SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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Photos by Perfecto Camero
The Women Deputy Speakers By Angelica Mirano THE current 17th Congress is truly a unique congregation of diversity and
By Peter Paul Duran
HE fight for women’s rights around the world has been fought for ages. This has spawned numerous empowered women in history whom have inspired a plethora of other women leaders throughout the years.
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In the Philippines, the struggle has been evident, but it has bore valuable fruit especially when we take a look at our politics. None better an example of this is the journey of the current Speaker of House, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the first woman speaker. Representing the second district of Pampanga, SGMA was elected to the Speakership on July 23, 2018, and is the first woman and 21st person to serve as Speaker, this after serving as the country’s second female President, among many other notable achievements. From the People’s House to The Working House, the 17th Congress’ shift in leadership has also brought about a change in dynamics in the bicameral body’s lower house. That change has been evident since Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the helm, bringing with her the bravado and great zeal which has influenced the 292-strong member House of Representatives into crafting and approving numerous bills in only a short span of time. In just six months since she assumed leadership of the House, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has steered the chamber to pass all of the priority legislative measures of President
Rodrigo Duterte as he enumerated in his State of the Nation Address in July. Arroyo credited her colleagues for working hard to pass all of the President’s 15 priority measures. In a speech before Congress adjourned for the Christmas break, Arroyo said she was not concerned about her legacy but about carrying out the legislative agenda of the President. “And as of yesterday, the House can report with confidence that we have already passed the President’s entire legislative agenda as he announced in his 2018 State of the Nation Address. So you all deserve congratulations and thanks,” Arroyo said. The President’s priority bills included the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Endo or the Security of Tenure Act, Utilization of the Coco Levy Act, National Land Use Act, Creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience, Rice Tariffication, Trabaho Bill or TRAIN 2, Mining Taxes, Alcohol Taxes, Tobacco Taxes, Reform in Property Valuation, Reform in Capitol Income and Financial Taxes, Tax Amnesty Program, Universal Health Care and Revision of the Constitution. Under Arroyo, the House has processed about 1,361 bills, approved 492 measures of which 95 have been passed into law.
“Thirty-nine bills are ready for the President’s signature; 27 with ratified bicameral reports; 25 on bicameral conference committee; 22 approved on second reading plus 38 resolutions approved. We have processed an average of 33 measures a day,” she said. Indeed, the last few years have brought one surprise after the other in the world of politics -- and one of the more recent saw Arroyo being elected as Speaker mid-2018. A total of 184 House members formed the new majority and voted in favor of the Pampanga 2nd District representative. After 20 male Speakers, it took a former President to put a woman on top of the legislature. In the history of the House of Representatives, men have dominated the field. But with Arroyo’s accumulated experience and political clout, she stood out was the clear cut choice. The road to the Speakership, so to speak, began when Arroyo was elected to represent the second district of her home province Pampanga – made up of her hometown of Lubao as well as Floridablanca, Guagua, Porac, Sta. Rita and Sasmuan – in 2010 for the 15th Congress. She succeeded her son, Juan Miguel “Mikee” Arroyo, as representative. And even if her term is nearing its tail-end, there’s no indication that the working house is stopping. In fact, the House of Representatives is not only an amalgam of zealous individuals working toward a more productive 17th Congress. The working house, with a mother-figure Turn to page 2
talent. Especially in the House of the Representatives where it maintains to achieve gender-balanced leadership backed by the fact that the power of women was highlighted in its second highest office, the Deputy Speakership. With half of the elected deputy speakers being women such as Hon. Rose Marie Arenas, Hon. Mercedez Alvarez, Hon. Mylene GarciaAlbano, Hon. Pia Cayetano, Hon. Sharon Garin, Hon. Evelina Escudero, and Hon. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term as speaker is a testament to her leading the pack of empowered women. Let’s get to know more about these women deputy speakers, knowing well too well that they have authored and co-authored acts that are significant to all Filipinos. Hon. Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, a lawyer by profession, an advocate of workers and Davao City’s second district representative. She coauthored several significant Republic acts such as Republic Act No. 10668 that helps importer and exporters by lowering the cost of shipping containerized cargoes; Republic Act No. 10845 that imposes higher sanctions on large-scale smuggling of agricultural products as crime of economic sabotage; Republic Act No. 8972 that provides additional benefits to solo parents; Republic Act No. 10706 that protect seafarers from exploitation during cases of accident, illness and deaths; and Republic Act No. 10821 that mandates provision of emergency relief and protection service for children before, during or after the disaster, and other emergency situation. Hon. Mercedez K. Alvarez serves both as deputy speaker and representative of the sixth district of Negros Occidental. She was a lawyer by profession and an advocate of rights of women and children. She fought for extended maternity leave of working women and also stood against intolerance and discrimination. She was also a national defense and security advocate and also pushed development of the countryside through infrastructure projects. Hon. Rose Marie J. Arenas, 3 rd district representative of Pangasinan and been dedicating her service to the poor. She was also an advocate of women, children and overseas Filipino workers rights. She has been an instrument for the poor to attain proper education via granting scholarship to thousands of youths. She is a significant patron of arts and a key benefactor in the construction and repair of chapels and monasteries. After serving public as a senator, Deputy Speaker Hon. Pia S. Cayetano and representative of 2nd district of Taguig City and also a lawyer were known with her sympathy to women and poor. She supported laws on reproductive health, cheaper medicine, taxes and women welfare. She also supported laws about education, environment, PWDs senior citizen and sports. She was the principal author and sponsor of the 10 Day Expanded Maternity Leave Bill. Hon. Evelina G. Escudero was a veteran educator with PhD and an advocate of education, culture and arts, tourism, health, and agriculture. She authored and sponsor bills such as Republic Act No. 10931 or Iskolar ng Bayan Act, Republic Act No. 11052 or Philippine Turn to page 2
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women
Congress: Pursuing equal rights for all By Rica Aquino
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OMEN discrimination is one of the main problems in the world. Even the Philippines, a country well-known for having strong women influencers still has women suffering from discrimination. In fact, the country has a high rate of women harassment, in 2018 a survey claimed that 81 percent of women experience sexual harassment, not to mention the likewise high number of physical harassment. Filipinas also have the difficulty in pursuing their careers because of lingering patriarchal values. But there is still a silver lining, especially when it comes to support from our
lawmakers—our women solons in Congress. And they have indeed stood by their mandate. The present Standing Committee operating in the House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines acts to maintain the balance in the nations law by submitting new Laws and Bills to create a better system for our country, thus “Women and Gender Equality” Committee consisted of 55 members led by Hon. Bernadette “BH” Herrera-Dy, its Chairperson. The standing committee is responsible for concerns relating to all women, regardless of their age, to education, employment, even to their role in nation building, and anything related to gender equality. The “Women and Gender equality” committee referred six notable house bills to date, three have been approved by the house including the HB No. 08244, an act that widened the definition of sexual harassment.
Harassments in any environment (workplace, institutions) now prescribe penalties indicated in Republic Act No. 7877 (Anti-sexual harassment act of 1995), an act that protects women and their children against violence indicted in the Republic Act no. 9262 known as the “Anti-violence against women and their children act of 2004” and HB04982, act that prohibits sexual discrimination. The other proposed bills are still under the approval of the house and senate which also have the same goal, the protection of women. The Philippines has seen strong, independent women throughout its history. But this doesn’t mean that they do not need the support or help from those in power, or those who can help through legislature. The Women and Gender Equality Committee is just one of the many groups supporting not just the rights and safety of women of any age, but also the improvement of women with their participation in economic life.
SOME NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FPGMA ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN: SENATE •
She was principal author of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995.
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She was principal author of RA 7882 (An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business Enterprises) which symbolized her two-pronged approach to women empowerment - first by upholding their human rights and second, by promoting their economic rights.
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She was also principal author of the Anti-Battering Bill but it did not pass during her time. The said bill would be the precursor of a subsequent bill, the Anti-Violence against Women Act, which she signed into law as president in 2004.
VICE PRESIDENCY •
As concurrent DSWD Secretary, FPGMA initiated the administrative measure on the anti-trafficking bill, which she would later on sign into law, the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003, as President.
PRESIDENCY ALVAREZ
GARIN
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Food Technology Act, Republic Act No. 11037 or Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act. She is the 1 st district representative of Sorsogon. A certified public accountant and lawyer, and a party-list representative, Hon. Sharon S. Garin was the author of the Coconut Preservation Act, Rural Farms School Act, Farm Tourism Act, Food Safety Act, Free Irrigation Act, and other agricultural related bills. She was also a women’s
SGMA... From page 1
in tow, is now a caring house. This shows in various measures supporting the practice of corporate social responsibility in the country. It also shows in the push from Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the urgent rehabilitation of Marawi City and for a renewed focus on the plight of the urban poor, which she has championed throughout her career. The House tackles a lot of other measures that directly and indirectly
ARENAS
GARCIA ALBANO
rights advocate, aiming to empower women with Expanded Maternity Leave Bill, Absolute Divorce Bill, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Act. Hon. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica is the representative of the 4th district of Bulacan and the president of the Association of the Women Legislators Foundation Inc. She was the principal author of the Republic Act No. 10928 that extends the validity of the Philippine Passport; Republic Act No. 10691 that amends the Public Employment Service Office Law and other significant bills. With Peter Paul Duran
affect the urban poor -- and under the baton of Speaker Arroyo, the country’s lawmakers are encouraged to apply compassion and wisdom to the laws that will benefit not just the poor, but all Filipinos as well. This comes as no surprise as politics with a purpose has always been in Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s blood. She was 14 years old when her father, Diosdado Macapagal, became the country’s ninth President. “GMA” herself would become the 14th President of the Philippines— before gaining another milestone as the
CAYETANO
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Signed into law the Ant-Trafficking in Persons Act in 2003.
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Signed into law the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act in 2004.
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Signed into law the Magna Carta of Women in 2009.
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To implement RA 7882, she established a microfinance conduit system to help women in business. As a result, from 2001 to 2009, the government extended P340 billion in loans to almost 6 million micro, small and medium enterprises creating 6 million jobs. This exceeded her initial target of 3 million entrepreneurs.
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Steered the country towards closing the gender gap in education and health during her presidency. The Philippines was sixth in the world and the only Asian country to achieve gender parity during her presidency in 2008.
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During her term, the Philippines was among the top in gender equality in terms of literacy rate and together with some other countries, the Philippines was no. 1 for female enrolment in primary, secondary and tertiary education.
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Set aside five percent of the yearly budget for Gender and Development.
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Increased the number of policewomen to be hired every year.
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Developed a Childhood Care and Development System in order to lower maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality ratio.
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Placed pregnancy in the public health insurance coverage so that pregnant women could use their Philhealth card when giving birth in accredited hospitals.
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Towards the end of her presidency, she launched two programs for women – Hataw and Power. HATAW means Harnessing Appropriate Technology to Assist Women and POWER means Projects for Women Entrepreneurs. Hataw sought technology-based solutions to community-based problems in general and lack of women’s economic opportunities in particular. It meshed local knowledge systems with modern technology to create value-added products and services out of available and abundant resources in their communities.
ESCUDERO
VILLARICA
country’s first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives. But even at 71 years old, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has proven she has many more years of public service in her. Having been voted into all the top elective posts of the country, being Speaker may not be the final stop of her long and glittering political journey. And amid all things that she had accomplished, there’s hope for the next batch of empowered women to follow on Mrs. Arroyo’s trailblazing path.
PAMPANGA REPRESENTATIVE •
Co-authored the Kasambahay bill that became a law.
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Filed a bill that will allow women to revert to their maiden surname in case of legal separation, presumptive death, abandonment, separation of property or dissolution of marriage without a court order.
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Filed a bill creating programs for incarcerated mothers and their children.
SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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The Women Committee Chairs promotion of industrial peace and employer/employee cooperation, labor education, labor standards and statistics, and the organization and development of the labor market including the recruitment, THE House of Representatives under Speaker Gloria Macapagal- training and placement of manpower. She is also Vice Chairperson of three more committees, “Appropriations”, “Indigenous Cultural Arroyo has seen numerous changes in only a short span of time. Communities And Indigenous Peoples”, and “Suffrage And Electoral Since taking the reigns back in July, SGMA has pushed President Reforms” and a member of 10 more committees (Science and Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda to near completion. This goes Technology, Local Government, Justice). without saying that indeed, with its first woman speaker in the drivCommittee chair on Muslim affairs er’s seat, the lower House of Congress is a Working House. (Members: 20): Sema, Sandra A. Hon. Sema, Sandra A. is a District But it’s worthy to note as well, that behind Speaker Arroyo, nuRepresentatives of Maguindanao, 1st merous women legislators have contributed to this overhaul in the District, she authored 39 Housing Bills House’s complexion of hard work. including the HB NO. 03312, an act prohibiting discrimination on the basis Let’s get to know more about them, especially the women commitof ethnicity, race and religion or belief, tee chairs of the 17th Congress. sex, gender, sexual orientation and another status, and providing penalties STANDING COMMITTEE under of “Muslim Affairs” committee that is relating to Muslim affairs inclusive of the welfare of Muslim Committee chair on accounts Filipinos and the development of predominantly Muslim areas. (Members: 105): Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Committee chair on People Hon. Romualdez, Yedda Marie K. Participation (Members: 25): is a District Representative of Leyte, Plaza, Maria Valentina G. 1st district. She authored 57 Housing Hon. Plaza, Maria Valentina G. is bills including “THE BUDGET a District Representatives of Agusan IMPOUNDMENT CONTROL ACT” Del Sur, 1st District. She authored 30 under the Committee of Accounts that Housing Bills including the HB NO. is referring to the internal budget of the 06834, an act strengthening the right House including budget preparation. of the people to free expression, to She is also Vice Chairperson of “Interparliamentary Relations and peaceably assemble and to petition the Diplomacy” and a member of 5 more committees (Climate Change, government for redress of grievances, Labor and Employment, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Women and repealing for the purpose Batas Pambansa under the “People Gender Equality). Participation” committee relating to the role, rights and responsibilities of peoples organizations, non-government and civic organizations Committee chair on Disaster and other similar groups and the establishment of mechanisms for Management (Members: 30): consultation with and participation of the people in governance and Roman, Geraldine B. Hon. Roman, Geraldine B. is a District legislation including the establishment and maintenance of databank Representative of Bataan, 1st District, a on all such organization. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Revision chairperson of Disaster Management of Laws” committee and a member of 8 more committees (Disaster that is relating to disaster and calamities Management, Mindanao Affairs). as well as policies, plans, programs Committee chair on Population and related to disaster risk. She authored 86 Family Relations(Members: 25): Housing bills including HB NO. 03966, Aragones, Sol an act requiring all the provincial Hon. Aragones, Sol is a District governments to establish, operate and maintain an intensive care Representatives of Laguna, 3rd District, unit in their respective provincial hospitals and appropriating funds. a Chairperson of “Population and She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Veterans Affairs and Welfare” and Family Relations” committee relating to “Women and Gender Equality”, and a member of 10 more committees population growth and family planning, (Appropriations, Bases Conversion, Ethics and Privileges, Health). population census and statistics, family relations. She is also Vice Chairperson Committee chair on Economic of two committees, “Women and Affairs (Member: 35): Gender Equality”, “Information and Communications Technology” Garcia, Gwendolyn F. Hon. Garcia, Gwendolyn F. is a and a member of 5 more committees (Tourism, Ecology, Agriculture District Representative of Cebu, 3rd and Food). District, a chairperson of “Economic Committee chair on Revision of Affairs” committee that is relating to Laws: Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn L. economic development planning and Hon. Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn L. is a programs inclusive of economic and soDistrict Representatives of Pangasinan, cial economic studies and development 6th District and a Chairperson of policies and strategies. “Revision of Laws” committee relaying to the revision and codification of Committee chair on Ethics and laws. She is also a Vice Chairperson of Privileges (Members: 25): “Cooperative Development” committee Lee, Delphine Gan and a member of 12 more committees Hon. Delphine Lee is a Representative (Rules, Justice, and Health). from the AGRI Party List and the chairperson for the committee on ethics Committee chair on Social service and privileges. She has authored 73 (Members: 35): house measures to date including HB042 Eriguel, Sandra Y., M.D or an act removing the conditions for Hon. Eriguel, Sandra Y., M.D is a the condonation of all unpaid taxes due District Representatives of La Union, from local water districts. She is also 2nd District, a Chairperson of “Social a member of the minority on six other Service” committee relating to the committees, such as Accounts, Agriculture and Food, Food security, development and promotion of tourism Games and Amusement, Tourism, and Ways and Means. and the tourist industry both domestic and international. She is also a Vice Committee chair on Health Chairperson of “Health” committee and (Members:65): Tan, Angelina Hon. Tan, Angelina is a District a member of 7 more committees (Local Government, Accounts, and Representative of Quezon, 4th District, Agriculture). a chairperson of “Health” committee Committee chair on Tourism that is relating to public health and (Members: 55): hygiene and quarantine, medical, Nuñez-Malanyaon, Corazon N. hospital and other health facilities and Hon. Nuñez-Malanyaon, Corazon service. She authored 239 Housing N. is a District Representatives of Bills including the HB NO. 00042, Davao Oriental, 1st District, She an act strengthening compliance authored 55 Housing Bills including with occupational safety and health the HB NO. 06475, entitled “An act standards and providing penalties for violations under the “Health” to strengthen and expand organic act committee. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Overseas Workers for the autonomous region in Muslim Affairs” Committee and a member of 9 more committees (Foreign Mindanao”. She is a Chairperson of Affairs, Labor and Employment, Ways and Means). “Tourism” committee relating to the development and promotion of tourism and the tourist industry Committe chair on Human Rights both domestic and international. She is a Vice Chairperson of two (Members: 35): committees, “Appropriations”, and “Constitutional Amendments”, Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl P. Hon. Deloso-Montalla, Cheryl P. is a and a member of 6 more committees (Mindanao, Affairs, Accounts, District Representatives of Zambales, and Local Government). 2nd District, a Chairperson of “Human Committee chair on Ways and Right” committee that is relating to the Means: Suansing, Estrelita B. protection of enhancement of human Hon. Suansing, Estrelita B. Is a District rights, assistance to victims of human Representatives of Nueva Ecija, 1st rights violations, and their families, the District, a Chairperson of “ Ways and prevention of violations of human rights Means” committee relating to the fiscal, and the punishment of perpetrators monetary, and financial affairs of the of such violations. She is also a Vice national government including tariff, Chairperson of two committees “Bases taxation, revenues, borrowing, credit Conversion” and “Basic Education and Culture” and a member of and bonded indebtedness. She is also 11 more committees (West Philippine Sea, Natural Resources, and Vice Chairperson of “Overseas Worker Ecology). Affairs” committee and a member of 9 more committees (Transportation, Health, and Climate Change). Committee chair on Labor and Employment (Members: 40): Committee chair on Welfare of Cuaresma, Luisa Lloren Children (Members: 20): Hon. Cuaresma, Luisa Lloren is Yu, Divina Grace C. a District Representative of Nueva Hon. Yu, Divina Grace C. is Vizcaya, Lone District, a Chairperson of a District Representatives of “Labor and Employment” Committee Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District. that is relating to labor, the advancement She authored 131 House Bills and protection of the rights and including the HB NO. 05633, an act welfare of workers, employment and strengthening the unified financial manpower development inclusive of the
By Rica Aquino and Peter Paul Duran
assistance system for tertiary education and appropriating their funds under the “Welfare of Children” committee that is relating to the needs, education, and overall welfare of Filipino children, and all actions to ensure the availability of and their continuing access to affordable and appropriate programs and resources and that facilitate and contribute to the attainment of their welfare. She is a Vice Chairperson of two committees,” Civil Service and Professional Regulation” and “Women and Gender Equality”, and a member of 12 more committees (Tourism, Transportation and Justice). Committee chair on Women and Gender Equality(Members: 55): Bernadette, Herrera-Dy Hon. Bernadette, Herrera-Dy is a District Representatives, Party ListBH, She authored 153 Housing Bills including the HB NO. 04982, an act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity under the “Women and Gender Equality” committee that is relating to the rights and welfare of women and female children and youth, inclusive of their education, employment and working conditions, and their role in nation building, and all concerns relating to gender equality. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Welfare of Children” committee and a member of 11 more committees(Rules, Social service, and Health). SPECIAL COMMITTEES Committee chair on East Asian Growth Area (Members: 20): Cagas, Mercedes “Didi” C. Hon. Cagas, Mercedes “Didi” C. is a District Representatives of Davao Del Sur, Lone District. She is a Chairperson of “East Asian Growth Area” committee relating to social, political, economic policies affecting the counties within the area, and the promotion of trade and investment among these countries. She is also a member of 11 more committees (Tourism, Trade and Industry, and Mindanao Affairs). Committee chair on Sustainable Development Goals (Members: 14): Kho, Elisa. Hon. Elisa Kho is Masbate’s 2nd District Representative and is the chairperson of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals. She is also a member of nine other committees including committee on accounts, Bicol Recovery and Economic Development, Climate Change, Foreign Affairs, Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, Population and Family Relations, Rural Development, Senior Citizens, and Tourism. She has authored 80 measures to date. Committee chair on Bases Conversion (Members: 20): Calixto-Rubiano, Emi G. Hon. Calixto-Rubiano, Emi G. is a District Representatives of Pasay City, Lone District. She is a Chairperson of “Committee chair on Bases Conversion” committee relating to policies and programs relating to bases conversion, the operation of special economic zones informer military bases, sale of military camps and disposition of proceeds thereof, relocation of military camps and personnel, and the construction of new military camps. She is also a member of 4 more committees. Committee chair on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Member: 20): Sahali, Ruby M. Hon. Sahali, Ruby M. is a District Representatives of Tawi Tawi, Lone District, a Chairperson of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity relating to negotiation and other policy and program initiatives in pursuit of the peace process and national reconciliation, the cessation of hostilities generated by internal armed conflicts, and the welfare of rebel-returnees. Committee chair on Senior Citizens (Members: 20): Marcos, Imelda R. Hon. Marcos, Imelda R. is a District Representative of Ilocos Norte, 2nd District, a Chairperson of “Senior Citizens” committee relating to the needs and welfare of senior citizens as well as policies and programs that will enhance their active participation in society. She is also a Vice Chairperson of “Antiparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy” committee and a member of 4 more committees (Foreign Affairs, Accounts and Tourism). Committee chair on West Philippine Sea: Go, Ana Cristina Siquian Hon. Go, Ana Cristina Siquian is a District Representative of Isabela, 2nd District, a Chairperson of West Philippine Sea, The jurisdiction of this committee is not specified. But their bills are more on the protection of the Philippine Territory, specifically WPS.
Through the various standing and special committee chairwomen, more legislative agenda pertaining to gender equality are now being brought up. But above and beyond this, having these outstanding women leading the way, creates a new dynamic not only for the House of Representatives, but for Philippine politics as well.
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SGMA leading the Pack of Empowered Women
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019
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The Working House for All By Julianne Edon Gabis
A
LTHOUGH the Philippines is one of the most genderequal countries in Asia, and having climbed to 8th place in the latest report of Global Gender Gap, there is still an overwhelming amount of men dominating the world of politics in the country, with Filipino women being inadequately represented in top political positions in the land.
Gender inequality is still a prevailing element of Philippine politics according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). Not even a quarter (21.27%) of the seats in the House of Representatives were held by women in the 14th Congress. Out of 268 House members, only 57 of were women. The percentage climbed up a notch during the 15th Congress by 2% with a total of 66 women elected to Congress sitting next to 216 men. The 16th Congress, however, had seats for 64 women out of 234 raising the percentage up a bit to 27%. In the current Congress, only 3 out of 10 legislators in the House are women making 87 women lawmakers sitting next to 209 men, surpassing the previous record of the 16th Congress. Women in politics have been on a steady rise. According to PIDS, women currently hold roughly 1 in every 5 national and local elective positions. You’d think that ever since the victory of Elisa Ochoa, the first ever woman legislator in the country in 1941, there would be some serious progress. Although there is an improvement, such figures still reveal the truth about the Filipino perception regarding gender roles. To this day, less than 30% of seats in the House of Representatives are held by female lawmakers. CHANGES IN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE The existence of women in the world of Politics once was not even conceivable until the 20th century. Suffragists fought hard for the right of women to have a seat on the table and that right had only been obtained in 1937, not even a hundred years ago. The National Assembly announced
the plebiscite with a required onset of 300,000 votes affirming the women’s right to vote. The suffrage movement was the first legal act the Filipino women officially took part in and it forever changed the structure of the political system in the Philippines. It paved the way for many firsts in Philippine politics. It was on 2016 when Geraldine Roman, from the first legislative district seat of Bataan, went down in
history and became the country’s first transwoman to ever be elected in the House of Representatives. ERADICATING DISCRIMINATION Laws like Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women- the landmark law of the 14th congress- helps in steadily eradicating discrimination against women, recognizing, protecting, and promoting their rights in the workforce. The act prohibits
any form of omission or discrimination in the matters of gender whether done by public and private entities or individuals. This also includes stereotypical portrayal of females in media. The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Act has been pushed in the House intended to prevent various acts of discrimination against people based on their gender expression. Throughout the years women have been fighting for the empowerment of their fellow women in Congress despite being a minority in the House. Women of the 17 th Congress pushed House approval for laws addressing maternal issues. This includes the 105 Days Expanded
Maternity Leave Bill extending assistance to employed women after their maternal period. Many laws are ratified in legislature protecting the rights of women and promoting gender equality but the question is whether these laws have teeth to make a difference. The laws enacted by the Congress affect all in our country, regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity and winning candidates have a direct hand in molding our laws for the betterment of our society. Given such conditions in the gender gap in the legislative branch of the government or in any branch at all, this inequality in gender distribution inevitably affects the kind of laws prioritized in Congress.
The first woman in the National Assembly
welfare were limited. A month into Ochoa’s term, World War II broke out but her service did not halt as she led other nurses in attending to Filipino ALL throughout history, women have been denied of entry to and American soldiers wounded in the war. After the war, she fields traditionally held and dominated by men. Not only until the authored Commonwealth Act 704- an act to establish municipal beginning of the 20th century, politics was no place for a womanmaternity and charity clinics in rural nothing less than the confines of her kitchen. areas. The history of women in politics began in Women in far-flung areas up to this 1937 when Filipino women obtained their time have been given minimal healthcare right to vote via plebiscite with a required during their maternal period. Mortality threshold of 300,000 yes votes. Women rate of pregnant women was staggering. suffrage won a landslide victory of 447,725 As a medical practitioner herself, Ochoa yes votes versus 33,307. This paved the way saw the urgent necessity of addressing for a change in the landscape of Philippine the healthcare needs of poor pregnant Congress. women in these rural places. Elisa Rosales-Ochoa joined the 1941 These maternity and charity clinics congressional elections in the Agusan shall attend to indigent patients certified province and won through a landslide victory. as such by a municipal treasurer. The act This cemented her name in history as the first The National Assembly in session also established proper compensation of ever congresswoman in the country. physicians that attend to these patients. Born and raised in Butuan, what was then the province of Agusan, Ochoa’s term concluded in 1946 but her public service did she was a licensed nurse prior to her career in politics. She passed not stop as she worked as technical assistant on health to former the civil service examination for nursing superintendents and went presidents Ramon Magsaysay and Carlos Garcia. off to law school in 1939. When the Filipino women were granted In recognition of her leadership achievements, she was given the right of suffrage, Ochoa interrupted her law school studies to acknowledgments and proclaimed as a model citizen of Agusan del run for a position in the National Assembly. Norte. Many Filipino men were opposed with the idea of women having From her time as the first and only woman in Congress, women rights to vote and run for office. The primary concern was the remain a minority in the House of Representatives up to now destabilization of familial dynamics if women formally started to with the current Congress (17th Congress) having only at least 87 be included in the running of the country. women, 6 more than the previous one. Gender discrimination is such an old element in our country that But with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attesting to the it traces back to the colonial era with the church’s involvement in brilliance of empowered women and their capability to lead, there regulating sexual conduct of women. Given may be a change in that fact not long from now. such conditions back then, acts and laws prioritizing women
By Julianne Edon Gabis
Elisa Rosales-Ochoa