Senatorial candidate highlights increasing HIV cases in Philippines

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party senatorial candidate Risa Hontiveros is pushing for a collective effort against the continuous increase of HIV-AIDS cases in the country, especially in highly-urbanized cities like Cebu City.

Hontiveros, former representative of the Akbayan Partylist and one of the authors of the controversial Reproductive Health Law, said the Philippines is the only country in the ASEAN where HIV-AIDS cases continue to increase.

“Among the ASEAN countries yung Pilipinas na lang na tumaas yung HIV-AIDS cases,” said Hontiveros in a presscon yesterday here in Cebu.

Hontiveros said that in other ASEAN countries, HIV-AIDS cases are decreasing and some are in plateau level.  Hontiveros said to prevent the disease, one must practice the “ABC” or Abstinence, Be faithful or monogamous and use a Condom.

Hontiveros also said that the use of illegal drugs via injection also contributes to the rising HIV-AIDS cases.

Rights of women

In a separate statement, Hontiveros challenges politicians to end the objectification of women and children in the electoral campaign trail. 

Hontiveros said that the objectification of women as sexualized objects in campaign sorties is a form of violence and a cheap way of communicating with voters.

Hontiveros said that this manner of campaigning reinforces the “abuse of women in the household.”

“As we conduct our respective campaigns nationwide, women should be regarded as partners in development rather than objects to be used as mere campaign tools,” she added.

According to data, one in five Filipinas have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.  Addressing this problem, Hontiveros said that “politicians must set a good example.”

 “Candidates must use their position of privilege of communicating with the voters the idea that women are partners in development,” Hontiveros said.  (FREEMAN)