Why Tunting matters

There is an upward battle that is being waged in the Philippines. It is a struggle that, though universal, somehow finds prominence in our macho-ridden country. The advocacy for the protective rights of women and children has long been an issue in our legislative and administrative branches. Prominent in the middle of this melee’ is lawyer Lourdes "Tunting" Cruz-Matters, a woman who has cast her voice out into the air in the hopes that it be carried by the wind to the ears of the powers-that-be.

At age 47, Tunting emanates vibrancy and youthfulness. Her voice has a Tibetan chime-like quality and her face strikes quirky, childlike expressions when she wishes to punctuate a point. There is nothing immature, however, about her stand for gender equality. "The law was made to protect and create a level-playing field for those who have less in stature and resources. Yet, time and again, women have been consistently marginalized in the legal arena. There is perceived to be a natural bias in favor of men among judges and prosecutors. This situation is true everywhere in the world but it is so obviously present here."

Tunting constantly travels from Manila to New York (where she puts in 10-hour days at a NY law firm). "Most of the women that I represent belong to the middle class sector. Domestic abuse has no class distinction however. Sadly, it occurs mostly to women who have no self-esteem. Whatever sense of worth these women have left has been diminished by the violence and intimidation they had experienced. The tendency to be judgmental of such women comes quite easily. But nothing is ever cut-and-dry. None of us can surely know how we are to conduct ourselves if we were actually placed in the same situation. During encounters with abused women, it is best to listen and be objective."

Fortunately, there are several advocates in the Philippines – men and women who constantly try to bring the issues to the foreground. Tunting has great admiration for them. She considers former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Undersecretary Alice Bala and Manay Gina de Venecia among the champions for women and children’s rights.

Through the years, some progress has been realized. Today, there are women’s desks in every precinct. "It is very easy to incur a certain degree of jadedness when faced with the constant struggle to end violence," Tunting shares. "I have the greatest respect for mothers. Mothers will do anything to provide for their children. Oftentimes, the courts do not compel fathers to provide for their children. Many men feel no compulsion to secure their children’s well-being. Mothers are quite the opposite. When push comes to shove they will do anything to support their kids. They suffer the stigma for how far they will go to feed their children but it all boils down to a matter of women’s capacity for love and survival."

"Perhaps our justice system is still in its early stages of development. At the moment I believe that we, as a people, do not have much respect for the law. But for as long as there are people who willingly keep the issues of equality and protection of women and children alive, I shall continue the good fight with a joyfully expectant heart."