Sen. Sotto, the Senate isn’t your noontime show

Senator Tito Sotto got the ire of the public after he disrespected Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo at the Senate Hearing for the confirmation of the DSWD Secretary.

This was the exchange between Sen. Sotto and Sec. Taguiwalo which flooded social media on Wednesday.

Senator Tito Sotto: On a lighter note, secretary. We’ve been looking at your personal information and found out that you have two children.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo: Yes, two daughters.

Senator Tito Sotto: But you’re single. (People in the room laugh.)

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo: I’ve never had a “normal family” if that’s how you call it, growing up. But it’s a non-issue. I have been underground and been to prison. My story is different growing up.

Senator Tito Sotto: Ah, kasi in the street language, if you have kids, tapos wala kang asawa ang tawag diyan na-ano lang.

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo: Senator, I teach women’s studies in UP. We respect all kinds of families, and that includes solo parents. Thank you.

When backlash from social media surfaced over his statements, Senator Sotto said, “As I’ve said, it was meant as a joke, and everybody in the hall, almost everybody laughed. I don’t think it was done disrespectfully. But as I said, just to drive home the point, if they are offended, then I apologize.”

Dear Senator Sotto, the august halls of the Senate is not a place to crack jokes. You are not in your noontime show.

No wonder, a lot of female celebrities took to social media to express their disgust over the senator’s remarks which they found offensive and distasteful.

Please think before you speak. Anything that you say can be taken against you, especially if it demeans women, single moms or not.

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Kapuso teen stars Barbie Forteza and Therese “Teri” Malvar must have been tickled pink upon knowing that award-winning director Jerrold Tarog wants to work with them.

Among the young stars of GMA, Barbie and Teri have impressive acting credentials. And they have awards to prove it.

Barbie just won Best Supporting Actress for her work in “Tuos” where she co-starred with Nora Aunor. She also won Best Actress for the movie “Laut,” directed by Louie Ignacio, at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival at Oporto, Portugal.

For Teri, she won Best Actress at the Moscow International Film Festival last year. She also won Best Actress at the Cinema One Originals Awards two years ago.

It would be exciting for them to work with Direk Jerrold who is known for his historical film “Heneral Luna” and the psychological thriller “Bliss” which opens in theaters on May 10.

For sure, Direk Jerrold would write a good script for Barbie and Teri to make their film collaboration more interesting. Barbie said she is willing to wait for the right time to do a project with Direk Jerrold.

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“Iadya Mo Kami” was adjudged as one of the Best Films at the recently concluded 19th Gawad Pasado Awards. Congratulations to Direk Mel Chionglo and to BG Productions CEO and Executive Producer Ms.Baby Go, as well as to actors Allen Dizon, Diana Zubiri, Aiko Melendez, and to its writer Ricky Lee.

Allen won his third best Actor Award from Gawad Pasado for his role as the “morally tormented priest.” He also won as Best Actor for Mel Chionglo’s “Lauriana” and Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Magkakabaung” from the academe-based award-giving body.

Direk Mel was also named one of the Best Directors for “Iadya Mo Kami,” which also won for Aiko Melendez the Best Supporting Actress Award. It was Aiko’s first award from Gawad Pasado which had been giving out trophies for 19 years now.