Abstract:
The 2022 Philippine National Elections became a pivotal moment for the country’s
history as two prominent women politicians, Leni Robredo and Sara Duterte, competed for the
two highest positions in the Philippine government— president and vice president, respectively.
The former lost while the latter won but both by huge margins. Amidst the number of feminist
studies in the Philippines, a notable gap existed in exploring the double standards of feminism
and the double bind within the context of electoral campaigns and outcomes. This study
employed a Feminist Discourse Critical Analysis (FCDA) methodology, utilizing data from
in-depth interviews with 20 women participants, evenly split between Sara Duterte and Leni
Robredo voters, with the objective to investigate the enduring implications of the double bind
and double standards of feminism within the political sphere. Findings revealed that despite the
apparent advancements in women’s political participation, both candidates were perceived as
navigating a complex double bind, either downplaying their womanhood or strategically
wielding their motherhood. This highlighted the intricate difficulties women encounter as they
navigate societal expectations within the realm of political discourse. The study also suggested a
concerning trend wherein women politicians may continue to grapple with the double bind and
patriarchal standards in shaping their political strategies. As more women enter the political
arena, understanding and dismantling these barriers will be crucial for fostering genuine gender
equity and dismantling entrenched patriarchal norms in political campaigns and outcomes.
