Cabinet members enjoy a light moment before the arrival of President Aquino for Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Malacañang. They are (from left) Voltaire Gazmin (defense), Patricia Licuanan (Commission on Higher Education), Paquito Ochoa (executive secretary), Dinky Soliman (social welfare), Rogelio Singson (public works and highways), Cesar Purisima (finance) and Rene Almendras (Cabinet secretary). LYN RILLON / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
Senate President Franklin Drilon wants the next administration to appoint more women in cabinet positions and other key government posts, particularly in social services.
Drilon, who is seeking reelection in May, said the next president should ensure that more women would be given the chance to serve in key positions in government.
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“In the Philippines, I would like to see an increased participation of women in the nation’s political life, particularly in Congress,” he said when he spoke before the International Women’s Day event held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan this Tuesday.
The Senate leader noted that the present administration has already paved the way for more meaningful participation of women in the country’s political affairs, noting a significant number of women in the Aquino cabinet.
“We have seen exceptional leadership from outstanding women in this administration,” he said.
“I therefore urge the next President to form a gender-balanced cabinet by appointing more women.”
In the Senate, Drilon noted that six of his colleagues are women, while the House of Representatives has 79 women lawmakers out of 289 members.
In local government, he said, 17 of 80 governors are female, along with 11 vice-governors, 33 mayors and 21 vice-mayors.
Drilon said that he believed that the country needed more female voices in government, since “it has been shown that women in government are notably committed in addressing socio-economic and political challenges facing women, children and disadvantaged groups.”
As a lawmaker, he said he was committed towards “giving women more political voice, increasing women’s participation in policy-making and governance, expanding their representation in fields that are traditionally dominated by men, and encouraging their participation in the nation’s economic life.”
“I assure you that I will continue to do my share in addressing the challenges that women face in our society. We shall build on our gains and continue to push for reforms,” Drilon said.
He pointed out that in recent Congresses, the Senate had championed and passed many bills protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of women, such as the Magna Carta on Women, Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.