Drilon: Next admin must push greater women's involvement in governance

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today urged the next administration to appoint more women in cabinet positions and other key government posts, particularly in the area of social services.

Speaking at the International Women's Day event held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the Senate leader and re-electionist senatorial candidate under the Liberal Party said that the next president should ensure that more women will be given the chance to serve in key positions in government.

"In the Philippines, I would like to see an increased participation of women in the nation's political life, particularly in Congress," Drilon said.

In the Senate, six of Drilon's colleagues are women, while the House of Representatives has 79 women lawmakers out of 289 members.

In local government, 17 of 80 governors are female, along with 11 vice-governors, 33 mayors and 21 vice-mayors, Drilon noted.

The four-time Senate President said that the present administration has already paved the way for more meaningful participation of women in the country's political affairs, noting a significant number of women in the Aquino cabinet.

"We have seen exceptional leadership from outstanding women in this administration," Drilon said, adding that the challenge is to surpass this feat.

"I therefore urge the next President to form a gender-balanced cabinet by appointing more women," he stressed.

Drilon said that he believes that the country needs more female voices in government, since "it has been shown that women in government are notably committed in addressing socio-economic and political challenges facing women, children and disadvantaged groups."

Drilon said that as a lawmaker, he is committed towards "giving women more political voice, increasing women's participation in policy-making and governance, expanding their representation in fields that are traditionally dominated by men, and encouraging their participation in the nation's economic life."

"I assure you that I will continue to do my share in addressing the challenges that women face in our society. We shall build on our gains and continue to push for reforms," he said.

Drilon said that in recent Congresses, the Senate had championed and passed many bills protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of women, such as the Magna Carta on Women, Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.