Women legislators elect new officers

MANILA, Philippines — Women lawmakers have “a long way to go,” Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog party-list said during the organizational meeting of the 86-strong Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. (AWLFI) which she chairs. “But through all of our efforts, we can achieve so much as we continue in accomplishing our goal to advance women’s legislative agenda and completely eradicate gender inequalities,” she said.

During the meeting, 28 of its members were elected to various positions. Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica of the 4th district of Bulacan, who served as president in the 17th Congress, was elected for the same position. Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte was elected senior vice president, along with Reps. Emmarie Oano-Dizon of Mandaue City and Ma. Lucille Nava of Guimaras who were chosen as internal vice president and external vice president, respectively.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who graced the occasion, vowed his support. “Rest assured that the leadership of the 19th Congress will support your endeavors to advance the legislative agenda of women with my wife, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, serving as its chairperson,” he said.

“Through a consultative and collaborative way, we can see eye to eye, make concessions if necessary and collectively pass measures with our Senate counterpart; that will be approved and signed by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.”

Speaker Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party, said that based on Congress website, there are almost 1,400 measures filed by the members of the association along the subject matter of e-governance, electronic commerce, telemedicine services, urban development and housing, fiscal policies, food security, education, health, disaster resilience, labor and employment, social services, protection against discrimination and abuse and urgent amendments to existing laws, to name a few.

The other newly elected officers of the AWLFI are Reps. Maria Theresa Collantes, Stella Luz Quimbo and Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, vice president for Luzon; Maria Fe Abunda and Janette Garin, vice president for Visayas; Glona Labadlabad, Divina Grace Yu and Maria Carmen Zamora, vice president for Mindanao; Arlene Brosas and Jocelyn Tulfo, vice president for party-list; Marissa Magsino, Midy Cua and Marjorie Ann Teodoro, secretary; Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong, Ma. Rachel Arenas and Marie Bernadette Escudero, treasurer; Rosanna Vergara, Irene Gay Saulog and Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, business manager; Lianda Bolilia, Josefina Tallado and Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim, PRO; and Ysabel Maria Zamora and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, legal counsel.

Former president and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and outgoing president former deputy speaker Rose Marie Arenas also graced the occasion with their presence, with Arroyo being named as chairman of the board of advisers. Former representative Georgina de Venecia is chairman emeritus.