Palace hit on pro-women stance

MANILA, Philippines - Women lawmakers yesterday said that President Aquino’s promise to appoint women in government posts was long overdue.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan criticized the Palace pronouncements last week that the administration would give equal opportunity for women in government.

“But the choice or appointment of a woman in government does not automatically mean a pro-woman stance,” she said.

Ilagan and her colleague, Rep. Emmerenciana de Jesus, earlier said women under the Aquino administration remain poor and abused.

Senatorial candidate Grace Poe-Llamanzares said in a male-dominated Congress, pro-women measures oftentimes do not get the needed support.