A senator drew widespread criticism after asking about an athlete’s relationship status and suggesting a fellow lawmaker “can apply.”
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, on Friday, March 6, was present during the naturalization of Gilas Pilipinas Women’s player Elizabeth Jeanette Means at the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Means is a US-born basketball player whose grandfather was born in Camarines Sur.
Her Filipino citizen was among the matters tackled in the Senate, with senators noting that her inclusion in the team “would enhance the team’s performance in upcoming basketball tournaments and strengthen the country’s global presence in the women’s basketball arena.”
During the Senate hearing, Estrada asked about Means’ stay in the Philippines, including where she is staying, what she likes about the country and the which Filipino dishes she has tried.
The line of questioning then turned to her relationship status.
“You have a Filipino boyfriend?” Estrada asked.
Means shook her head and answered, “Not yet po,” following it up with a laugh.
“Maybe Senator Pangilinan might want to apply,” Estrada said and then laughed, referring to Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.
“Sorry kay Sharon,” he added, referring to Pangilinan’s wife, “Megastar” Sharon Cuneta.
A clip of the exchange drew online outrage, with many Filipinos criticizing Estrada for remarks they described as “lewd.”
“Lewd remarks ng politiko, biro lang. ‘Pag ordinaryong tao, bastos? Senador, magbiro parang tumatagay sa kanto!! Anong klaseng mga politiko meron tayo? Babaero, may kabit, sugarol, ex-convict, may death squad, sinungaling, walang natapos, nagmumura, nanununtok?!” a Pinoy commented.
“Ang bastos ni accla! Alam niyang may asawa ‘yong tao at Megastar pa!” another wrote, referring to Pangilinan.
“Tell me this, kelan pa naging The Buzz ang any government hearings or proceedings? Kasi parang ‘di ko na talaga ma-reconcile ‘yung binabayad kong tax over sa services na nakukuha sa government,” a different X user said.
“Nakakahiya! Nakakadismaya! Sasabihin ko sana na parang tambay lang sa kanto, kaso nakakahiya naman, mas may manners pa ang mga tambay. Konting finesse naman diyan, senator po kayo,” another Pinoy wrote.
Filmmaker Jun Robles Lana also criticized the senator, lamenting the “casual sexism” he said has become a “national embarrassment.”
“First, it was a joke about a ‘desire’ for a celebrated actress during an impeachment proceeding. Now, it’s a senator asking a world-class athlete about her ‘Filipino boyfriend.’ When will our leaders realize that their casual sexism is a national embarrassment?” he wrote.
“We didn’t elect you to play Cupid or verbalize your crushes on tax-payer time. Respect the office. Respect women. Or better yet, just do your job,” Lana added.
Estrada’s comment also drew criticism from “Go Hard Girls” founder Ceej Tantengco-Malolos, who described the question as “creepy.”
“A 63-year-old creepily asking a 24-year-old about her personal life is not an appropriate way to assess this commitment,” she was quoted as saying.
Ceej said the incident, which involved a senator and an athlete seeking naturalization, reflected a “power imbalance.”.
Suntay and Anne Curtis
Estrada’s comment comes days after another lawmaker, Rep. Bong Suntay (Quezon City, Fourth District), made remarks about actress-host Anne Curtis, saying he had “imagined” doing things to her.
Suntay’s wife, along with other personalities, condemned his comments, emphasizing that every woman “deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Suntay later apologized, saying he did not intend anything “malicious” and claiming he was using the comment as an analogy in reference to Vice President Sara Duterte’s comment about “imagining” cutting off President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s head.
The House of Representatives has already summoned Suntay to appear before the House Committee on Ethics over his inappropriate remarks about Anne Curtis.
Both Suntay and Estrada’s comments come as the Philippines observes National Women’s Month this March, a period that celebrates women’s achievements while promoting empowerment and gender equality.
ALSO READ: ‘No woman should be spoken about that way’: Suntay’s wife on husband’s remarks about Anne Curtis
