Harry Roque boasts of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s support for women, netizens disagree

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque came to President Rodrigo Duterte’s aid [once more] as he defended his boss’s ‘stand’ on the place of women and women’s rights.

Roque would go out of his way to cite data to defend Duterte’s recent statement about empowering women and breaking a ‘backward mindset that fuelled a culture of gender oppression and inequality.’

Netizens and the media had a field day on Duterte’s statement, but Roque defended the President during yesterday’s Laging Handa media briefing with gusto.

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/1368787898053500931

Roque claimed that the Philippines is recognized as one of the global leaders for gender equality, citing data from the World Economic Forum.

He cited data suggesting the country is at the top of Asia in pushing for gender equality.

Netizens, however, continue to wonder where Roque gets his confidence after being a widely-recognized human rights lawyer.

Duterte and his opinion on women.

News media would present receipts to Roque disproving his claim that the country is one of the best at women empowerment—at least when it came to the President.

From the President saying women were ‘unfit to run for President’…

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/1368788112327942144

… to him taking a swipe every time Vice President Leni Robredo fired off a critique of his administration.

https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines/status/1368931069693624324

Duterte is also known for his misogynistic remarks, dropping the occasional rape jokes even in official functions.

Netizens would record receipts of Duterte’s vastly different statements, asking him to be more careful in signing statements.

https://twitter.com/anjpessumal/status/1368931806238580747

1. duterte, YOU are the backward mindset that fuels oppression

2. remember kids, women don’t have to be associated with men to have value :))

Happy International Women’s Day 💜 https://t.co/wyRT7FUqHQ

— jai (@jairamarieeee) March 8, 2021

Apart from calling out women, Duterte is also known to retract statements he has made on national TV, often using his background as a lawyer as an excuse.

When it comes to promoting women’s rights and women empowerment, Roque’s claimed that the country is on the top in Asia.

Duterte’s statements, however, always run the opposite of what legislators—particularly women in Congress—are trying to promote.