ILOILO City – Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) Rabiya Mateo disputed the remark that the presidency is not a job for women, saying it “deflates” the country’s fight for gender equality.
The discussions escalated when President Rodrigo Duterte earlier made a comment that women could no way run a country following talks that his daughter, Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is hitting the 2022 presidency poll.
“This is not for a woman,” Duterte said on Thursday. “You know, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. It will drive you nuts. This is the sad story.”
Yesterday, the Ilongga beauty queen sat down with beauty pageant blog Missosology and had a question and answer challenge.
One of the questions came from a netizen with the username Markyanpol. It said, “President Duterte recently made a remark that the presidency was no job for a woman because their emotional differences to men. What are your thoughts on this?”
While she respects the President, Mateo said she completely disagrees with what he said.
“Women are as capable as men in handling a nation. I am a woman and I believe that my emotions do make part in my leadership skills and I have so much heart, I have so much calling in being a leader actually. I do disagree with this thought. I can lead the country because I have the power to do so,” the reigning MUP said.
She also cited the Philippines had already two female leaders. There is also New Zealand, she added, in which their female leader was able to “nurse a newborn at the same time become a mother to all.”
Mateo said there should be equal treatment and opportunity for both men and women while living in this era.
“I won’t agree with something like this because I know my capabilities and strengths as a woman. And I know I can make a difference, so much difference,” she said.
“We need female leaders, leaders who will put their emotions into making decisions. Because it’s not all about the experience, sometimes you really need to put your emotions and be the mother if your country,” she added.
While there are others who disagree with Mateo’s opinion, many netizens praised the Balasan, Iloilo native for speaking her mind.
For one, netizen Miguel Jay Laviga Frangolin commented on Panay News Facebook post about Mateo’s remark.
“Respect for you Rabiya. We need this kind of strength to speak for the truth,” he wrote.
Netizen Justin Joshua Salcedo Saraza, meanwhile, expressed his admiration to the beauty queen.
“A true believer of the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago! Smart and eloquent as always! Never sorry in speaking your mind just like MDS. Rabiya Mateo is indeed The Red Dawn of Iloilo,” he commented./PN
