Philippines: Duterte attracts criticism for defence of adultery

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has been slammed by fellow parliamentarians for comments he made defending a close political ally’s extramarital affairs.

Last week, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez caused controversy when he admitted to having eight children, six of whom out of wedlock. Speaking on television on Tuesday night, Duterte said Alvarez was not a Catholic and thus was not required to be monogamous, reported Philstar.

“Even if [Alvarez] says he has five or four [mistresses] we can’t do anything. He never converted to Christianity so he is not bound by the number of women you can have,” Duterte said.

“This is a world of hypocrisy. Who here has no mistress?”

Senator Risa Hontiveros told AFP “all of it is sexist and misogynistic to explain improper behaviour simply by virtue of being male.”

“It sends a message that undermines the many struggles and gains so far for women’s rights and gender equality.”

Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines chairman Elizabeth Angioco said, “These are men in positions of power, so it’s unacceptable and appalling they just speak



lightly of these things. It’s very dangerous.”

Duterte has long drawn criticism for sexist remarks and in the past bragged he had two wives and two girlfriends.

Prior to his election, the president told a crowd, “Many are asking what my credentials are and what I can do for the Philippines.”

“They are telling me they heard I am a womaniser. That is true. That is very true.”

Some of Duterte’s biggest critics have been women, with Vice-President Leni Robredo recently sending a message to the United Nations condemning his war on drugs and criticising his brutal methods.

Senator Leila M. De Lima, who has long condemned Duterte’s rhetoric and was recognised by Amnesty International as a leading human rights activist in Southeast Asia, was recently arrested on corruption and drugs-related charges, which the EU declared “entirely fabricated.”

Last month, opposition lawmaker Gary Alejano filed an impeachment complaint in the Philippine Congress accusing the embattled leader of “engaging in bribery, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes.”