PRRD serious about pro-women policies: Roque

FILE: Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. (PCOO Photo)

MANILA – Despite criticisms over his remarks on women, President Rodrigo Duterte remains committed to push policies that protect and advance women’s rights, Malacanang said Friday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this assurance in a press conference in Paniqui, Tarlac in line with the celebration of Women’s Month this year.

“The President does not promote violence against women. Let us not take the words of the President literally but of course we should take the President’s words seriously,” Roque said.

Roque said Duterte upholds pro-women policies even when he was still mayor of Davao City until he became the first President of the Republic from Mindanao.

Under then mayor Duterte, Roque said Davao City has established women and child protection units to provide psychological prevention and intervention for women and children.

“So there is a distinction between his language and his policies. When it comes to policies, Davao City is recognized as one of the friendliest cities to women,” Roque said.

“President Duterte should be judged on what he did for women in Davao City which is a trailblazer in upholding the rights of women,” he added.

Roque said Duterte has even signed Executive Order No. 12 “to attain and sustain zero unmet needs for modern family planning through the strict implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.”

Roque added that Duterte has also banned the deployment of the Filipino workers in Kuwait to prevent further abuses and harassment being committed against Filipina domestic workers.

Roque said the massive campaign against illegal drugs and criminality was also aimed at protecting women from violence and criminality.

“The President has been serious in advancing the lives of the Filipino women in this country,” he said.