Former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson drew internet attention after reacting to Gabriela Women's Party's proposed bill that seeks to grant employed women a paid two-day menstrual leave every month.
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On March 24, 2023, the senator took to his social-media accounts to write the following (published as is): "Maternity leave, paternity leave and now, menstrual leave - all with pay.
"Next time, a legislative measure will be filed mandating menopause and andropause allowances to increase the testosterone levels of workers."
Within hours, the original post from Twitter garnered over 1.6 million views, with more than 4,000 quote tweets (re-sharing of the tweet with an added comment) from users who gave their two cents on his comment.
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"NO UTERUS, NO COMMENT"
Some responses were calling out the former politician for reacting to a topic that does not directly concern him.
"PROTECTION AND WELFARE"
More comments emphasized that it is solely to protect the physical and mental health of female employees, and not a "mere privilege."
"INSENSITIVE"
A lot of the netizens pointed out the former legislator's "very backward" way of thinking.
On the other hand, some people found themselves resonating with the 74-year-old political figure.
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"DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD"
The extra leaves may result in less opportunities as well as prejudice against women when hiring.
"ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE"
Leaves aim to increase productivity, and have no measurable effect on the profits and long-term survival of companies.
However, having too many women in the work force and too many paid leaves may not be good for "economic pesperctive."
"KAHIT ANO NALANG"
Others expressed that more leaves are bound to happen in the near future once the bill is legislated.
MENSTRUAL LEAVE ACT
Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas filed House Bill 7758, titled the Menstrual Leave Act, on March 22, 2023, Wednesday.
The bill's explanatory note entails: "There is a need to provide women with the flexibility and support they need to manage their reproductive health without the fear of negative consequences such as losing pay, falling behind in work, or facing disciplinary action.
"Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly being sought."
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Rep. Arlene cited Hum Reprod Update to share that between 45 and 95 percent of menstruating women suffer from MRS (menstrual-related symptoms), such as primary dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation.
"MRS patients are also found to have lower scores in several domains of quality of life during their periods, such as general health, physical, mental, social, and occupational functioning.
"According to a survey released by BMJ Open, MRS also causes a great deal of lost productivity, and presenteeism is a bigger contributor to this than absenteeism.
"Women workers would rather go to work despite being in pain than have their wages deducted due to absences," she furthered.
She also noted that Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia, have adopted the menstrual leave legislation to progressive heights, introducing new reproductive rights in the process.
"Last February 16, 2023, Spain became the first European country to provide workers with three-day paid menstrual a month with the option of extending it to five days.
Moreover, she underlined that similar orders have already been carried out in the localities of La Union and Tangalan, Aklan.
Read also: Menstruation Privilege para sa female employees sa La Union
"As many local government units in the Philippines lead the implementation of such pro-women legislation, the national government must also pass a law to institutionalize menstrual leave with one hundred percent daily remuneration to all female employees in the private and public sectors."
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