Hontiveros: Stop the Victim-Blaming, Pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros called for a stop to the culture of victim blaming and gender discrimination during the second round of interpellations of the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB) on Monday.

Answering questions from Senators Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Hontiveros explained that the proposed bill seeks to protect a person’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) from discrimination and harm.

During the course of the interpellation, several such cases were discussed, among them the murder of Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old Filipino transwoman Jennifer Laude, at the hands of United States Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton. When Pacquiao suggested that Pemberton was deceived by Laude into thinking she was straight, Hontiveros responded by saying that the victims should not be blamed for the heinous crime.

“Siya na nga ang pinatay, siya pa ang may sala. This is unacceptable. Let us not resort to victim-blaming in an attempt to excuse crimes on the grounds of someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros explained that Pacquaio was actually using the “gay and trans panic defense”, a homophobic and transphobic defense against charges of assault and murder.

“This line of defense and logic has already been widely discredited. In fact in California, this so-called legal defense has been officially banned in murder trials, with the American Bar Association (ABA) strongly suggesting that other states should do the same,” Hontiveros said.

Questions were also raised about which restrooms were appropriate for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Hontiveros said that transwomen can use female restrooms while transmen and gay men can use male restrooms. The lady senator also cited the practice of gender-neutral restrooms, particularly in places such as coffee shops and business process outsourcing firms.

"We need to pass this law in order for people to be more gender sensitive and better understand the different dimensions of gender identity and sexual orientation. Hindi lahat ng bakla ay tinuturing ang kanilang mga sarili na babae o gustong mag-CR sa restroom ng babae,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros is the current chairperson of the Senate committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

People First Over Profits; Prioritize Peoples’ Rights and Demands in ASEAN!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippine CSOs to the ASEAN Economic Community: “People First Over Profits; Prioritize Peoples’ Rights and Demands in ASEAN!” 

On Valentine’s Day, around 100 red-clad members of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum 2017 (ACSC/APF 2017) Philippines National Organizing Committee (NOC), marched to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to deliver the Philippine CSOs’ position and demands on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). 

The NOC, led by its co-conveners Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and PhilWomen on ASEAN, asked that its statement be tackled also at the 31 st meeting of the High Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) the following day. 

A number of the groups that have been engaging DTI on trade and investment issues and free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations are also part of the ACSC/APF 2017 NOC. 

A big Valentine’s card containing the CSOs’ statement was handed over to the Philippine representative to the HLTF-EI, DTI Undersecretary and official-in-charge of trade policies Ceferino Rodolfo who later invited the CSOs to a dialogue in a big meeting room at the Board of Investments. 

“The ACSC/APF 2017 Philippines NOC sees the Philippines Chairship of ASEAN for 2017 as a good opportunity to advance the peoples’ critique of the AEC and the current direction espoused by ASEAN’s economic integration agenda. 

Dive into all that Anime action this February with Animax!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

February, albeit a short month, will be incredibly enjoyable especially for fans of anime and Animax! From comedy, romance to science fiction, Asia’s leading anime channel will bring to audiences an array of popular anime series such as WWW.WORKING!!! , The File of Young Kindaichi R and more!

WWW.WORKING!!

High school freshman Daisuke Higashida is forced to take a part-time job at Wagnaria, a family restaurant chain, due to financial difficulties at home. At first, things were going smoothly for him and his colleagues. But then, he realizes that everyone who works at the restaurant is all but normal!

As Daisuke copes with his unusual working life, it becomes clear that he faces a personal dilemma: How can he continue to work in a restaurant without a single normal person working there?

WWW.WORKING!! airs every Monday & Tuesday at 8pm, with 2 episodes back-to-back, first & exclusively on Animax. 

The File of Young Kindaichi R

The adventures of veteran detective Hajime Kindaichi continue as he solves mysterious gruesome murders, together with childhood friend Miyuke Nanase. For the grandson of a famous detective, he is known to be both lazy and clumsy. However, when he gets involved in a murder case, his real talent shows as he cracks the most mindboggling cases.

Having been gifted with an IQ of 180, Hajime uses his innate skills of deduction and intuition to solve each mystery.

The File of Young Kindaichi R + The File of Young Kindaichi R TV Special premieres on 28 February, and airs every Monday & Tuesday at 8pm, with 2 episodes back-to-back, first & exclusively on Animax.

Scared Rider Xechs

The Blue World is under attack against mysterious invaders known as "Nightfly O'Note", which comes from the Red World. To combat the threat, humans have set up a defense facility called LAG and formed elite combat units to fight the enemy. 

Seventeen-year-old Akira Asagi is nominated to lead the war as she trains and leads six chosen youths that comprise the “Scared Rider Xechs”.

Together, they must unite and fight against these otherworldly aliens in order to protect their planet and humanity.

Scared Rider Xechs premieres on 15 February, and airs from Monday to Friday at 6:30 pm, with 2 episodes back-to-back, first & exclusively on Animax.

First Love Monster

From a wealthy family comes Kaho Nikaido, the 15-year-old daughter of an elderly rich couple, who leaves their home to live in a high school dormitory. While struggling to adjust to her new life, she figures in an accident and is saved by a handsome stranger, Kanade Takahashi. Instantly, Kaho falls in love with Kanade.   

However, little does she know that the object of her affection is only a fifth grader! How will she react when she finds out? Will love be lovelier for Kaho the first time around?

First Love Monster airs every Wednesday & Thursday at 8pm, with 2 episodes back-to-back, first & exclusively on Animax.

Animax is available on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 73, Dream Channel 07, and GSat Channel 24.