No discrimination against women – Palace

Malacañang has assured there is no discrimination against women working in government in a bid to downplay concerns about President Duterte’s latest anti-women remark.

The President recently claimed he was opposed to appointing a woman when asked by reporters about his choice for the next Chief Justice following the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Unang-unang, I will clarify kung sinabi talaga ng Presidente yun (First, I will clarify if the President really said that),” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said during a Palace press briefing.

“Pero sa aking pagkakaalam po wala naman pong diskriminasyon against sa kababaihan. Kahit sino po pwedeng maappoint sa ating gobyerno (But to my knowledge, there is no discrimination against women. Anyone can be appointed in government),” he added.

Roque made the statement amid the confusion if the President was opposed to appointing a woman Chief Justice or Ombudsman during a recent media interview.

The President recently bared the qualities of the next Chief Justice after Sereno’s appointment was nullified by the Supreme Court through a quo warranto petition.

“Gusto ko ‘yung bilib ang tao sa integrity niya. Of course it could not be a politician lalo na hindi babae. (Of course, it could not be politician especially not a woman,” Duterte had told reporters in the Palace last Wednesday.

Roque, however clarified that the President appeared to be referring to the next Ombudsman during the media interview.

Nonetheless, Roque said the President’s choices for the next Ombudsman will come from the shortlist of nominees that will be submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.

“They are 10 (nominees). May the best man or woman prevail,” he said, when asked if Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III will be the President's pick as the next Ombudsman.