The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality condemned “misogynistic, sexualized, and personal attacks” on House prosecutor San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora after she led the direct examination of a witness in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
The panel’s chair, Laguna Rep. Rene Ann Matibag, said a woman who speaks in the exercise of official duties should be answered on the substance of her statement, “not diminished because of how she looks, sounds, or carries herself.”
“Women in public service should never have to shrink themselves, soften their voices, or apologize for taking up space simply to escape ridicule,” Matibag said.
Matibag also said the concern goes beyond Zamora and concerns all women who enter public life.
“If we want more women to participate fully in our democracy, our public discourse must make room for strong disagreement without resorting to gender-based degradation and harassment,” she said.
She called on public officials, supporters, the media, and the public to focus public discussions on issues and reject misogyny and sexualized attacks.
“To Cong. Bel Zamora: stand your ground. Keep speaking. Keep serving. The Committee stands with you,” she added.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson also stood up for Zamora, with whom he has personal ties as her wedding sponsor. He is also friends with her father, former San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.
“She is a capable, smart and beautiful person inside out who can stand up for what she believes is right,” Lacson said.
His remark came after Sen. Raffy Tulfo said the prosecution’s strategy sometimes flops and added that it should choose its witnesses better, because time is being wasted.
Tulfo also alluded to somebody trying to act cute.
“Mayroon pa nga kayong kinuha na pinagtatawanan tuloy, napapa-cute lang, habang may kinakausap na witness na pulis, etcetera. So ingat kayo sa pagkukuha ng mga witness, at ingat kayo sa pagsasalang ng mga abogado ninyo diyan,” Tulfo said.