Statement of Gabriela on Sen. Sotto's line of questioning to DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo pic.twitter.com/11dnuBNtt4

— Gabriela WomensParty (@GabrielaWomenPL) May 3, 2017

MANILA - A women’s rights group on Wednesday decried Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III's comments on Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo's status as a solo parent, demanding a public apology from the lawmaker.

In a statement, Gabriela Women's Party said Sotto "went out of bounds" in pointing out that the cabinet appointee had children out of wedlock.

"The senator clearly went out of bounds, insinuating malice at Taguiwalo who raised her two children as a solo parent, dubbing such as "na-ano"," Gabriela said in a statement.

"Solo parents, including the DSWD secretary, should in no way be at the receiving end of such insults. We demand a public apology from the senator," the group said.

Gabriela commended Taguiwalo for "standing her ground" amid Sotto's "insults."

"She is an inspiration to marginalized women and is more than deserving of a confirmation from the CA (Commission on Appointments)," Gabriela said.

Sotto on Wednesday brought up Taguiwalo's status during her confirmation hearing, even citing how she is described "in street language": "...[W]hen you have children and you are single, ang tawag doon ay 'na-ano lang.'"

• READ: 'Na-ano lang': Sotto twits Taguiwalo for having children out of wedlock