Senator Jinggoy Estrada is facing criticism after asking a personal question to Gilas Pilipinas Women naturalization prospect Elizabeth Means during a Senate hearing.
The remark was made during a session of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights tackling naturalization proposals for several athletes seeking to represent the Philippines in international competitions.
During the exchange, Estrada asked Means if she had a Filipino boyfriend and joked that fellow lawmaker Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan could “apply,” drawing backlash from netizens who questioned the appropriateness of the comment during a formal legislative proceeding.
The hearing was primarily focused on the naturalization of athletes including Bennie Boatwright and Maodo Malick Diouf for Gilas Pilipinas, as well as Means for Gilas Pilipinas Women and wrestler Matthew James Ramos.
Means, a 6-foot forward who played collegiate basketball at Westminster University in the United States, is seeking Philippine citizenship through legislative naturalization and has expressed her desire to represent the country in international competitions.
The incident quickly circulated on social media, with some users criticizing the senator’s comment as inappropriate for an official hearing discussing citizenship and national representation
The controversy comes days after another lawmaker, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay, also faced backlash for remarks involving actress Anne Curtis during a House Committee on Justice session.
Suntay’s comments, in which he described imagining a scenario involving the actress, were widely condemned by lawmakers, public officials, and media personalities.
The separate incidents have sparked renewed discussion online about the conduct of public officials and the importance of maintaining professionalism during legislative proceedings.
Meanwhile, deliberations on the naturalization bills for Means and the other athletes continue in Congress as lawmakers consider their eligibility to represent the Philippines internationally. (By the staff)
The post Nireto kay Kiko! Jinggoy Estrada slammed for asking Gilas Women prospect if she has Filipino boyfriend first appeared on Fastbreak.
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