Did Sen. Tito Sotto blame woman victimized by drinking buddies?

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Tito Sotto’s remark during the July 9-episode of Eat Bulaga has put the actor-politician in hot water after its video went viral on social media.

Did Sen. Tito Sotto blame woman victimized by drinking buddies?
Screenshot from Youtube video.
Netizens have accused the 67-year-old lawmaker of victim blaming and shaming after he made a controversial comment on a woman taken advantage by her drinking buddy. The woman, who was being interviewed by co-hosts Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo during the Juan for All, All for Juan segment of the noontime show, revealed she was sexually abused while drinking with a male friend.

Instead of sympathizing with the victim, Sotto pointed out that the woman should be blamed for drinking more than she could handle.

“Kasalanan ng lahat ng iyan, yung pag inom. Yung pa-shot shot. Kababae mong tao, pa shot-shot ka?” Sotto commented.

(It’s all because of drinking, taking shots. You’re a woman and you take shots.)

After Sotto’s comment drew laughs from the audience, Manalo then asked the woman if she was wearing shorts during the drinking session. Sotto then expressed his disapproval after hearing the woman’s confession that she was indeed wearing shorts during the incident.

The senator, who became a trending topic on social media for his alleged plagiarized speech about the RH bill, once again became subject to scrutiny of netizens because of his controversial remark.

Here are some of the negative reactions of netizens on Sotto’s comment.






In 2015, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) condemned acts of sexual violence and victim blaming after a photo a young woman surrounded by men in a party in Marikina City went viral on Facebook.

The photo drew comments from netizens suggesting that the woman “deserved it” because was wearing a “provocative” clothing and likes to party and drink.

In a press statement, the CHR said: “Such acts of violence can never be justified by a woman’s alleged drunkenness, her behavior, the places she frequents, and her manner of dress. Violence is violence, sexual abuse is sexual abuse. Rape is rape.”

"Victim-blaming not only trivializes and normalizes violence against women, it encourages rape culture and adversely affects women’s access to justice," the CHR added.

--Mini, The Summit Express



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