Philippines: who you calling "Mongoloid"?

Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a senator and veteran lawmaker in the Philippines..

Photographer: 

 AFP 

"Stop molesting me, you Mongoloids!"

That zinger has forced an apology from a firebrand Philippine senator better known for standing her ground than conceding mistakes. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whose own bio calls her a "dragon lady," was slamming critics who've urge her to leave the senate, according to the Manila-based Inquirer.

The problem is not so much the molestation but the use of "Mongoloid." Her quip has attracted a new cast of detractors: the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines. The Philippines' GMA News and other outlets have reported that the association is castigating Miriam for using "insensitive" language.

Just what is a Mongoloid anyway?

The word derives from "Mongols," the ethnic group that conquered vast stretches of Asia during the 13th century. "Mongoloid" was coined by 19th-century European anthropologists who, in a worldview that now seems crude and outdated, used the term to describe every native ethnic group from Mongolia down to Southeast Asia.

The term took a nasty etymological turn in the 1800s when it was used to describe people with Down's Syndrome. Why? Because British doctor John Langdon Down likened the skin folds common in the eyes of those with Down's Syndrome to the folds common in the eyes of North Asians. (Surprise: English guys born in 1828 were not terribly sensitive.)

Unfortunately, the word is also shorthand for "idiot." Despite her rhetorical gifts, Miriam probably did not have the full, foul baggage of "Mongoloid" in mind when she used the word to trash her political enemies.

That's why she apologized.

In apologizing, Miriam at least managed to show off her excellent taste in books. She told ABS-CBN News that she lifted the casual use of "Mongoloid" from the slovenly, self-aggrandizing lead character Ignatius J. Reilly in the cult classic "Confederacy of Dunces," which earned its author a posthumous Pulitzer Prize in 1981. Though brilliantly composed, Ignatius is probably not the best person to quote on the Philippine senate floor.

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The Attack of the Senator (Mongoloid)

July 12, 2012

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Thursday branded her enemies "mongoloids" and challenged them to a fistfight.

"I tell all my enemies who just want to get of me, stop molesting me, you mongoloids!" Santiago said at a regular forum in the Senate.

She added the recent call for her to step down from the Senate in preparation for her taking up post at the International Criminal Court, was masterminded by the same person who she claimed started a black propaganda against her during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

She also claimed that a person, who she did not identify, was also behind this. Santiago said that this person was the same group who filed a petition calling for the revocation of Santiago's appointment to the ICC, citing her alleged "mental instability."

"Hindi pa nga ako nakaka-upo, papaalisin na ako (I haven't taken the appointement and they want me out already)," Santiago said.

Earlier, Commission on Elections Chairperson Sixto Brillantes asked Santiago to resign so they will be able to determine how many vacancies there will be in the Senate in time for the 2013 elections next year.

Santiago said she is friends with Brillantes but said it is possible that the Comelec commissioner is being pressured by her political enemies.

Santiago added some people are calling for her resignation to give way to senatorial wannabes who have a very low chance of winning.

"Kagagawan ito nang mga taong gustong maging senador pero alanganin sila. Gusto nilang umalis ako ng maaga pa (This is a plot of people who aspire to be senator but know they couldn't. They want me to leave early)… I was one of the top winners of the last elections. They want to pick a winner out to give way to these losers," Santiago said.

Fistfight

"Kung gusto nila suntukan na lang, wala naman akong ginagawang masama a (If they want a fistfight, I'll give them what they want)," she added.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile earlier hinted why Santiago should step down saying that there are issues and treaties that need the decision of 24 senators. He cited the last impeachment trial of Corona wherein there were only 23 senators and it was automatically a vote less in favor of the accused.

However, Santiago said that there will be no problems with only having 23 senators since the Senate needs 2/3 vote to make a decision.

She added there is no legal basis for the request for her to step down in office.

Santiago also reiterated that there is no need for her to resign since she is still waiting for the ICC to call her to duty and that she requested she may still be able to finish her term by 2016.

AFP/ Inquirer