Hontiveros said Duterte was "abusive and toxic" to Robredo

Senator Risa Hontiveros supported Vice President Leni Robredo's decision to resign from the cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Photo by GMA Network

Hontiveros said the President was "abusive and toxic" to Robredo and that she was set up to fail ‎with her duty as the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairperson.

"As if by design, she was intended to fail. Worse, as a woman, she was disrespected and objectified on many occasions, by no less than the President himself. Her way of dressing was made object of sexist remarks, she was subjected to inappropriate advances and was even reduced to well-rounded knees,” said Hontiveros.

“Even the manner on how the Vice President was ordered not to attend future Cabinet meetings was intolerably disrespectful of the position she holds. It was cavalier and reeked of machismo. It was meant to denigrate Vice President Robredo one last time. It was meant to show that she is unworthy of the Chief Executive’s time and any serious consideration,” she added.

Robredo announced her resignation on Sunday after receiving a text from Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco telling her that Duterte wanted her to desist from attending cabinet meetings.

"While others were removed for their inadequacies, Vice President Robredo was barred from future cabinet meetings because she dared oppose the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, extra-judicial killings, reimposition of death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, and misogynistic attacks against women. She was punished for doing the right things,” said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros  called the cabinet an "old boys' club" now that Robredo is gone.

SOURCE: Politiko

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