Misogyny and sexism in current Philippine politics: A battle we can’t ignore

Metro Manila, Philippines - As election season heats up, the Philippines is witnessing a disturbing trend: misogynistic remarks and sexist jokes from political leaders. In just one week, the nation was shocked by comments from candidates who seem to believe degrading women is acceptable campaign rhetoric.

Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia sparked outrage after making a vulgar joke about single mothers, suggesting they should sleep with him when “feeling lonely.”

His remarks, captured in a viral video, not only objectified women but also demeaned solo parents, reducing them to sexual objects.

“Para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig, minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa … at nalulungkot … puwedeng sumiping ho sa akin. ’Yun hong interesado, magpalista na sa mesa sa gilid.

[TRANSLATION: For the solo parents of Pasig, once a year, single mothers who are still menstruating and are feeling lonely … you can have sex with me. Those who are interested, sign up at the table.]

This distasteful comment triggered widespread backlash, forcing Sia to issue an apology. The Commission on Elections acted, issuing a show-cause order for his possible violation of election guidelines related to gender-based harassment. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence, disqualification from office, and loss of voting rights.

Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter "Senior Pedro" Unabia also drew condemnation after claiming only "beautiful women" were qualified for nursing scholarships, citing the impact an “ugly” nurse would have on male patients' health.

"This is a gross display of misogyny and discrimination," Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said, condemning the comments. “This is blatant disrespect not just of nurses, but of all women.”

Both incidents reflect a deeper, systemic issue: the normalization of sexism and misogyny in Philippine politics. While the number of female politicians has increased in recent years, sexism remains pervasive in both public office and society. Politicians like Sia and Unabia exploit outdated gender norms to appeal to voters, reducing women to mere objects for male pleasure, or assuming their value is based on appearance rather than capability.

The root of all causes

A recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) study reveals that 99.5% of Filipinos, both men and women, hold biases against women, reflecting a pervasive culture of misogyny in the Philippines.

The data, collected from 2017 to 2022, aligns with the global trend showing that almost nine out of ten people worldwide share similar biases.

The UNDP's Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) highlights biases in four areas: political, educational, economic, and physical integrity.

In the Philippines, 92.83% of people displayed physical integrity biases, including justifying domestic abuse and abortion. Economic biases were also prevalent, with 77.81% of Filipinos believing men are more entitled to jobs and executive positions.

Meanwhile, educational biases against women were held by 43.61% of the population, with many perceiving university education as more important for men.

This deep-rooted misogyny is reinforced by the sexualization and objectification of women in society.

According to UP political analyst Maria Ela Atienza, while the Philippines has made strides in electing women, true progress requires more than just increasing female representation. "Not all of them are progressive. Most of them are elites and members of political dynasties," Atienza explains. "We need progressive, gender-aware leaders who will actively push back against misogyny and discrimination."

Atienza also points to the cultural influence of the media. Sexist jokes, perpetuated by popular noontime shows and sitcoms, have desensitized the public to misogynistic rhetoric. "Media is partly to blame," she says. "There is still a priority on sensationalizing content, which often perpetuates patriarchal values."

Despite laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Safe Spaces Act, misogyny continues to thrive in the political landscape. She highlights the failure of some politicians, including women, to challenge sexist behavior.

“Not all women politicians are feminists,” she adds. “Many tolerated or supported Duterte’s misogyny to protect their interests.”

The normalization of such behavior is not only harmful to women but also to the integrity of Philippine democracy. As Atienza suggests, the way to combat this issue is by electing progressive leaders who reject sexism and promote policies that empower women. “Push back against misogyny, and punish politicians who tolerate or engage in it,” she urges.

“Push back against misogyny, and punish politicians who tolerate or engage in it,” she urges.