Toni Fowler asserts amid cybercrime suit: ‘May kalayaan akong ariin ang aking sarili’

Toni Fowler. Image: Instagram/@tonifowlerpo

Toni Fowler said she is ready to face the criminal case filed against her by the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI), and stressed that the group has no right to forbid her from expressing her sexuality through her contents.

The social media advocacy group has accused Fowler of violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

KSMBPI claimed that Fowler’s actions of exhibiting lewd clothes and sex toys, as well as simulating sexual acts with the use of sexually explicit words in her videos pointed to being “patently offensive” under the law.

The actress-vlogger responded to the supposed “lies” peddled by the group, as per a statement released on her Facebook page on Friday, Sept. 29. Fowler pointed out that the music video of her song “MPL” only features sex toys, as opposed to KSMBPI’s claim that it shows actual reproductive organs.

“Gaya ng kalayaan ninyong tawagin akong bastos, malaswa, at hindi magandang halimbawa tulad ng aking kanta, may kalayaan din akong ariin ang aking sarili,” she said.

(While you have the freedom to call me salacious, obscene and a bad example because of my song, I also have the freedom to own myself.)

“Kasama dito ang pag-aari ko sa aking katawan, sa aking pagkababae, at higit sa lahat ang pag-aari ko sa nais kong gawin, sabihin, kantahin, o sayawin dahil hindi nito binabawasan o inaapakan ang karapatan ng ibang tao,” she continued. “Hindi ninyo pag-aari ang mga ito.”

(This includes owning my body and my femininity, especially what I want to do, say, sing and dance, as long as it does not harm other people. You have no right over all this.)

Fowler underscored that she did not force anyone into watching her contents, further noting that having sexual desire and engaging in sexual intercourse are “part of being human.”

“Wala kayong puwang para sabihan at pagbawalan ako. Hindi ninyo lugar ang pagbawalan ang mga babaeng gaya ko—gaya ng pagbabawal ninyo sa aming kilos, pananamit, pati na rin sa pakikipag-usap,” she stated. “Hindi kayo ang karapat-dapat na manguna sa pagpuna lalo na sa mga usaping sexual naming kababaihan dahil unang-una, hindi ito bawal at hindi kayo babae.”

(You don’t have the right to forbid me and tell me what to do. You’re not in the position to forbid women like me—just like how you aim to rule over our actions, the way we dress and talk. You do not have the right to criticize matters regarding women’s sexuality because first of all, such is not prohibited; also, you are not a woman.)

The “Batang Quiapo” actress also clarified that no one from the music video cast drank alcoholic drinks while filming, and that the liquors they consumed were actually juice. Fowler stressed as well that minors were not involved in doing the sexual scenes in the “MPL” video.

“Gusto kong sabihin sa inyo na matapang kong haharapin ang mga kasong inihain ninyo laban sa akin dahil kahit na ano pa ang itawag ninyo sa akin, taas noo ko itong haharapin at sasabihing ako’y tahimik lang sa umpisa, pero marunong akong lumaban kahit di ninyo ako pilitin,” Fowler concluded her statement, making a reference to a line from “MPL.”

(I want you to know that I will bravely face the case you filed against me because whatever names you call me, I can proudly say that I’m just quiet at first but I know how to fight even if you do not force me to.) /ra