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GENDER equality ang giit ng isang senador sa mungkahing idamay ang mga kababaihang estudyante sa isinusulong na mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa kolehiyo.
Gayunpaman kinuwestyon ni Senador Chiz Escudero si Retired General at ngayo’y Senador Ronald Dela Rosa sa panukalang isama ang mga kolehiyala sa military training program na kalakip ng ROTC bill na isinusulong sa dating Philippine National Police chief.
Ayon kay Escudero, hindi naman aniya kasali noon ang mga babaeng estudyante sa kolehiyo sa ROTC program ng mga paaralan.
“Hindi ni-require yan sa babae. Ang dahilan ba ay mas maliit ang tingin ng gobyerno, ng Kongreso, ng pamahalaan noon sa mga babae, hindi kakayanin ang ROTC training? What is the reason for the distinction at that time na bakit noon hindi isinasabay ang babae under the National Defense Act, under Republic Act 7077 but now there is a push to include them already? What is the difference and what changed, Mr. President?” patutsada ni Escudero.
Sagot ni dela Rosa – hindi pa kasi aniya uso noon ang gender equality.
“During the time yung old ROTC law was enacted, hindi pa po uso ang gender equality. Ngayon po, our women are always espousing for gender equality so why give them the opportunity to serve their country, to fight for this country if needed,” paliwanag ni Dela Rosa.
Pag-amin ni Dela Rosa, ayaw din niyang mahirapan ang kanyang mga anak, pero mas higit di umano kailangan ihanda sila para makatulong sa pagtatanggol ng bansa sa hinaharap.
“Siguro ang reason as I’ve said hindi popular yung gender equality during that time. Right now, gender equality is the norm of the day. Yan palagi ang sinasabi ng ating mga kababaihan so let’s give them the benefit of serving this country,” diin ni Dela Rosa.
Hindi naman pinalusot ni Escudero ang aniya’y paggamit ng gender equality para palusutin ang panukalang akda – bagay na sigabot naman ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri na kasama sa programa ang LGBTQ.
“Sexes discriminated upon would like equality with respect to the things and opportunities that they like,” giit ni Escudero.
“There is even no data that says women like that. There is even no data that says that women should be equal and at par with men with respect to being required to undergo ROTC—that may be the justification when you say you’re including women. But have you heard from women themselves if they indeed want it or not?” paliwanag pa ng mambabatas.
