Candidates should win on platforms and not by having women dance on stage to entertain voters, the Philippine Commission on Women said this week.
In a press statement, PCW chair Remedios Ignacio-Rikken said the commission is “against any activity that capitalizes on sensual and provocative images of women.”
Last week, members of the Playgirls performed at the proclamation rally for incumbent Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III’s Team Malabon. The performance included suggestive dances and games despite there being children in the crowd and despite all standards of good taste.
Oreta has distanced himself from the sexy campaign rally and has dropped city councilor Edwin Dimagiba from his slate. Oreta will instead be running with the incumbent vice mayor. Dimagiba has meanwhile said he did not know the Playgirls would be performing at the rally.
The incident in Malabon is not an isolated incident, though, except in tastelessness. “To win votes, candidates should sell their political platforms, not women’s bodies,” Rikken said.
Beyond protecting women from exploitation, though, Rikken said it is time to have a “women’s vote.” Although more women than men turned out to vote in the 2010 elections–75.5 percent against 74.4 percent–the PCW said women voters do not necessarily vote for candidates carrying women’s issues.
“Elections are still a popularity contest. Voter’s education is still wanting. We should address this big issue so that voters, especially women, would consider candidates with agendas that support or promote women’s rights,” Rikken said.
