Championing justice for women, workers and the poor

MANILA, Philippines — For lawyer Virginia Lacsa-Suarez, collaborating with women and workers isn’t just an advocacy—it’s the essence of her existence and keeps her feet on the ground.

This labor, women and human rights legal advocate grew up in a poor community—a slum area in Malabon. Coming from a family of nine, her father, Silvino Suarez, worked as a tricycle driver while her mother, Salud Lacsa, cared for her and her siblings.

She witnessed firsthand the challenges of surviving on just one meal a day, her parents’ struggle to give them a college education, and the prevailing belief that completing high school was enough.

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Driven to provide her parents with a “college diploma” as a gift, Suarez worked hard to finish high school at the Arellano Memorial College in 1984 after completing elementary school at Tanong Elementary School in 1980.

Without wasting time, she pursued her college education at the University of Santo Tomas, majoring in Communication Arts, in 1984, with the help of multiple scholarship grants.

Suarez recounts that with enough money for her “pamasahe” (fare) and without “baon” (pocket money) to buy anything from the university’s canteen, she instead spent most of her time in the school library during breaks.

“I had nothing but the thought of ‘huling baraha ako ng pamilya’ (I am the last card of the family), and someone in the family had to finish college,” says Suarez.

Turning point

It was during her college days that her youngest brother, Mandy, was charged in court for a vehicular accident, and her family could not afford to hire a lawyer.

“Our family met the usual advice of ‘aminin na lang’ (just admit it),” Suarez laments.

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It was then that she became even more committed to completing her college education, aspiring to become either a doctor or a lawyer to assist those who are less fortunate.

In the months leading to her graduation in 1988, she actively sought employment and was fortunate to secure a job. A day after graduating, she began working at Chase Advertising in Binondo, Manila.

LEGAL ADVOCACY Lawyer Virginia Lacsa-Suarez, who provides legal aid to the marginalized, is recognized during the Inquirer’s Women of Power award ceremony on March 11. With her are Inquirer president and CEO Rudyard Arbolado, Inquirer Group of Companies president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, associate publisher Juliet Javellana and executive editor Volt Contreras. EUGENE ARANETA

Despite being occupied with her job and deeply troubled by her youngest brother’s predicament, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of becoming a lawyer. In 1991, she enrolled at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila on a full scholarship, all while juggling her studies and job.

“Even with marriage and pregnancy, I managed to complete my law degree. I experienced labor during my final exam and gave birth afterward. I even pumped breast milk between classes,” Suarez recalls.

In 1994, she graduated with a law degree while holding her two-year-old daughter. On her first day as a lawyer, she committed to serving exclusively the underprivileged, focusing on cases involving women, children and workers.

Familiar struggles

Her involvement in the progressive groups Kaisa Ka and Kilusan started in 2002 when she was invited to lecture on laws protecting the rights of women and workers. There, she witnessed the familiar struggles of young girls and women, reminiscent of the challenges she faced in her youth.

“The struggles of workers resonated deeply with me, reminding me of my father’s challenges as a tricycle driver. Despite working tirelessly for 24 hours, his earnings, or ‘kita,’ were never sufficient,” Suarez shares.

Since then, her determination to assist and empower women has only grown stronger. Even after 30 years of professional practice, she remains committed to the same cause.

“I will continue to use my profession to help and liberate the minds and hearts of poor girls, women and workers,” Suarez vows.

She handled the anti-money laundering case of Acsa Ramirez of Land Bank of the Philippines; the case of Malaya Lolas, a group of survivors of sexual abuse by Japanese soldiers during World War II; and the murder of Jennifer Laude, where an American soldier was charged.

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Suarez recently drafted the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11596 (An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage).

Suarez, a Pilipinas Wave Warriors Dragon Boat Team member, balances her sports commitments with caring for her four daughters—Shann, Mica, Pie, and Georj—alongside five granddaughters, 10 dogs, and six cats.

Despite her busy schedule, she remains dedicated to breaking the culture of silence, advocating for speaking out, and standing up against oppression.

“We must speak out and stand up. Only then can we break through a world free from oppression,” says Suarez. INQ