(The Philippine Star)
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach waves Philippine flag during her homecoming parade in January.Philstar.com / Efigenio Toledo IV, file
MANILA, Philippines – Former women government officials and leaders of women’s advocacy groups and civil society have signed a petition addressed to the Miss Universe Organization to reconsider its decision to hold the pageant in the Philippines next year, in light of what they consider as President Duterte and his allies’ chauvinist demeanor.
Among the prominent names in the petition that has so far gathered 58 signatories, based on a Facebook post by a certain Annie Serrano, were human rights activist Etta Rosales, former chairman of the Commission on Human Rights; Corazon Soliman, former secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; former beauty queen Aurora Pijuan, convenor of the national barangay assembly in 2010; Karina Constantino-David, former chairman of the Civil Service Commission under the Arroyo administration; singer Leah Navarro, co-convener of the Black and White Movement that opposed former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Imelda Nicolas, former chairman of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas; and Vicky Garchitorena, former president of Ayala Foundation.
The letter, addressed to Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart, cited recent actions and comments of the President and other government officials toward women as a “fundamental” reason not to hold the pageant in the country.
“This reason is the objectionable, scandalous and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte and his cohorts towards womankind,” the letter read.
“In recent months, chauvinism, brutal shaming, rape jokes and a sweeping disregard for women as persons deserving not merely of a token but true respect has been exhibited by the President of the Philippines with his salacious and sexist comments and treatment of female reporters and opposition figures, which has carried over to his allies in the Philippine Congress,” it added.
The petitioners claimed that hosting the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines would only reinforce such attitude toward women.
“To hold the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines at this time would serve as a reward of this intolerable behavior and excuse such behavior,” the letter went on. “It would reinforce a troubling trend in our society. It would make your organization a partner to these backward and dangerous steps, which are serious violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).”
Among the 58 individuals who have signed the petition are former government officials, businesswomen, human rights advocates, members of non-government organizations, professors and concerned citizens.
The petition, which was also posted on Facebook, gained both support and criticism from netizens.
In a statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) asserted that hosting the Miss Universe pageant would be a “great honor” for the Philippines.
The agency also maintained that the international exposure that the Philippines would get from hosting the pageant would benefit the local tourism sector.
“While the DOT gives due respect to such opinion as signified by a group of women leaders and concerned citizens, we assure everyone that we deem it a great honor to host the distinguished event that portrays the most beautiful and talented women with highest regard,” the DOT said.
“In this light, the DOT expresses its utmost gratitude to the Miss Universe Organization for giving us the great opportunity to treat the world to genuine Filipino hospitality,” it added.
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