Press Release
May 25, 2015

Statement of Senator Pia S. Cayetano
Chairperson
Senate Committee on Women, Family Relations and Gender Equality

"I was shocked and dismayed to see the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) front page prominently displaying a photo of a woman in a bikini that is clearly meant to be provocative.

"I join the Philippine Commission on Women and other women's advocates in expressing my strong sentiments against this portrayal of a woman. There are many ways to show off a woman's body in terms of fitness, health and beauty, but to use a photo in a manner that is sexual in orientation, is a degradation and commodification of women.

"Just last May 11, PDI claimed that it is the top choice of 52.7% of [class] ABC newspaper readers. With such high readership, it has the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of journalism, including gender sensitivity. As a major daily, PDI has, over the years been a strong supporter of women's issues. I trust the PDI editors will rectify this error."

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