Philippine Senator Faces Backlash Over Husbands’ “Sexual Rights” Comments

Philippine Senator Robin Padilla has sparked outrage online after questioning whether husbands have “sexual rights” over their wives during a parliamentary hearing. The former actor posed the controversial query to human rights lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who was attending a Senate hearing on sexual harassment in the entertainment industry.

Padilla, a popular figure in Philippine cinema who transitioned to politics and led the 2022 senatorial elections, asked what husbands should do if they are “in the mood” and their wives are not. Kapunan responded that husbands should “watch Netflix,” advising that it is not a wife’s obligation to “serve” her husband.

Padilla’s comments were met with widespread criticism on social media, with many denouncing his remarks as “disgusting” and disrespectful. Prominent human rights lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno emphasized that “husbands do not have ‘sexual rights’ over their wives,” advocating for respect and consent in marriages. The incident has also reignited discussions about legalizing divorce in the predominantly Catholic country, where it remains illegal.

Padilla, who is leading a Senate investigation into sexual harassment and abuse in the media industry, is known for his rise to fame in the 1990s and his eventual transition into politics. Despite his popularity, his recent comments have drawn significant public ire, underscoring the ongoing debate around gender rights and marital relations in the Philippines.