DSWD chief Taguiwalo’s fate known on Wednesday

Social welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo answers questions from members of the Commission on Appointments hearing at the Senate on Wednesday May 3, 2017. Inquirer/Grig c. Montegrande

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo will face the Commission on Appointments (CA) again on Wednesday, May 17, when the 24 senators and congressmen who compose the body are expected to vote on her confirmation or rejection.

Taguiwalo’s confirmation hearing on May 3 turned controversial after Sen. Vicente Sotto III asked her about having children out of wedlock.

The senator-comedian remarked afterwards: “In the street language, when you have children and you are single, ang tawag do’n ay na-ano lang (we call that just knocked up). Thank you. You have my 100-percent support.”

Taguiwalo, a professor and activist since martial law, responded: “Senator Sotto, I teach women’s studies. We respect all kinds of families and that includes solo parents. Thank you.”

The hearing was suspended due to time constraints.

The senator’s derogatory remark was roundly condemned on social media, even by his fellow entertainers.

The next day, Taguiwalo said that while the senator had apologized and she had accepted his apology, “that does not mean that I tolerate misogyny or antiwomen comments or attacks against solo parents.”

Taguiwalo has pushed for the expansion of benefits for solo parents.

A group representing 80,000 solo parents nationwide said the controversy was a “blessing in disguise” since it had opened doors to get support from legislators like Sotto to amend the law for solo parents.

The Federation of Solo Parents Luzvimin wants discounts on medicine, laboratory and hospitalization fees, tuition, milk and vitamins for solo parents and their children, as well as an office in every local government unit that would attend to their needs.

Meanwhile, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano is scheduled to be grilled by the CA next Wednesday, May 24.

Taguiwalo and Mariano were nominated by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, the political wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, after President Duterte said he would offer Cabinet posts to the Left.

Mariano was a longtime leader of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and former Anakpawis party-list representative.

Taguiwalo was an activist-professor of the University of the Philippines and founding president of the All-UP Academic Employees Union.

Both officials were bypassed by the CA in March but were reappointed by President Duterte the following month.

Earlier, Bayan Muna secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. expressed concern about how the peace negotiations would be affected should Taguiwalo and Mariano fail to secure their confirmation.

He said the two officials’ appointment was considered part of the supposed collaboration between the Duterte administration and the Left.