Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo responded on President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks that women can’t be presidents.
Mateo said that women are as capable as men when it comes to handling leadership posts.
“Well I do respect the President but I completely disagree with this thought. By doing that women are as capable as men in handling a nation,” she said.
She was also asked on what should Filipinos look for in the coming 2022 national elections.
“That shouldn’t be the case, right? We need to have stricter qualifications to vote someone,” Mateo said.
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“And if there’s gonna be one aspect of being a leader that I would like to highlight, that is being honest. Because all the good things will go after that. An honest leader is somebody who is just, who is humane but most importantly he or she is accountable for what is happening in his or her country,” she added.
“So I hope this 2022, Filipinos will be smarter and we will choose the best possible leaders for our country,” Mateo also said.
Duterte said in January that women can’t be presidents due to their emotions.
“This is not for women. You know, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. So… that is the sad story,” he said then.
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Mateo also cited women leaders who have shown excellence in their leadership like New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
“Their female leader was able to nurse a newborn but at the same time she was able to become a mother to her land,” Mateo said.
“We live in an era in which we need to treat men and women equally. We need to give them the same opportunities. 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,” the Iloilo beauty added. (TDT)
