Veteran broadcaster Arnold Clavio has spoken out against public officials he described as disrespectful toward women, saying such individuals should no longer be allowed to hold positions in government.
In a recent Instagram post, the GMA News anchor criticized the growing number of male officials who make inappropriate remarks about women, particularly amid the ongoing controversy involving Bong Suntay and actress Anne Curtis.
“Hindi na dapat mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga katulad nila sa gobyerno na walang respeto sa kababaihan,” Clavio wrote.
Clavio questioned why such behavior continues to persist in politics, saying public tolerance may be part of the problem.
“At bakit sila naglipana? Dahil natatawa pa tayo sa kanilang pagyayabang at papansin na mga kabastusan.”
The broadcaster went further by condemning what he described as predatory attitudes among some officials.
“Hindi na ba alam ang pagkakaiba ng tao sa mababangis na hayop? Walang lugar sa gobyerno at sa bansa ang mga predator! Dapat ay maging extinct na sila.”
Clavio’s post also included video clips of controversial statements made by several public figures.
One of the clips showed former president Rodrigo Duterte making a rape joke during a 2016 campaign event.
“Nagalit ako kasi ni-rape? Oo. Isa rin ’yon. Pero napakaganda. Dapat mayor muna ang nauna. Sayang.”
Another clip featured remarks by Robin Padilla discussing marital sexual consent during a 2024 Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing.
Clavio’s post also referenced a sexually suggestive pick-up line from LRay Villafuerte and a controversial joke by former Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia.
The issue of disrespect toward women in politics has gained renewed attention during Women’s Month, particularly after Suntay’s remarks during a House hearing where he admitted that he felt “desire” after seeing Curtis at a hotel.
Curtis later described the statement as a “vulgar, sexualized analogy” and rejected what she called the congressman’s “non-apology.”
The actress also said she is considering possible legal action following the incident.
