Bacolod Councilor Celia Flor on Wednesday, May 20, condemned a local radio anchorman who told a female reporter on-air that he would rape her so he could “go to jail” alongside a father who had recently beaten his child at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
The anchorman repeatedly used the word “rape” as a joke, which was accompanied by the sound of laughter on the broadcast.
Flor, chairperson of the Committee on Women, Gender, Family, and Childcare of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod, said “rape is not a joke.”
“I condemn any statement that normalizes rape, harassment of women, and other forms of gender-based sexual harassment, regardless of its context or intent,” Flor said in a statement posted on her Facebook page.
She said the statement “I will rape you so I can go to jail” has no place in responsible public discourse, especially in the media and radio, which hold immense influence over the public.
Flor reminded the public that Bacolod City enforces a “Bawal Bastos Ordinance,” which implements the national Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313) at the local level. This ordinance explicitly states that harmful words, threats, and statements denigrating human dignity contribute to a culture of neglect and tolerance for abuse, she said.
“We call on everyone, especially members of the media, to be responsible for their statements and help facilitate a community that protects and respects women and children,” Flor added.
“Rape and any other form of abuse should not be made into a joke — whether on the radio or anywhere else,” she added.
GABRIELA CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
The Gabriela Women’s Party also joined the condemnation, slamming the anchorman for repeatedly asking a female journalist if he could “rape” her.
“What is even more outrageous is that this happened while discussing a sensitive issue of abuse. Instead of showing respect and sensitivity to the victims, this was used as an opportunity to make fun of them, which only further normalizes rape,” the group said in a statement.
“In a time of increasing cases of violence against women and youth, everyone’s stance must be clear: rape is not a joke. It should not be made into a joke, content, or a gimmick for attention,” Gabriela added, calling for immediate accountability and action to ensure such behavior is barred from media spaces.
ANCHORMAN ISSUES APOLOGY
Following the backlash, Jean Paul C. Generoso, host of 11MBPS, issued an official apology via the K5 News FM Bacolod social media page for the “inappropriate statement” made during Wednesday’s live broadcast.
“During our discussion regarding the reported incident of a father physically abusing his minor daughter in public, I carelessly made an on-air joke referencing ‘rape’,” Generoso said.
“While it was never my intention to mock or trivialize the suffering of victims, I now fully realize that using this term in a humorous context, especially on live radio, was deeply insensitive, irresponsible, and entirely unacceptable.”
Taking full responsibility for the lapse in judgment, Generoso acknowledged that rape is a heinous crime causing profound, lasting trauma.
“To all women, and particularly those who have experienced abuse and sexual violence, I offer my deepest apologies for this careless remark,” he said, adding a plea to Bacolod public officials for understanding as he works to regain their trust.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of my duty to remain responsible, disciplined, and empathetic when leading public discussions on air,” Generoso said.
He thanked the community for holding him accountable, stating, “I accept this criticism with genuine humility, and I am fully committed to learning from this error, undergoing necessary self-reflection, and ensuring I do better moving forward.”
NPC, NUJP REACT
The Negros Press Club (NPC), in a statement issued Wednesday evening, said “it stands for inclusivity, women’s rights, and respect—values that define responsible journalism and public service”.
In light of the recent incident involving a member of the club, the NPC said it condemns all acts of abuse, disrespect, and irresponsible broadcasting.
“Such conduct has no place in our profession or in our organization,” it said.
The NPC reminds all its members of their duty to exercise prudence, uphold respect, and practice responsible journalism at all times, the statement said.
“We join the community in stating with conviction: rape is not a joke. It is a crime, and treating it as humor undermines survivors, erodes public trust, and violates the very purpose of the press,” it added.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) also issued a statement condemning what it called a “sexual harassment incident involving a Bacolod-based anchor for making an inappropriate rape joke toward a female reporter who was simply doing her job and reporting the news”.
“We note with concern the statement posted by the anchor ‘apologizing’ for his behavior but without any mention of how he harassed the female radio reporter,” the NUJP said.*
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