Gabriela hits Sotto over remarks on single mom Taguiwalo, demands public apology

Gabriela Party-list on Wednesday scored Sen. Tito Sotto over his remarks on Social Welfare Sec. Judy Taguiwalo being a solo parent.

The party-list, represented in the House by Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, is demanding an apology from the senator, who joked about Taguiwalo being a single mother during the Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing on Wednesday.

In a statement, they said they take “much offense” in Sotto’s remarks, in behalf of solo parents and women “raising their children amid difficult circumstances.”

“The senator clearly went out of bounds, insinuating malice at Taguiwalo who raised her two children as a solo parent, dubbing such as ‘na-ano,’” they said.

“Solo parents, including the DSWD secretary, should in no way be at the receiving end of such insults. We demand a public apology from the senator,” they added.

The party-list, which supports Taguiwalo’s confirmation as Cabinet secretary, lauded her “for standing her ground amid insults.”

During the CA confirmation hearing, Sotto asked Taguiwalo whether she was single, after seeing in her personal information sheet that she has two kids. 

Taguiwalo explained that her life “has never been a normal one,” given detention and her involvement in underground life.

Sotto then said that “in the street language, when you have children and you are single, ang tawag lang ay na-ano lang."

A brief laughter was heard in the room after Sotto made the remark.

"Thank you, you have my 100 percent support, Madam Secretary," Sotto said.

Taguiwalo then told Sotto: "Senator Sotto, I teach women's studies in UP so we respect all kinds of families, and that includes solo parents. Thank you." —KG, GMA News