MANILA – Rep. John Bertiz (ACTS-OFW party-list) apologized for using the term “monthly period” in justifying his actions toward the security personnel of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a cable news channel show, Bertiz admitted that his remark was “stupid” and got used to it during arguments with his wife.
“Naging dialogue ko na lang iyon sa wife ko ’pag may topak: ‘monthly period ba ngayon?’” the congressman told CNN Philippines’ “The Source” Tuesday. “I know that was very stupid, classic question na kinapture. Sa mga hanay ng kababaihan, isa pa iyon na humihingi ako ng tawad.”
Women groups slammed Bertiz for attributing to his “monthly period” his bad behavior when he confronted an Office of Transportation officer and refused to remove his shoes at the airport’s final screening area.
“I’m very sorry for my actions. It’s really uncalled for as a public official. My actions at the airport were totally uncalled for,” Bertiz told a press briefing at the House of the Representatives on Monday.
“For the past three years that I’ve been a member of Congress, once a year na medyo dapuan tayo ng monthly period. ’Di ko na rin po maiaalis na tao lang po, na marupok at umiinit ang ulo – naii-stress din sa trabaho,” he added.
Prior to his NAIA gaffe, the solon also came under fire last week for saying in a public speech that those who do not know Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go would not get their Professional Regulation Commission license.
A video on social media also showed Bertiz figuring in a shouting match with a migrant group leader in Hong Kong earlier this year./PN
