Fellow network personalities Karen Davila and Bianca Gonzalez finally speak up after some netizens took to social media to seek for their opinions regarding Entertainment reporter Gretchen Fullido’s sexual harassment complaint against some ABS-CBN execs.
Netizens called out the Kapamilya personalities for their ‘silence’ about the surfacing issue despite their vocal advocacy on women rights.
Karen Davila, on October 7, tweeted on her personal account, “NO to SEXUAL HARASSMENT. NO to any form of VICTIM SHAMING. Without prejudice to any of my colleagues, these values are eternal to my person.”
One netizen @LiveMyLyf88, however, replied to the reporter, saying Gretchen’s choice of clothing invites sexual harassment. Karen replied, “Hello @LiveMyLyf88 – a woman’s wardrobe or how she looks for that matter can never be cited as a reason for sexual harassment or a sexual crime. I am not fully aware on details of the case but wanted to correct you on this one item Have a good day!”
However, in another tweet from @bilyonaryo_ph, Karen stresses that she is not backing any side. She tweeted, “Hello Sir/Maam: Just to clarify, I said “without prejudice to any of my colleagues” which means “without judgement.” I do not have all details & info to this case.”
Another Filipina host, Bianca Gonzalez, who is also a known advocate of women rights, admired Gretchen for her bravery in revealing the supposed happening behind the camera. She tweeted, “Hanga ako sa tapang ni Ms. Gretchen Fullido. Sana’y lumabas ang katotohanan sa kaso at mabigyan ng hustisya (I admire Ms. Gretchen Fullido’s courage. I hope the truth comes out and justice is served.)”
Bianca sees the issue to be very sensitive and hard considering both parties involved are women. In the end, she just wishes for the truth to prevail.
She said, “Yes, women should support women. But when its women involved both sides, nawawala ang ‘babae ako’ at nagiging ‘babae tayo.’ Mahirap. Ang mga involved lang ang tunay na nakakaalam ng katotohanan. (‘I am a woman’ should disappear and become ‘we are women.’ It’s hard. Only the involved know the truth). But still, we do our best so that women support women.”
Gretchen filed the sexual harassment complaint against her former and current colleagues in ABS-CBN on October 5. [READ: Gretchen Fullido lodges sexual harassment, libel cases vs. ABS-CBN execs]
Amid the issue, Gretchen thanked the public for their support, and wished for prayers. She said, “Please just pray for me in these difficult times.”