Official Statement of Gabriela Women's Party Chairperson Rep. ...

Gabriela Women's Party has communicated with Rep. Luz Ilagan, the organizing committee of FORWARD Women and our local chapters in Mindanao to clarify any misunderstanding on our position regarding the issue of womanizing and we have resolved to correct statements issued at Mindanao Women Leaders Forum in Davao City. As the national chairperson of Gabriela Women's Party I would like to reiterate our position that we are against womanizing and view this as an affront on women and women's rights. -Rep. Emmi A. De Jesus

Posted by Gabriela Women's Party on Sunday, 28 February 2016

MANILA - A party-list group dedicated to upholding women's rights has talked to its own congressional representative following her statement that voters should look past the womanizing ways of presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

In a Facebook video, Gabriela Rep. and Chairperson Emmi A. De Jesus said Gabriela Women's Party "has communicated with Rep. Luz Ilagan, the organizing committee of FORWARD Women and our local chapters in Mindanao to clarify any misunderstanding on our position regarding the issue of womanizing and we have resolved to correct statements issued at Mindanao Women Leaders Forum in Davao City."

"As the national chairperson of Gabriela Women's Party I would like to reiterate our position that we are against womanizing and view this as an affront on women and women's rights," she added.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan earlier said criticisms on Duterte's philandering ways are mainly caused by media hype.

WATCH: Gabriela to voters: Look past Duterte's 'womanizer' image

"Womanizing, kissing: most of that is media hype. .. Even if he says that I am a womanizer, may mga girlfriend, remember that the mayor is already separated. His marriage has been annulled," Ilagan said.

She said controversies will naturally crop up against Duterte as he vies for the country's highest electoral post. However, she said voters should also focus on Duterte's achievements and abilities.

"I personally even say that look beyond the words, look beyond the actions. Focus on what he has done, what he can do, what he is still doing that will benefit our people," Ilagan said.

Gabriela earlier criticized Duterte for "womanizing and treating women as objects."

Ilagan said their comments against Duterte were "principled criticisms" that the mayor has acknowledged.

Ilagan is running for councilor of Davao City's third district under a local political party.

Duterte earlier acknowledged that he has had several girlfriends but only after his marriage to his first wife was annulled.

"E kung hiwalay ka sa asawa anong gawin mo sa sarili mo?" he said during the first presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Anong gagawin ko itong karga-karga ko? Hindi ko naman ipagbili ito. Hindi mo naman isangla e. Gamitin mo dapat e baka mamatay ka."

WATCH: Duterte greets women with 'kissing spree'

WATCH: Duterte on girlfriends: Anong gagawin ko sa karga-karga ko?