 pic.twitter.com/obficLMspI— Miss Krizzy (@krizzy_kalerqui) July 10, 2016
According to PCW, “these are clear examples of victim blaming and shaming which can be likened to fault-finding against rape and sexual harassment victims who were blamed for wearing sexy outfits, getting drunk or walking alone in dark streets.”
“Women should never carry the guilt and blame and likewise restrict their freedom and desires. Women should live equally with men,” the commission added.
PCW called members of the media industry to uphold gender sensitivity, and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to “ensure that the issue will be resolved in a manner that upholds the dignity of women.”
The MTRCB is set to meet with the executives of ‘Eat Bulaga’ for an inquiry on the said ‘victim blaming’ issue.
(Photo source: Instagram – @helenstito / Twitter – @krizzy_kalerqui)