MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives (HOR) will be led by women lawmakers on Monday as part of the celebration of the National Women’s Month in March, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Sunday.
According to Romualdez, the designation of female lawmakers as presiding officers and leaders on Monday, “reflects the importance the House leadership puts on the role of its women members and Filipino women in general in lawmaking, in nation building, and in society.”
Ten female legislators will preside over Monday’s session:
- Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan)
- Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City)
- Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan)
- Rep. Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez (ALONA Partylist)
- Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque (4th District, Bukidnon);
- Rep. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Malabon City);
- Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (2nd District, Caloocan City);
- Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan);
- Rep. Glona Labadlabad (2nd District, Zamboanga del Norte); and
- Rep. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan).
Moreover, Bataan 3rd District Rep. Maria Angela S. Garcia will act as House Majority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera will be the House Minority Leader during the sessions on March 4.
“The House leadership champions women empowerment, gender equality, and gender balance. Women have constantly become our guidepost in making critical decisions affecting our families, our communities, and our nation. They are our strong moral pillars,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“We thank them not only for their participation in nation building but particularly in tending to our households and caring or helping care for our families and guiding them to the path of righteousness,” he added.
Romualdez noted that women legislators are expected to lead the passage of pro-women and children bills and the adoption of resolutions at the House of Representatives.
It will hold regular plenary sessions after its Committee of the Whole deliberations on proposed economic constitutional amendments.
According to the Philippine Commission on Women, National Women’s Month has its roots in the recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th.