Prejudice against women? Let President’s actions speak louder

The latest batch of newly-appointed women government officials is proof that President Duterte does not discriminate against women in public service, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque highlighted that the President recently appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, acting Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Socorro Inting.

“Let his actions speak for themselves…’Yung huling tatlong pinaka-latest niyang appointment ay puro babae (The latest three appointees are women),” Roque said in a radio interview.

“Ito po ay ebidensiya na hindi po tutol ang Presidente sa pagtatalaga sa kababaihan sa gobyerno (This is proof that the President is not opposed to appointing women in government),” he added.

The President earlier said he was not inclined to appoint a woman, when asked by reporters about his choice for the next Chief Justice.

Roque has tried to clarify the President’s statement, saying there was no discrimination of women in government. He added that the President’s comment was in the context of the Ombudsman’s appointment.

He said the President was probably kidding when he made such a remark about women in government.

Next OMB may be a woman He said the next Ombudsman could even be a woman, although he could not confirm this yet.

“Hindi ko sinasabi na ito ay katotohanan, ang vetting baka nga po babae ang susunod na ombudsman (I’m not saying it is true but a woman may become the next Ombudsman based on the vetting),” he said.