Theater actress Monique Wilson joined the chorus of netizens and celebrities who weighed in on presidential bet and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s rape quip.
Unlike 99% of netizens, however, hers is sober and levelheaded.
In an open letter posted on her Facebook account on Mon, Apr 18, Monique said she hopes Duterte would use her power to end rape culture. “Please allow humility to deepen your education and understanding of rape,” she said.
Her open letter is not a complete takedown of the presidential candidate. Monique said she is aware of the “dignity and respect and value given to women and girls” in Davao City. She also sees how “[Duterte’s heart] loudly against the injustices heaped against” the marginalized sector.
But the Miss Saigon alum said Duterte reminds her of her late father and former vice mayor of Makati Johnny Wilson, who gave Monique her “first sense of injustice.”
“[He was] a Marcos man [who] always told his children we should always be proud he never stole from the government… He was of the people. For them. He served them. I witnessed this truth my entire growing up life. But at home he called my mother names and put her down. He was mean to her. He womanized. He called women every derogatory name much like how you do. His male macho privilege permeated our home, our family — and his devaluing of women created fear, insecurity, anger, instability, duplicity, double standards.”
She said Duterte’s actions play a part in perpetuating rape culture.
“Rape culture is denying the weight and seriousness of the crime by joking about it. It doesn’t matter that you tell us later on what the context of the story was — all that matters is that you MADE LIGHT OF IT,” Monique said.
Read Monique Wilson’s open letter to Duterte below:
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There are also celebrities who defended Duterte amid the controversy, including Robin Padilla who said change should come from actions and not words.
Aiza Seguerra also defended Duterte in an Instagram post on Tue, Apr 19. “Hindi hero ang tingin namin sa kanya. Isa siyang kakampi,” he said.
