MANILA, Philippines—A congressman said Wednesday that people behind a fashion show which featured an act depicting “degrading and dehumanizing treatment of women” should be held accountable under the law.
Valenzuela City first district representative Sherwin Gatchalian slammed “The Naked Truth,” a fashion show staged by Bench Saturday, saying that the organizers of the show should be charged to prevent a repeat of the said show.
Gatchalian, on his Twitter account, said that he was “alarmed”by a segment on “The Naked Truth” which showed “a scantily-clad woman treated like a dog on a leash being held by a known actor.”
“It dehumanizes women, devaluing them at the level of animals,” Gatchalian said.
He added that the particular scene “crossed the line from entertainment to perversion.”
The lawmaker cited that Bench should be reminded of Republic Act 9710, also known as Magna Carta of Women.
He also cited that under the Revised Penal Code, the organizers of the show could be penalized with prison mayor or an imprisonment from six years and one day to twelve years and a fine ranging from six thousand to twelve thousand pesos.
“I think it is high time that someone makes those behind the latest Bench underwear show accountable,” Gatchalian added.
‘Soft porn’
Meanwhile, the Philippine Commission on Women also condemned the particular scene of the fashion show, adding that “women should be portrayed and represented with dignity.”
“While staging a fashion show is part of the company’s marketing strategy to promote their brand, said act should never be tolerated especially if it dehumanizes and demeans the dignity of women, treating their bodies as mere sex objects and commodities,” the commission said in a statement.
The commission also slammed the “commodification of male bodies” in the said show which it described as “akin to soft porn”.
The commission on women also urged workers in the entertainment and advertising industry “to exercise sensitivity and promote positive portrayal of women.”
Bench already issued an apology Tuesday on “offensive elements” in their fashion show. They also vowed to “continue to uphold the dignity of women.”
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