Vice Ganda apologizes to Jessica over jokes

MANILA, Philippines - Facing criticism particularly from women’s groups, TV comedian Vice Ganda publicly apologized yesterday to broadcast journalist Jessica Soho over his gang rape jokes.

Vice Ganda issued the apology on the noontime show “It’s Showtime” for his rape jokes that earned him flak from the public and on social media.

Ganda said he was summoned to a meeting with top executives of ABS-CBN where he told them of his plan to apologize to Soho.

He said he called up Soho and introduced himself. Soho took the call but declined a follow-up chat.

When he asked if he could call her later, Soho reportedly said, “I don’t think so.”

“I felt she was still hurt and angry. She was not yet ready to forgive me so I was not able to say what I wanted to tell her… so it’s only now that I will make public my apology so that it may reach you,” Vice Ganda said in Filipino.

Vice Ganda, a former standup comedian, faced a deluge of attacks after he joked about Soho being gang raped.

During a segment of his recent concert, Vice Ganda said Soho would look preposterous in sexy roles.

He said Soho would debut in a movie that could have the title focusing on her weight and physique.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said the jokes made by Vice Ganda reflect a deeper problem of how Philippine society views rape and violence inflicted on women and children.

Ilagan warned Vice Ganda about making nasty jokes about women.

She said rape is among the worst forms of violence against women.

“It should not be trivialized nor should it be a subject of jokes. Rape is a subject that should be treated with utmost sensitivity. The trauma that victims and their families undergo is immeasurable,” Ilagan said.

“We caution Vice Ganda and everyone in the media to be more sensitive and responsible in making such jokes and statements,” she said.

Ilagan urged media personalities to make good use of their reach and influence to raise people’s consciousness and “be instruments in the fight to end all forms of violence against women.”