Duterte on why he prefers to appoint men: Mapagawa ko ba ‘yan sa babae?

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday sought to explain his refusal to give women certain roles in the government, amid blistering criticisms from feminists who have labelled the firebrand leader a misogynist.

“I said I really don’t want to appoint women; I really don’t prefer women to do some jobs. I want male appointees because I have a lot of orders,” Duterte said in a freestyle speech.

Duterte then stressed he thinks women are fit for certain positions like heading the Tourism department, for instance.

“Suddenly, I would just tell you, ‘You go to Marawi [City] because nobody is supervising there.’ Can I order a woman to do that?” he said, referring to the provincial capital of Lanao del Sur where female troops fought shoulder to shoulder with men to liberate the city from terrorists.

“Even if you say women are bright, all of those in the political horizon – you're better off with young people,” he added.

The foul-mouthed leader, who is also a self-confessed womanizer, has been blasted for his sexist and objectifying remarks about women. But he remains hugely popular despite the criticisms.

Last May, Duterte sparked outrage for saying he would not pick a woman to be the next ombudsman and Supreme Court chief justice. He later explained that he is a believer in the abilities of women but some jobs are not for them because they get easily cowed by threats.

Women’s rights advocates in the Philippines recently launched a social media campaign called #BabaeAko (I Am A Woman) to condemn the president’s controversial remarks about women.