Filipino MP's comment on 'sexual rights' of husbands, sparks outrage

A senator in the Philippineshas comeunder fire after he asked about husbands' “sexual rights” in the country's parliament. Robin Padilla, formerly an actor, asked the question to a prominent human rights lawyer, who was invited as a specialist to a hearing on sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. The lawmaker's comments have since sparked outrage on social media.

Padillaasked, what a husband should do if they are “in the mood” and the wives are not, to which he got a reply from Lorna Kapunan,a prominent human rights lawyer, that they can "watch Netflix".

Padilla is one of the most popular celebrities in the country, ran for office in 2022 and became the country’s top senatorial candidate. He is also leading an investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse in the media industry and made these comments in a hearing on Thursday (Aug 15).

During the hearing, Padillaasked Kapunan if a husband could ask his wife to make love if he is in the mood and she's not. He said, "What if your wife does not want to? Is there no other way for husbands? If you look at other women, you might get sued."

In response to the senator's questions, Kapunan said in such situations, husbands should either “seek counselling, pray or watch Netflix.”

The actor-turned-lawmaker then said that according to some husbands, their wives are to serve them to which the human rights lawyer respondedthat it is "not the wife's obligation to serve her husband".

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Padilla's comments have since led toa barrage of comments on social mediawith one calling him “disgusting”.

After this incident, a prominent human rights lawyer, Jose Manuel Diokno took toX (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Husbands do not have 'sexual rights' over their wives. Women have equal rights and free will. No means no. It's all about respect.”

Another X user said, his comments should be the reason that thePhilippines shouldlegalise divorce.

Notably, the Philippines is the only country after the Vatican, where divorce is considered illegal.

(With inputs from agencies)