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Netizens slam Duterte for his catcalling comment

Rappler.com

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Netizens slam Duterte for his catcalling comment
Women take to social media to criticize the incoming president for his catcalling comment, insisting that whistling is a form of sexual harassment

MANILA, Philippines – On Thursday, June 2, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte defended his wolf-whistling at GMA reporter Mariz Umali by invoking his right to freedom of expression.

During the press conference, Rappler reporter Pia Ranada asked the tough-talking president-elect whether he violated the Davao City ordinance No. 5004  or the Women Development Code of Davao City.

Duterte said wolf-whistling could be considered a form of sexual harassment “if you go overboard and you start to harass the woman.” For whistling to be sexual harassment, Duterte said there has to be “sexual undertones.”

Ironically, the Davao City ordinance which Duterte signed defines sexual harassment differently. Section 8 of the ordinance categorized “cursing, whistling, or calling a woman in public with words having dirty connotations” as sexual harassment.  

It also defined sexual harassment as “a form of misconduct involving an act or a series of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, made directly, indirectly, or impliedly.”

Duterte trended early Friday, June 3, for the statements he made Thursday night.

Men and women alike took to social media to criticize the incoming president for his catcalling comment, insisting that whistling is a form of sexual harassment for women.

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Duterte on catcalling

This is not the first time Duterte has found himself is in hot water for his supposed controversial remarks involving women. During the campaign period, he was heavily criticized for his rape remark about an Australian woman.

Nagalit ako kasi nirape, oo isa rin ‘yun . Pero napakaganda, dapat ang mayor muna ang mauna. Sayang,” Duterte said in the controversial video where he seemed to be talking about the 1989 hostage-taking by Felipe Pugoy, an inmate of the Davao City Police Office. Pugoy had taken hostage of missionaries who had visited the DCPO to preach, including an Australian woman named Jacqueline Hammil.

During public events, Duterte also never fails to “flirt” with a female member of the audience and pepper his supporters with kisses on the cheek.  Raisa Serafica/Rappler.com

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