Gabriela to Villar: Stop using scantily clad dancers in NP sorties

A women’s group on Monday challenged Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. to adhere to his advocacy in his campaign ads that he will protect the welfare of women by refraining from using scantily clad Kembot Girls in his rallies. In a press statement, Gabriela expressed dismay over the display of dancers wearing skimpy clothes for audience entertainment in the campaign rallies of NP, which includes in its senatorial slate their party-list Rep. Liza Maza. Maza had earlier called the attention of NP officials to the use of Kembot Girls in NP sorties. [See: Maza to 'Kembot Girls': Wear appropriate clothes] “The message of NP’s TV ad aptly describes how strong women power is in its ticket. Thus, it is disheartening to know that instead of going along the line of women’s empowerment, NP sorties resorted to scantily-clad women dancers to attract more audience," said Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela vice chairperson. The group asked the organizers of NP’s political rallies to give due respect to the women candidates of NP, as well as all the women voters, by refraining from using women in a demeaning manner in order to attract a big audience. “As Sen. Villar himself said, suportahan natin sila," stated De Jesus. She added: “Surely, NP is confident of its political platform. It should win over voters with its agenda, such as employment and social services that are much needed by women, not with scantily-clad dancers." One of Villar’s television ads shows the presidential candidate with various women leaders proclaiming his support for women’s causes. Gabriela expressed dismay that despite the appeal of NP’s female senatorial bets, the dancers wearing skimpy outfits have remained part of the entertainment numbers of television host Willie Revillame during the sorties. The group also criticized Revillame and his company, which hired the ‘Kembot Girls,’ for using women in a demeaning manner for gimmicks. “We understand that a campaign sortie needs some elements of entertainment to keep the attention of its audience. Using scantily-clad, gyrating dancers to attract audience is not entertainment, but a commodification of women. And NP, by hiring such gimmickry in its sorties, is not empowering women as it claims to be," said De Jesus. – Amita Legaspi/YA, GMANews.TV