Ana Jara Asks Marco Tulio To Apologize For Sexist Remark, Tulio Replies It Was A Joke

Nothing like a major political crisis to bring out the worst of you.

Right-wing lawyer Marco Tulio made an unfortunate comment when the mayor of Lima, socialist Susana Villaran, decided that she would not take part in the debate set for March 10, in which her staying as leader of the Peruvian capital will be discussed: "You know, ladies always say no and then it means yes," Tulio said in a press conference.

The sexist comment sparked the rage of the left-wing, particularly of Minister for Women Ana Jara, who stated that "not only as a politician, but as a woman, I cannot keep quiet about that despicable remark, which does nothing but justify rapists."

Jara added that someone who says anything like that must be highly "unhappy and sexist," and demanded an apology from the lawyer. Tulio did not comply, but just said that it was a "joke."

The quarrel, which has set Peruvian media on fire, happened in the midst of one of the worst political crisis of the last years in Lima. Mayor Susana Villaran is facing being recalled from City Hall, under allegations of poor politics and mismanagement of the city funds.

Villaran stepped up as mayor of Lima in Oct. 2010, as the first woman ever to fill the position. She focused her agenda on three fronts: education, transportation and security. Villaran started a strong campaign to fight domestic violence, and announced plans to reform Lima's chaotic and overburdened public transportation system.

She started gaining unpopularity when her administration revealed they were planning to raise taxes to fund the transportation reform, which would also clean up the roads of unofficial bus lines and therefore taking away informal jobs. Her biggest faux pas was when she relocated the merchants of informal marketplace La Parada to a new wholesale emplacement, which sparked a revolt in the streets.

As a result of her low approval rates, Tulio launched a signature-gathering campaign to recall Villaran and her administration, which was accepted by the Peruvian National Office of Electoral Processes in Oct. 2012. Polls show that over 50 percent of Lima inhabitants would vote "yes."

The election will be held in March 17.