Members of the Makabayan bloc strongly criticized lawyer Ferdinand Topacio for his remarks directed at Gabriela Party-list’s Sarah Elago and actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, calling them proof of what they described as the “rotten, woman-hating core” of the Duterte camp’s “apologist culture.”
In a statement, the lawmakers said Topacio’s comments reflect the political environment associated with former president Rodrigo Duterte, whom they noted is currently detained at The Hague facing charges of crimes against humanity.
“Hindi ito kataka-taka. Ito ang tunay na mukha ng DDS. Topacio has long served as one of the most vocal defenders of the Duterte camp — the same camp whose patriarch now sits detained at The Hague facing charges of crimes against humanity,” the group said.
The bloc pointed to Duterte’s history of controversial remarks about women, including rape jokes and attacks on female critics, as part of a broader culture of misogyny.
Topacio’s comments came after Jasmine Curtis-Smith defended her sister, actress Anne Curtis, from what critics described as an “objectifying” remark made by Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay. Instead of addressing the criticism, Topacio reportedly mocked Jasmine’s social media posts.
“Rather than address the substance of the criticism—that it is wrong to use a woman as a prop in an analogy to defend an accused murderer’s ally—Topacio went straight for the gutter. He pointed to Jasmine’s social media posts and asked, ‘Ikaw, Jasmine, bakit ka nagpo-post ng mga bikini pictures mo? Hindi ba para ikaw ay pagnasahan?’” the group said.
According to Makabayan lawmakers, Topacio used his radio program to “slut-shame, demean, and intimidate” women who spoke out.
“This is not commentary. This is harassment. This is abuse dressed up in a suit and a law degree,” they said.
“This is victim-blaming. This is the logic of rape culture—that a woman’s appearance, choices, and body are open invitations for objectification, and that she forfeits her right to dignity and to speak the moment she dares to be visible. It is the same rancid logic used by abusers and their enablers for centuries to silence women. And it is completely, utterly unacceptable.”
The bloc urged the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to investigate Topacio’s conduct, called on DWIZ management to review his program, and asked the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality to take cognizance of the issue.
The Makabayan bloc is composed of Sarah Elago, Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers Party-list, and Renee Co of Kabataan Party-list.