Sen. Tito Sotto is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to shaming women. Who could forget that time he victim-blamed a woman who was sexually assaulted? Or the fact that he had a hand in defunding the RH Bill, which is beneficial to women?
It’s been a few months and just when you thought he’d finally learned his lesson, he comes back with yet another misogynistic statement.
During the confirmation hearing of DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo, Sotto’s last question was why she had two daughters but no husband. He also claimed that this was “on the lighter side” of the hearing. This was followed by snickers in the audience.
It was an unnecessary question, but Taguiwalo still responded: “My life has never been a normal. I never had a [normal family life] except when I was growing up in Bacolod.” She continued with a short timeline of how she did organizing work in UP during Martial Law, and spent years of her life in prison or underground.
Sotto then said, “In street language… when you have children and you are single, ang tawag ‘dun ay na-ano lang.” Again, followed by laughter in the audience because they thought he was just joking. He then thanked her for her presence in the confirmation hearing.
Today, Gina Lopez was rejected and Sen. Tito Sotto gets away with making fun of single parents.
Ano na, Pilipinas. Ano na.
— A.O.Sea (@annaoposa) May 3, 2017
Seriously, why was this statement greeted with laughter? Why does the senator always think that saying misogynistic things should be considered a joke like he was in a variety show? More importantly, how is being a single mom even a factor in becoming a leader of any department?
Of course, Sotto defended himself in an interview by saying that any question can be asked during a confirmation hearing. He apologized for the question and added, “I will be the last person in this country who would ever disrespect a woman.”
Did you feel your eyes roll at the back of your head? Because I did.
But here’s the thing: the way the question was asked, and how it was received by spectators, is like saying that single mothers shouldn’t be taken seriously. Not to mention that there’s a slight hint of slut-shaming with Sotto’s choice of words. It wasn’t just an insult to Taguiwalo, but to all single moms. To quote Lea Salonga’s tweet, it’s like seeing women as “less than” when they bear children out of wedlock or raised them independently.
For much of my growing-up years, my mother was a single mother. I curse anyone and everyone that sees women like her as "less than."
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) May 3, 2017
My husband was, for much of his upbringing, raised by a single mother. I curse anyone that sees women like her as "less than."
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) May 3, 2017
For those that look down upon these beloved ladies, there's a special place in hell for the likes of you.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) May 3, 2017
This can’t be excused as just mere curiosity when Sotto himself admitted that he was surprised after digging up Taguiwalo’s personal info. What made him feel compelled to ask about her family status at a confirmation hearing if not to humiliate her? Intentional or not, we shouldn’t even care about it and respect the fact that these are working just as hard to provide for their children. Period.
Sotto should also know better than saying such things considering that his daughter Ciara is also raising a child on her own.
Single-parent families may be common these days and not ideal, but it’s still a family nonetheless. Being one shouldn’t measure their worth as a person or a leader. Lastly, no one should ever use this as part of their misogynistic reasoning.
Art by Yayie Motos
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