Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177655588779320230301-women-purple-action-day-MT7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of women&#x27;s group GABRIELA together with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Sarilaya hold a Purple Action Day to register women&#x27;s demand for social justice on the opening of women&#x27;s month. The groups marched along Commonwealth avenue to CHR&#x27;s Liwasang Diokno to highlight issues affecting Filipino women. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Despite more than six years as a member of the House of Representatives, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago is not spared from being a target of gender-based harassment and hearing men’s typical scripts that stray into ad hominem arguments.</p><p>“Hindi ka dedebatihin sa kung ano yung posisyon mo sa issue pero ang magiging remarks o sagot sa iyo, ano ba yung itsura mo?” she recalled. </p><p>(They will not debate you on your position. They will instead respond with comments on your looks)</p><p>She said comments can be about her body, how she dresses, or on her being a woman.</p><p>“At iyon yung desperate attempt para maliitin yung boses ng mga kababaihan,” she added. </p><p>(And those are desperate attempts to diminish women&#x27;s voices)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/6/-manyak-na-abogado-gabriela-calls-out-topacio-remark-vs-elago-1537">&#x27;Manyak na abogado&#x27;: Gabriela calls out Topacio remark vs Elago<br/></a></div><p>Elago stressed there is no &quot;one face&quot; of harassment victims and perpetrators.  </p><p>In recent weeks, celebrities Anne Curtis and Xyriel Manabat became targets of lewd remarks by men — one from the House and another from the transport sector. </p><p>Reports on these incidents also generated similar comments from social media users.</p><p>Many more women find themselves victims of various forms of sexual harassment nearly every day. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LfqDDt4gkxw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>A 2021 <a href="https://rainbowresearchhub.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/RWS-Vol.-31-No.-1-63-100-Torre-2021-The-Incidence-and-Nature-of-Everyday-Sexism-in-Filipino-Womens-Lives_-Comparisons-of-Heterosexual-and-Sexual-Minority-Womens-Experiences.pdf">study </a>published in the Review of Women&#x27;s Studies found that 98% of female respondents had experienced a sexist event at least once in two weeks, including traditional gender role stereotypes, sexual objectification, demeaning comments or behaviors, and more.</p><p>The <a href="https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/infographics/Violence-Against-Women.pdf">2025 National Demographic and Health Survey</a> meanwhile said 15.4% of women aged 15-49 years have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence by their partner. </p><p>These despite the enactment of laws championing women’s rights, including the Safe Space Act, Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act and Magna Carta of Women. </p><p>Sociologists argue that VAW persists due to deeply rooted patriarchy and misogyny in Philippine society. </p><p>They said well-crafted legislation cannot be effective in a society where men are favored by the status quo, while women are forced to stay quiet in fear of backlash. </p><p>Elago meanwhile said VAW is anchored in the economic constraints women experience. She added while laws exist, insufficient funding and improper implementation leave them lacking.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PATRIARCHY</strong></div><p>Patriarchy in Philippine society dates back to the Spanish colonial period, when invaders instilled Catholicism — a patriarchal religion with defined gender roles — in pre-colonial Filipino communities where women held social roles and were equal to men, according to experts.</p><p>Gender studies sociologist Janice Zamora-Morales, a UP professor, said the sexual codes changed during this period, leading to a double standard of morality.</p><p>She said this made society “so strict about the sexual behavior of women, but there is no such kind of discipline in terms of men.”</p><p>During the American period, schools opened their doors to women but this era also saw the intensification of stereotypical gender roles of men and women.</p><p>Eight decades later, a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/5/sws-83-pct-of-filipinos-say-a-woman-s-role-is-to-look-after-home-family-0934">2025 survey</a> by the Social Weather Station showed that four out of five Filipinos still agree that “a man&#x27;s job is to earn money; a woman&#x27;s job is to look after home and family.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8bBVHSUnoK8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span> </div><div><strong>MISOGYNY</strong></div><p>Dr. Marie Aubrey Villaceran, director of the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, said the colonial mindsets that “reward men for being dominant, aggressive, and sexually assertive but will punish women for the same qualities” persist.</p><p>She said oppressors use humor to justify harmful remarks and to “make it hard for the receiver to object without being shamed for and accused of overreacting or not having a sense of humor.” </p><p>This tactic has been seen several times in the contemporary Philippine media, politics, and in communities. </p><p>Lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia, faced backlash in 2025 after making a “joke” during the election campaign period offering to sleep with single mothers.</p><p>He later admitted to using the same “joke” in the past, claiming it did not earn him negative reactions in the past. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/6/wrap-backlash-to-bets-sexist-jokes-a-significant-shift-towards-respect-and-equality-2158">WRAP: Backlash to bets’ sexist jokes a ‘significant shift’ towards respect and equality</a></div><p>Villaceran noted a “continuum of violence,” where sexual &quot;jokes&quot; reinforce the idea that “women&#x27;s bodies and dignity are available for public comment and male entertainment.”</p><p>She said “normalizing the ‘harmless joke’ end of that spectrum makes the more severe end easier to excuse.”</p><p>Many harassed women also refuse to report their cases because society blames them more than the perpetrator.</p><p>Villaceran said victims are often asked “what they were wearing, where they were going and why they were even at those places, or even whether the harassment was provoked.”</p><p>Stemming from the standard of morality for women during the Spanish period, present society “will link a woman’s honor to her sexual reputation,” and that coming forward about their experience will expose them to gossip, judgment, and “family pressure to stay quiet for risk shaming the whole family.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17765627001981776562697690.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Women commuters enter an MRT-3 station in Quezon City on April 6, 2026. Bea Cuadra, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span> </div><div><strong>INCREASED PARTICIPATION NO GUARANTEE OF REPRESENTATION</strong></div><p>Women&#x27;s representation in Philippine politics has increased over the years but the sociologists said only some are actually interested in lobbying for women’s rights.  </p><p>Zamora-Morales pointed out that most female politicians, especially those in higher positions, are products of political dynasties and are &quot;substitutes&quot; for male relatives who have reached their term limits.</p><p>“Hindi lang usapin ng dami ng bilang ng mga babae who are sitting in office ang pinag-uusapan natin (It is not just a matter of how many women are in office), but the quality, for example, the legislation that they create when they&#x27;re already sitting in that position,” she said.</p><p>Meanwhile, men, who the professor said pose themselves as masculine, cool and “chick boys” to appeal to the electorate, continue to dominate government.</p><p>Zamora-Morales said women have to surpass that barrier to push their issues “because those experiences are largely abstract for the dominant group.”</p><p>Villaceran said politicians “making decisions about women&#x27;s lives are mostly people who have not lived those lives.” </p><p>Several politicians have previously made sexual remarks against women in public, with Quezon City Rep. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/7/-i-do-not-accept-your-non-apology-anne-curtis-to-seek-legal-advice-on-suntay-s-remarks-1636">Bong Suntay</a>, who said he felt desire for Anne Curtis, as the latest addition to the list. </p><p>Villaceran noted that women also fear reporting their experienced harassment if the perpetrator is an influential politician or someone with a high social standing, because “it can risk the complainant&#x27;s losing of her job, being isolated and shamed in her community, or even her or her friends and family&#x27;s safety.”</p><p>Although Suntay has had to appear before the House ethics committee, he has yet to receive serious censure for his lewd remarks about Curtis.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/18/suntay-appears-before-house-ethics-panel-again-1936">Suntay appears before House ethics panel again</a></div><p>“For women, the lesson is this: The rules that are supposed to protect them do not apply to the men with power,” Villaceran said.</p><p>“The Magna Carta of Women legally requires the government to uphold women&#x27;s rights and dignity. When the people running government are the ones violating that standard and then get away with it, the law does not hold any weight,” she added. </p><p>Despite “very strong laws” and policy changes, women still get harassed and silenced “if society does not see the persistent inequality, if people enforcing those laws don&#x27;t believe women, if communities shame survivors into staying quiet, and if the men making the remarks never face any real consequences.”</p><div> </div><div><strong>ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS</strong></div><p>Elago meanwhile highlighted the insufficient funding and ineffective implementation of the women’s rights laws.</p><p>The Anti-VAWC Act mandates legal, medical, psychosocial, livelihood and other forms of assistance for victim-survivors but Elago said there is little funding for these.</p><p>She added that many victims also refuse to report the harassment they experience because of concerns about lawyers&#x27; fees and other expenses. She said this has prompted Gabriela to open a free legal clinic for VAWC cases.</p><p>The lawmaker noted that poverty is among the greatest factors behind gender-based violence at home, and victims often need economic empowerment to set themselves free from an abusive household. </p><p>“Habang tumitindi ang gutom at kahirapan, tumitindi din yung VAW,” she said. </p><p>(As hunger and poverty worsens, violence against women intensifies) </p><p>Equal opportunities, decent jobs, livelihood, living wages, and security of tenure will decide victims’ survival, Elago said. </p><p>“Kasi paano ka makakawala doon sa mapang-abusong relasyon kung natatakot ka nga mawalan ng sustento yung anak, o kaya wala kang sarili mong trabaho o kabuhayan para masuportahan mo yung mga anak mo, masuportahan yung sarili mo,” Elago said. </p><p>(Because how can you get away from an abusive relationship if you are afraid to lose support for your child, or if you don&#x27;t have your own job or source of livelihood to support yourself and your children?)</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17765600511931776560048578.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Passengers on a chartered flight from the Middle East—consisting of 153 Overseas Filipino Workers, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos—arrive at Villamor Air Base on March 19, 2026. <em>Yummie Dingding, PPA pool</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>INTERVENTIONS</strong></div><p>The representative said Gabriela has filed a bill strengthening the Safe Spaces Act to include public officials, as well as “image-based abuse,” where women’s photos are run through <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/1/17/gabriela-grok-mess-shows-need-for-stiffer-measures-vs-deepfakes-ai-assisted-abuse-1340">generative AI apps to make sexual images. </a></p><p>The party-list also filed the “Bawal Bastos sa Eleksiyon” bill last year, seeking to disqualify election candidates who make misogynistic remarks. </p><p>During the 2025 election campaign period, Sia of Pasig City was <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/8/comelec-disqualifies-pasig-bet-christian-sia-0956">disqualified </a>from running due to his sexual remarks against single mothers.</p><p>But then-Misamis Oriental gubernatorial reelectionist Peter &quot;Señor Pedro&quot; Unabia, who made a similar “joke” about a nursing scholarship that favors “beautiful women,” was allowed to stay in the race. He lost the election.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/4/6/gabriela-blasts-misamis-oriental-gov-unabia-over-sexist-remarks-1421">Gabriela blasts Misamis Oriental Gov. Unabia over sexist remarks</a></div><p>Gabriela has also filed the “Expanded Anti-VAWC” bill which includes technology-facilitated violence against women and seeks to increase the VAWC leave to 20 working days from the current 10. </p><p>It also aims to implement victim and survivor-centered services so victim-survivors may receive assistance, especially in their livelihood, to begin again. </p><p>Elago noted the need to support local agriculture and industries to boost domestic job creation to economically empower women and to encourage them to work in the Philippines.</p><p>“Marami po sa mga babaeng may trabaho, walang trabaho sa Pilipinas. Ang trabaho nila abroad. Ang nagiging problema diyan, syempre may effect yan sa family,” she said. </p><p>(Because of the lack of jobs in the Philippines, many working women are abroad. The problem is that has an effect on the family)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A TASK FOR EVERYONE</strong></div><p>For sociologists Zamora-Morales and Villaceran, an inter-institutional intervention is necessary.</p><p>“[T]his is not just a task of an individual or a law, kung hindi ng buong lipunan (but of society),” Zamora-Morales said.</p><p>Villaceran said young men and women should be educated about consent and respect.</p><p>“Harassment doesn&#x27;t end because women get stronger at defending themselves. It ends when men stop,” she said.</p><p>Zamora-Morales, who wants sexuality education included in the elementary school curriculum, said young girls should be educated and empowered so they can claim their rights by knowing “that no one has the right to violate their private space.”</p><p>Elago underscored that the fight for women’s rights entails the call for accessible justice, information and victim-survivor-centered services.</p><p>“Gusto natin i-emphasize na hindi lang itong laban ng mga babae pero laban natin itong lahat, na matiyak na walang espasyo para sa mga pambabastos, pang-aalipusta o pagmamaliit sa kahit sinuman sa ating lipunan,” she said. </p><p>(We want to emphasize that this is not just a fight for women, but for all of us, to make sure there is no room for disrespect, harassment and discrimination of anyone in society)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/4/9/grab-ph-apologizes-to-xyriel-manabat-over-driver-s-lewd-remarks-1310">Grab PH apologizes to Xyriel Manabat over driver&#x27;s lewd remarks</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0TKWt1UufdE?si=4fkBYourLDxtHb-S" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" spellcheck="false"></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Sociologists argue that Violence Against Women persists due patriarchy and misogyny in Philippine society. They said well-crafted legislation cannot be effective in a society where men are favored by the status quo and women have to keep quiet in fear of backlash. </p>

Sociologists argue that Violence Against Women persists due patriarchy and misogyny in Philippine society. They said well-crafted legislation cannot be effective in a society where men are favored by the status quo and women have to keep quiet in fear of backlash.

Culture, economic constraints keep women at risk of harassment despite laws

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Culture, economic constraints keep women at risk of harassment despite laws

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 19, 2026 09:17 AM PHT

|

Updated April 19, 2026 10:16 AM PHT

Read More:

Women

harassment

patriarchy

misogyny

Gabriela

Sarah Elago

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