Watchdog vs misogynist, sexist poll bets launched

MANILA, Philippines — A student-led watchdog against misogynist and sexist candidates was launched yesterday at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Called Kontra Bastos, the group will lead a social media campaign to call out candidates who would commit gender-based abuse and discrimination during the campaign period.

“Election season is upon us and women are again subjected to displays of machismo and dominance by politicians vying for popularity,” said Kontra Bastos lead convenor Clarice Palce.

“Back in 2016 national elections, President Duterte was seen kissing women during the campaign period while Francis Tolentino’s campaign was mired by controversy in relation to his lewd birthday gift to a Laguna lawmaker. Our future is at stake and we, the youth, will not take this sitting down,” she added.

They said women’s groups have documented that many government and law enforcement officials have committed gender-based abuses.

The group called on the public to report incidents of misogynistic and sexist conduct of candidates by posting on social media using the hashtag #AyokoSaBastos.

“We are hoping that the Kontra Bastos anti-misogynist watchdog group will further stimulate vigilance and engagement by encouraging not only voters, but the youth and general public, to participate in the campaign as well,” said Palce.

“Let us post, tweet and call out politicians who utter sexist commentaries, conduct activities using women as entertainment and other actions that derogate women,” she added.

Mariel Rugas of the Girls for Peace Network said they may come up with a list of candidates who have committed misogynistic and sexist acts to discourage voters from supporting them in the upcoming elections.

Kat Estrella of the UP student council said they would also not hesitate to file cases against such candidates for violation of laws, particularly the Magna Carta of Women.

CHR complaint

Also on Friday, the Gabriela Women’s Party filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) calling for an investigation of alleged repression of women leaders.

Gabriela asked the CHR to intervene in supposed political attacks against the group’s leaders and members nationwide, describing it as “a calibrated campaign against women activists and progressive party-list groups.”

“We are sounding the alarm at the CHR as our officers and leaders are subjects of vilification, trumped-up charges, red-tagging and political persecution by state forces as the midterm polls approach. We want the commission to bare the accountability of the AFP, PNP and their goons for putting the lives and safety of our leaders at risk,” Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said.

“They desperately want the voices of critical women weakened in various arenas, from communities to the party-list race. But all these fascist tricks won’t work, especially in the face of the pressing need to bring stronger women’s voices inside the halls of power amid Duterte’s macho-fascism,” she added.

De Jesus said the string of attacks include the continued illegal detention of Hedda Calderon, Gabriela party-list consultant at the House of Representatives and the red-tagging of its third nominee Lucy Francisco in Panay.

Arrested without a warrant in Sta. Cruz, Laguna last year, Calderon was accused of illegal possession of explosives. 

Francisco, a consumer rights advocate in Western Visayas, was tagged as a supporter of the New People’s Army (NPA) in leaflets and posters circulating in Iloilo City.

Gabriela said its coordinator in Nueva Ecija, Eula Ladesma, remains illegally detained for what it described as fabricated crimes.

The party-list’s vice president for internal affairs, human rights activist Mia Liquigan, was also included in the list of so-called terrorists in Cagayan Valley, according to the group.

Under the Magna Carta of Women, the CHR is tasked to investigate possible violations of the law.