VP backers resort to ad hominem, sexism to cover for issues

MANILA, Philippines — The reason why supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte resort to personal attacks and sexist remarks when criticizing individuals linked to the prosecution panel is that they try to avoid discussions on glaring issues, past and present, the House lawmakers said on Tuesday.

During a press briefing while Duterte’s impeachment trial was on a break, prosecution spokesperson and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said that this has been how the Vice President’s supporters operated when she is under criticism.

The lawmakers were asked about this after public prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora was subjected to misogynistic comments regarding the way she conducted her direct examination of a witness during Monday’s trial, and after the attacks against Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., who fell asleep inside the Senate’s plenary hall.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Well, since day one naman, ad hominem naman na sila eh ’no, wala naman silang discussion tungkol sa substance ng pinag-uusapan sa impeachment court. And in fact, ang aming nababasa’t naoobserbahan na kapag ad hominem na ‘yong kanilang strategy, it is because one, hindi nila naiintindihan maaari, hindi nila naiintindihan ’yong napapag-uusapan,” Barbers said.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

(Well, since day one, they have been resorting to ad hominem; they had no discussions about the substance that has been discussed at the impeachment court. And in fact, from what we read and observe, when they resort to an ad hominem as a strategy, it is because, one, they cannot understand the discussions.)

“Pangalawa, dahil ang task nila ay sirain ‘yong credibility ng mga members ng prosecution panel, so they start hitting them on a personal level. So kaya nga ano eh, that’s a rite of passage, welcome to the club,” he added, referring to Zamora, who was also present during the briefing.

(Second, that is because it is their task to destroy the credibility of the prosecution panel’s members, so they start hitting them on a personal level. So I think that’s a rite of passage, welcome to the club.)

READ: Abante: I fell asleep because defense’s questions are boring

Article continues after this advertisement

Typical operation

Ortega said that this has been the typical operation done by Duterte supporters, even when the House had the quad committee.

The quad committee probed allegations linked to Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte—from the illegal activities inside Philippine offshore gaming operators that proliferated during his term, human rights violations during anti-illegal drug operations, and a supposed rewards system for cops who could kill drug suspects.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Wala eh, gano’n talaga eh, from quad comm days hanggang ngayon, ano talaga, ’yong pagmumukha, ’yong mga character attacks, parang ‘yon talaga ’yong MO (modus operandi) nila eh. Minsan nasasanay na rin tayo, ‘di ba? Pero nakakatawa pa rin na gano’n kababa ’yong level,” Ortega noted.

(We can’t do anything about it; from quad comm days up to now, they ridicule our faces, do character attacks; it seems that is their MO (modus operandi). Sometimes we become accustomed to it, right? But it’s funny that they go down that level.)

Several individuals have accused Zamora of being “flirtatious” and “acting cute” when she did the examination of Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-FEO) official P/Maj. Joericson Sangalang — a matter echoed by several of the vice president’s supporters.

Zamora called out these people who made the comments online, saying that they should “get a life” if they cannot handle her sass and style.

READ: Zamora tells bashers behind sexist remarks: Get a life

“Sana ano lang ’no, itaas natin ’yong level of discourse here, especially here in the impeachment proceedings, dahil kailangan pong maintindihan ng mas maraming tao ang nangyayari dito sa impeachment. So, ‘yon lang,” Zamora said.

(I hope we raise the level of discourse here, especially here in the impeachment proceedings, because more people have to understand what is happening with the impeachment trial. That’s it.)

In a separate statement, Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago also said they stand with Zamora, saying that the topic should be about the issues laid down during the impeachment trial, and not the objectification of women.

“We stand with Rep. Bel Zamora against the misogynistic comments and personal attacks directed at her online following her role in the impeachment trial. Sa halip na pag-usapan ang mga isyung kanyang inihapag sa impeachment trial, ang naging atake ay nakatuon sa kanyang pagkatao at pagiging babae,” Elago said.

(We stand with Rep. Bel Zamora against the misogynistic comments and personal attacks directed at her online following her role in the impeachment trial. Instead of discussing the matter she laid down during the impeachment trial, the attacks were pointed at her personality and being a woman.)

“Hindi dapat maging normal ang ganitong asal online. May karapatan ang kababaihan na magsalita, magtanong, at makilahok sa mga pampublikong usapin nang hindi minamaliit, binabastos, o tinatakot dahil lamang sa kanilang paninindigan,” she added.

(Such an attitude online should not be the norm. Women have the right to speak, ask questions, and be involved in public discussions without being belittled, ridiculed, or threatened just because they are taking a stand.)

Elago said those posting sexist remarks against Zamora should be held liable.

Sangalang was presented on Monday to testify on the market value of the firearms owned by Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio. Under Zamora’s questions, Sangalang said that the total market value of the Duterte-Carpio couple’s firearms was P7.2 million—P2.184 million for the vice president, and P5.035 million for Carpio.

READ: Defense skips cross-examination of PNP official over VP’s firearms

The Senate Impeachment Court is currently discussing Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which deals with allegations that Duterte has unexplained wealth which were not properly disclosed in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

The matter of the Duterte-Carpio couple’s firearms being related to Article II of the Articles of Impeachment was first raised by the public prosecutor and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon last June 16, when he said that they found new evidence for Duterte’s impeachment case. /cb