House prosecutor San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora criticized the sexist and misogynistic remarks aimed at her following her questioning of a witness about Vice President Sara Duterte’s firearms, saying the people behind such comments should “get a life.”
Zamora, a lawyer, said these commenters could probably not handle “sass” and “style.”
“It’s so unfortunate that a lot of Filipinos still think that way, they still make misogynistic remarks, especially directed towards women, girls, who apparently are smart and can speak well, and can be a lawyer in an impeachment court. So siguro they can’t handle sass, they can’t handle style,” Zamora said in a press briefing.
She also said she would not let herself be distracted by their comments as she fulfills her duties as prosecutor.
“I don’t care if they bash me. I’m here to do my job and let’s see. Yun lang. I mean, seriously, di ba, they should get a life,” she said.
She also recalled speaking before the United Nations about the barriers to women improving or uplifting their lives.
“So itong mga comments na ganito, ito yung tinalakay namin sa United Nations and well, again, it’s very unfortunate that we still have members of our society who think that way,” she said.
Zamora led the direct examination of Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office records chief Police Major Joericson Sangalang about the 51 firearms registered to Duterte and her husband Manases Carpio.
Her style of questioning drew numerous reactions online, including criticism from some who described it as “flirtatious” and “inappropriate.”