MORE lawmakers on Monday joined in condemning former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong for his threatening remarks against First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, calling it an act of violence against women and an affront to basic human decency.
“Without a doubt, he should. The words that he uttered against our First Lady are totally uncalled for,” Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez said when asked by a reporter if he would demand an apology from Chong during a press conference at the House of Representatives.
Suarez added: “He should. I don’t only demand it, but I think out of common courtesy and basic human nature, I think he should.”
Malasakit@Bayanihan Partylist Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez said that violence against women should never be tolerated, even in rhetoric or jokes.
Golez remarked, “I think hindi po sinasampal ang mga babae even in rhetoric or even in jokes. As matter of fact, istrikto nga tayo diyan because meron tayong batas laban sa karahasan against women and children. Hindi po sila sinasampal, minamahal po sila.”
Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues, 1-RIDER Party-List Rep. Rodge Gutierrez asserted that no one should allude to violence against women in the pursuit of political discourse.
“On behalf of all the women that we love, I think all of us should demand an apology from this person because never should it be acceptable in furtherance of political rhetoric to allude to violence against women,” Gutierrez stressed.
He added: “Lahat naman tayo may nanay, we have sisters, some of us have daughters. The question is, sa ngayon ang lipunan po natin, acceptable na po ba ang ganitong pananalita? Is that what we have come down to? I don’t think so. We take a stand and I think that we as a people should demand accountability for statements such as this.”
House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun emphasized the importance of setting a positive example for society, particularly for the younger generation.
He urged individuals to think carefully before uttering offensive words, saying, “Sa society natin hindi naman katanggap-tanggap iyung kabastusan ng bibig. Talagang tama nga ang sinasabi ng aking mga kasama na ang babae minamahal at hindi sinasaktan.”
“My unsolicited advice, sana bago tayo nagbibitiw ng mga ganitong salita, sana pinag-iisipan muna nating mabuti,” Khonghun said.
Last week, House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin castigated Chong for what she described as “disrespectful” remarks against the First Lady, particularly during Women’s Month celebrations.
“Medyo pangit talaga tingnan bilang isang lalaki, Women’s Month pa naman ngayon,” Garin said. “Kasi nung pinalaki ako ng aking mga magulang, ang pagkaintindi ko tayong mga Pilipino tinuturuan tayo na habang tayo ay lumalaki nandoon parin ang respeto.”
Garin added that while there are numerous outlets for expressing anger, resorting to violence is strongly discouraged as it sets “a bad example for our children.”
Over the weekend, Reps. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur’s 2nd District and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte’s 2nd District demanded a public apology from Chong for his “conduct unbecoming of a gentleman.”
