Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is being criticized online for his remarks on Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and allegedly making fun of single parents during a hearing.
The 68-year-old actor-politician twitted the Social Welfare secretary for having two daughters out of wedlock.
The senator raise the status of the secretary during her confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.
“On the lighter side, Sen. Drilon and I were looking at the personal information about you and you have 2 children, daughters ba or sons? Two daughters. But you’re single,” Sotto disclosed.
But Taguiwalo responded affirmatively by saying: “My life has never been a normal one. I never had a whole mother-father-children kind of thing, except when I was growing up in Bacolod.”
“My story will be different from the stories of those who have gone through UP, corporation, et cetera,” Taguiwalo said.
Tito Sotto on the other hand who may be reminiscing his noontime show jokes then replied: “In the street language, when you have children and you are single, ang tawag doon ay ‘na-ano lang.'”
A few laughed at the remarks of the senator while the DSWD secretary slightly presses her lips together.
The former University of the Philippines (UP) professor, then told the senator, “Mr. Sotto, I teach Women’s Studies so we respect all kinds of families, and that includes solo parents.”
Meanwhile, the statement of Tito Sotto irate the netizens with some criticizing the senator for his “offensive” remark.
Here are the comment of some netizens:
Kapal mo, Tito Sotto. I hope you apologized to the Sec. https://t.co/lyrS4qre3q
— Ma'amSyj🇵🇠(@MaamSyj) May 3, 2017
Tito Sotto's demeanor against Taguiwalo was intended to gain media coverage. Nothing more. It depicted though his indecency as a senator.
— jed q cepe (@jedqcepe) May 3, 2017
Yung tanungan ni tito sotto kay Judy Taguiwalo, eat bulaga lang?
Sobrang low!!! Eh ano kung solo parent sya with 2 daughters?— Nasser Amparna (@nasseramparna) May 3, 2017
Nakakapag-init ng ulo itong si Tito Sotto. He should apologize to Judy Taguiwalo & TO ALL SOLO PARENTS who are decently raising their kids.
— Albert Canzana (@ChokTheVirgin) May 3, 2017