Mayor urges media accountability after rape remark

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya has called on all sectors, especially media practitioners and broadcast management, to exercise utmost responsibility in their public communications following a local radio anchorman’s recent rape remark to a female reporter during a live broadcast that sparked online backlash.

In a statement released Friday, Gasataya stressed that a recent broadcast that treated sexual assault as a matter of humor was a failure of empathy and a betrayal of civic trust.

“The trauma of sexual violence must never be reduced to a punchline,” he said, adding that turning a serious discussion about the abuse of a minor into a joke about rape exposes a cultural blind spot that must be addressed beyond a statement of regret.

Gasataya said he personally communicated with the network’s management, which has since compelled the broadcaster to apologize publicly, issued a notice to explain, and, following its evaluation, placed him under preventive suspension.

As a former broadcaster, Gasataya said he knows the weight their words carry.

He said media platforms wield significant influence and therefore must uphold the highest levels of responsibility, sensitivity, and respect.

A public audience is a privilege, and it comes with a duty to uplift, not tear down, the mayor added.

Gasataya noted that using such privilege in a way that demeans women is a step backward in the fight for a safe and equitable society and callously reopens the healing wounds of those recovering from traumatic violence.

Securing safe spaces for women transcends moral aspiration, he said, citing the Safe Spaces Act and the city’s own Bawal Bastos Ordinance.

This protection must extend from the streets into digital spaces and the media landscape, he said.

He said they are in solidarity with city officials in strongly condemning any statement, act, or public expression that normalizes, justifies, or makes light of rape and violence against women.

He said the city government stands firmly behind women and remains ready to provide assistance to anyone seeking support.

“Bacolod City is and shall remain an environment where every woman is valued, respected, and ensured unconditional safety,” he said.

The Safe Spaces Act, or Republic Act 11313, prohibits gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online spaces, workplaces, and educational or training institutions.

During the Wednesday broadcast, Jean Paul Generoso of K5 News FM Bacolod was speaking with a female field reporter who was covering a child abuse case.

As the reporter explained that the suspect was already in police custody, Generoso interrupted and joked that he also wanted to go to jail.

He then repeatedly asked the reporter on air if he could rape her so he could also be imprisoned.

Hours after the program, Generoso apologized for his remark and acknowledged his mistake.