As Bertiz blames his attitude on ‘monthly period,’ celebs fire back
OFW Party-list Rep. Aniceto ‘John’ Bertiz (right) shows an airport screener a security pass after the latter allegedly asked him to take off his shoes. SOCIAL MEDIA SCREENGRAB
One viral video after another has put ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto “John” Bertiz III in the spotlight — particularly that of the court of public opinion.
While in Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Bertiz was caught in a video accosting a screening officer who requested that he remove his shoes at a security checkpoint.
He claimed that the airport staff had some wrongdoing, but he admitted that his actions were “uncalled for for a public official.”
READ: Bertiz apology cites ‘monthly period’: I’m only human
“For the past three years that I’ve been a member of Congress, once a year na medyo dapuan po tayo ng monthly period ay hindi ko na rin po maiaalis na tao lang po, na marupok at umiinit ang ulo, naiistress din sa trabaho,” he said yesterday, Oct. 1.
(For the past three years that I’ve been a member of Congress, once a year I am struck with a monthly period and I can’t remove the fact that I am only human who is weak and can be hot-headed, and gets stressed with work.)
Celebrities and netizens alike refused to have their menstruation associated with Bertiz’s attitude.
“Bilang babae, pag ako may period, kahit sobrang sakit ng cramps, walang choice kundi tiisin at minsan uminom ng painkiller, kasi kailangan pa rin magtrabaho,” said TV host Bianca Gonzalez.
(As a woman, when I have my period, even when my cramps are so painful, I have no choice but to endure it and take painkillers at times, because I need to work.)
Bilang babae, pag ako may period, kahit sobrang sakit ng cramps, walang choice kundi tiisin at minsan uminom ng painkiller, kasi kailangan pa rin magtrabaho.
Ikaw, anong kwento mo pag may monthly period? ♀️
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) October 1, 2018
“Sad apology. Ininsulto pa kaming mga kababaihan (Us women were even insulted). Let’s not liken the ‘monthly period’ to feelings of entitlement by some people in power,” lamented ABS-CBN News broadcaster Karen Davila.
Sad apology. Ininsulto pa kaming mga kababaihan. Lets not liken the “monthly period” to feelings of entitlement by some people in power. https://t.co/gHKXIl8tCB via @rapplerdotcom
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) October 1, 2018
“Men who use pain exclusive to women as an excuse [for] being an asshole is peak kagaguhan (idiocy),” tweeted Cheats singer Saab Magalona.
Men who use pain exclusive to women as an excuse to being an asshole is peak kagaguhan.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) October 1, 2018
And it seems actress Agot Isidro was left baffled when she reacted, “Excuse meeeee???!!!!!!”
Excuse meeeee???!!!!!!
😡😡😡😡😡 https://t.co/SHvj6Wyxte
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) October 1, 2018
Singer Leah Navarro was more scathing in her reaction.
Gimme a break, Bertiz. What a sexist remark. You don’t have an iota of Woman in you. You’re a man who needs to eat a lot of humble pie. https://t.co/qciZKANxOF
— Leah Navarro (@leahnavarro) October 1, 2018
“Gimme a break, Bertiz. What a sexist remark. You don’t have an iota of Woman in you,” she stressed, addressing Bertiz. “You’re a man who needs to eat a lot of humble pie.”
Women’s groups have also slammed his statement. Gabriela Partylist Rep. Emmi de Jesus said that women who menstruate should not be stereotyped as arrogant and entitled.
As Gloria Steinem wrote in her essay “If Men Could Menstruate”, perhaps Bertiz would have a different take on menstruation if he indeed experienced it: “To prevent monthly work loss among the powerful, Congress would fund a National Institute of Dysmenorrhea.” JB
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