黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Political parties in the Philippines should allocate 40 percent of its membership to women, as female leaders are often underrepresented despite being capable and sometimes more efficient than men, a lawmaker said on Monday.

In a press briefing, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman said that they tried to push for a bill that would encourage women to be in positions of power, noting that areas with women leaders tend to be more peaceful鈥攚hich is a key requirement for ensuring progress.

鈥淲e also tried to approve a bill that would encourage women to be in positions of power. Pansinin niyo, 鈥檖ag meron kang women leader, there is normally peace in that area, in that zone, in that territory [鈥�] Ayaw nila ng conflict, gusto nila peace, katahimikan, for progress, for their children,鈥� Roman said.

(If there are women leaders, there is normally peace in that area, in that zone, in that territory [鈥�] They do not want conflict, they want peace and order, for progress, for their children.)

READ: Women鈥檚 political representation in PH still inadequate, says forum speakers

鈥淪o we want to encourage more women participating in politics through an incentive program, we would require political parties to have at least 40 percent of their list to include women,鈥� she added.

Roman said that while the bill appears to be against a mindset that politicians get their membership to a party due to competencies, the reality is that women are not getting many seats in political blocs.

Once the ideal number of women representation is achieved, Roman said the law鈥攊f this bill is passed鈥攃an be repealed.

鈥淎nd I know it may sound na parang it goes against the spirit of meritocracy, dapat pagalingan lang 鈥檡an. But we have to face the fact na hindi level, hindi patas ang playing ground. So somehow, you have to give [鈥�] positive affirmation, that system when you give a quota, affirmative action, para medyo level ang playing field,鈥� she said.

(And I know it may sound that it goes against the spirit of meritocracy, because it should be about having the best people. But we have to face the fact that the playing field is not level and fair. So somehow, you have to give [鈥�] positive affirmation, that system when you give a quota, affirmative action, so that you can level the playing field.)

鈥淭hen when you reach your goal already, maybe you can do away with that law. We can repeal that law already,鈥� she added.

Politics in the Philippines tend to be dominated by male personalities. Of the 17 presidents of the country, only two are women鈥攆ormer President Corazon Aquino and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Meanwhile, only three women were elected to the Vice Presidential post: Arroyo, former Vice President Leni Robredo, and incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte.

Despite the Philippines鈥� good standing in gender equality, the United Nations (UN) Women has observed a deficit in the country鈥檚 political representation for women.

In the 2025 midterm elections, only the Koalisyon Makabayan fielded a Senate slate featuring a majority of women candidates鈥攕ix out of 11 bets are women, led by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and former Gabriela lawmaker Liza Maza.

For the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, four of 12 candidates are women: Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Imee Marcos, and House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.

Meanwhile, none of the nine Senate candidates of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino鈥攖he party backed by former President Rodrigo Duterte鈥攊s a woman.

Other programs

Aside from this proposal, Roman also said that the House committee on women and gender equality released a manual on how to be a gender-responsive legislator.

鈥淎nother is also, we came out with a manual and we distributed it among members of the House, how to be a gender-responsive legislator. Alam nyo, meron din kaming panukalang batas, in times of natural calamities, crises, like 鈥榶ong nakaraang COVID pandemic, the protocols were male-centered eh. Binababa ang mga ayuda sa mga padre de familia,鈥� she said.

鈥淎nd in my experience, pasintabi lang po sa mga kalalakihan, hindi po 鈥檡ong pera na 鈥檡un napunta necessarily doon sa dapat puntahan niya. Like pagkain, pero kung dinaan natin 鈥檡an sa mga kababaihan鈥攂ecause the fact of the matter is that calamities, whether natural or man-made disasters, affect men and women differently,鈥� she added.

Roman and other women legislators were also present during the House鈥檚 flag raising ceremony on Monday, where the legislative chamber鈥檚 celebration of the National Women鈥檚 Month kicked-off.

In her speech, Roman highlighted key legislative victories aimed at improving the lives of Filipino women, like the enactment of Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act; R.A. No. 11861, or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act; and R.A. No. 11965 or the Caregivers Welfare Act.

鈥淭o those who have the power to turn bills into laws鈥攍et us do what is right,鈥� she urged. 鈥攚ith reports from Sheba Barr, INQURIER.net trainee