PM Stands with Senator Risa Hontiveros Against Vilification by Quiboloy Camp

 

Photo from Daily Tribune

Partido Manggagawa stands with Senator Risa Hontiveros against the malicious attacks orchestrated by the Quiboloy camp, as the Committee on Women and Children resumed its public hearing yesterday on the latter’s alleged criminal offenses.

 

The group asserts that the arrest of Quiboloy is a fitting commemoration of women's month. Tomorrow women members of Partido Manggagawa are joining two mass actions; at the Senate in the morning and at Mehan Garden in the afternoon.

 

Senator Risa hoped that the man at the center of the controversy finally submits under the jurisdiction of the Senate for investigation, in aid of legislation. Quibuloy failed to show up again, prompting the committee to finally issue a warrant of arrest against the self-appointed son of god.

 

But in a bid to defend himself in absentia, Quibuloy sent his followers to the Senate yesterday to demand Senator Risa's resignation instead. His followers claim to seek justice for what they perceive as unjust treatment of their leader by both the US and Philippine governments. Yet, Quibuloy himself conveniently avoids facing the same demands for justice within his own kingdom. In retaliation, he stoops to vilifying the individual who dares to subject him to public scrutiny. 

 

Here he crossed the line long held and defended by the women’s movement.

 

Targeting a champion of women's and children's rights like Senator Risa Hontiveros is an affront to all women. It is deeply concerning to witness a cult leader, who shirks accountability for his crimes by hiding in the shadows, manipulating his female followers to shield him from scrutiny, and tarnishing the reputation of a prominent female leader. This behavior exposes him for what he truly is: an incorrigible male supremacist.

 

Senator Risa may stand as the lone woman in the Senate on this contentious issue of justice, but she stands fortified by the unwavering support from grassroots women across the nation. United in solidarity, this battle is already won, with or without Quibuloy's human body landing in jail. 

06 March 2024

Keep women and children safe from rape and sexual abuse in disaster areas

Joint Statement of Partido ng Manggagawa Women’s Committee and Women’s Day Off

15 November 2013

It’s the 6^th day of the aftermath of super-typhoon Yolanda.  Food distribution, power and water supplies, communication and transportation have remained big problems.  Hence, victims have become hungrier and more desperate.  According to Secretary Ochoa, government needs to produce 146,000 relief packs a day.  So far, it has only been able to produce 50,000 per day.  Various groups, families of victims and individuals have mobilized relief goods but these could not compensate for the big shortage.  Logically, a significant number of people have been going hungry for days.

Today, the situation has become even more distressing as confirmed reports of rape began to surface, particularly in Tacloban City.  Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and Women’s Day Off fear that the same thing may be happening in other affected areas especially in towns/sitios where power has not been restored and the local government non-functional.  Moreover, the consequent deprivation of food and water for days increases the danger of coercive sexual encounters among women and children.

The impact of disasters such as Yolanda on reproductive health can be devastating.  We are equally concerned with displaced women who will be pregnant, face delivery under dangerous conditions, and others who may be victims of violence.  In addition to food and water, and other basic needs, we expect the need for reproductive health services and information to persist and even escalate.

The Philippine government should immediately set-up temporary refuge/shelters to house women and children to isolate them from the risk of rape and other forms of sexual abuse.  In the absence of hospitals or clinics nearby, makeshift health facilities with essential items to ensure the health of women and newborns should likewise be set-up.  Finally, makeshift toilets and baths with locks should also be constructed for the use of women and children.  Their safety is as vital.  Recovery and rehabilitation will take time, hence, the importance of these temporary structures and services for women and children.