When former President Rodrigo Duterte was flown to The Hague, one could only hope that his troublesome sexist legacy would be exiled along with him. Unfortunately, it lives on in the grimiest personalities that Philippine politics has to offer, as shown through campaigns for the 2025 Midterm Elections.
Aspiring Pasig City congressman Atty. Ian Sia foremost came under fire after his vile comment made rounds online, where he suggested that menstruating single mothers could sleep with him once a year. Instead of rectifying this horrid act, Sia doubled down by body shaming one of his former female staff. Meanwhile, reelectionist Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia spat an abhorrent claim on his government’s nursing scholarship, stating that it is only for “beautiful women” as male patients wouldn’t want to look at “ugly women.” Over in Batangas, Mataas na Kahoy Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan, who is challenging incumbent province governor and actress Vilma Santos, commented on his rival’s “waning popularity” and remarked that he would be afraid of his opponent if it were younger female stars like Kathryn Bernardo and Andrea Brillantes.
These events transpired in the span of just twelve days.
All received show cause orders from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to possible election violations under Comelec Resolution No. 11127 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines. As of press time, Sia’s disqualification petition has been granted by Comelec Second Division, while Comelec has made its own petition calling for Unabia’s disqualification. Ilagan is yet to be further sanctioned.
Women being vehemently slighted—even for the tiniest, inconsequential, and even outright false qualities—is a tale as old as time. This trend of discrimination and misogyny among our politicians should not come as a surprise after years of Filipino forgiveness, forgetfulness, and conformity for such behavior. We even elected a misogynist as president in 2016, not in spite of his discourteousness toward women, but for many, because of it. So, why would politicians cease their disrespectful demeanor, when sexism is what could possibly secure their seat of power?
Backward, with no heels
Duterte’s rise to power was as wretched as it was inevitable. Ripped out of our colonial history is the systematic oppression of women by “hispanizing” them—portraying them as meek-mannered subjects, obedient servants, and chaste virgins. This extends to our current political discourse, where prominent female politicians have been reduced to their connections to men. Former Vice President Leni Robredo, for instance, has been often confined to just being the late Jesse Robredo’s wife despite her stellar humanitarian track record during her term. This, in turn, empowers our politicians to embrace the “bastos” persona: a vile figure of hateful and unjust misogyny, tickling the darkest impulses among many of our fellow countrymen.
Not only did the concept of being bastos capture our collective imagination, but the Duterte copycats are also multiplying. Just last year, Camarines Sur gubernatorial reelectionist Lray Villafuerte told inappropriate pickup lines during a birthday party for his son, Cong. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte, at Nabua Central Pilot School. “Baril ka ba? Pahiram kahit isang putok lang,” is only a taste of the icky situation guests found themselves in.
(Are you a gun? Can I borrow you just for one shot?)
Meanwhile, the current senate lineup includes Sen. Robinhood Padilla and Sen. Bato dela Rosa. The former has been a champion of what he calls the “sexual right” of husbands over their wives, while the latter’s combative machismo during Duterte’s failed drug war propelled him into a political career.
Sexist remarks and demeanor appeal to the lowest common denominator in the underbelly of our patriarchal society, where conservative ideals have shoved women’s interests to the backburner. For one, the Philippines remains one of only two countries where divorce is still illegal. This removes legal protections against spousal abuse, wherein one in three married women have been a victim of, according to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey. Passing bills involving Comprehensive Sexual Education and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression is an uphill battle for the disenfranchised to achieve even the most basic of rights.
Politicians aren’t privy to this harsh reality; in effect, they lean into it as part of their campaign strategy. As these bastos political aspirants run rampant this election season, such an epidemic spreads into our societal consciousness, making it a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
Pretty in pink?
To alleviate sexism in our political discourse is to treat women as equals. It is a two-way street: women should be given credit for what they accomplish, but they should also be held accountable like any other politician.
Take former Commission on Audit commissioner and senate hopeful Heidi Mendoza, who recently drew flak due to her anti-same sex marriage stance. LGBTQ+ personalities were quick to call her out by emphasizing the need for a true ally to champion their rights in legislation. Honest and fruitful discussions elevated the political discussion on queer issues, and this prompted Mendoza to reflect upon her position, becoming malleable and clarifying that she will not oppose same-sex “unions.”
Women politicians are still politicians, with shortcomings that have large-scale repercussions for our country. During the Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administrations, poverty became more rampant. Prevalent labor issues can be traced back to Aquino-era policies such as the Value Added Tax, the Herrera Law, and widespread contractualization. Arroyo’s term has also been tainted by various corrupt practices exemplified by the “Hello, Garci” scandal. Meanwhile, presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos is still on an exhausting tirade to defend the top-bastos Duterte against facing accountability for crimes against humanity.
Political up-and-comer Camille Villar heralded herself as “a woman in a [male]-dominated field,” weaponizing “girlboss” feminism while conveniently omitting the fact that she has benefited from being part of the “fat” Villar political dynasty. She has recently been involved in alleged vote-buying during a campaign sortie in Cavite, becoming this election cycle’s first national candidate to be served a show cause order by the Comelec’s anti-vote buying committee.
Indeed, women can make misjudgments, be politically questionable, and even fight against women’s rights. But sexist remarks take away from this nuance, reinforcing the myth that women are a submissive, futile monolith. Contrary to the bastos belief, women are complex human beings.
C’mon, guys. It’s 2025.
The persistent rise of sexism within local political discourse can be eradicated by seriously condemning its practitioners. It’s as simple as us choosing to not shade the circle beside these sexists’ names on our election ballots. Shunning these candidates means rejecting their ideals, sending them a message that being bastos is both an immoral and outdated strategy.
Comelec Resolution No. 11127 upholds that violating safe spaces in election-related activities is an offense that may lead to disqualification. However, the reality is that the Comelec’s executory powers on this matter have historically lacked grit and still leave a lot to be desired. Pro-women causes may then provide a more positive outlook on our country’s female population. Any form of oppression must be uprooted from the systems within our institutions, and said systems must be updated for our 21st century beliefs. Sexism may be eliminated when genuine liberation is achieved.
The “s” in elections isn’t for sexism, but for sparking change that would benefit everyone, especially those at the fringes. Our picks this election cycle will reflect how we want to shape our society in the coming years. The ball is now in our court for this coming May 12 elections: Do we really want our sexist candidates to represent our morals, ambitions, and ideals?
