Alyansa’ bets vow to do more to empower women
PILI, CAMARINES SUR – THE administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates on Friday praised Filipino women for their invaluable contribution to society ahead of the International Women’s Day celebrations on March 8, and promised to do more to empower them.
Women senatorial candidates Makati Mayor Abby Binay and Las Pinas Representative and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar led the Alyansa slate in extolling women for their strength and resilience in keeping the family while also pursuing their careers.
Binay said that even if the Philippines has been doing “so much better than other countries” in terms of women empowerment, more Could still be done, as she lamented that few women still serve in government and that the corporate world remains dominated by men.
She rallied Filipino women to continue pursuing their dreams, citing as an example her and Villar’s bid to run for senator.
“If we can do it, so can you,” Binay said. “If we are running for a national position even if we’re already mothers, even if we still need to take care of our families, we can still have a career … if we can do it, so can other women.”
Villar, for her part, said that during her time as congresswoman, she offered programs that provided additional livelihoods as well as scholarships, and authored bills that give maternity benefits and equal pay for women workers.
According to former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, whose mother, Dra. Herminia Castelo-Sotto founded the Women’s Rights Program and was president emerita of the Kababaihan Rizalista in the Philippines, hailed women for their role in shaping the country. “Sa akin, and I’ve said this before, that definitely napakahalaga ng role ng mga kababaihan.”
For former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, women should be celebrated all-year and not just for a day, saying that women are so important that they are the very reason why there are laws on gender equality, equal opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.
ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, called on Filipino men to “protect our women,” noting instances of catcalling that disrespect women and raise fear for their safety.
“As gentlemen, we have to protect [them] because we have to remember that we have sisters, mothers, and we just have to make them feel that this is a safe place for them.”
Aside from Villar, Binay, Sotto, Lacson, and Tulfo, other senatorial candidates of Alyansa are former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Lito Lapid, Senator Imee Marcos, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino.
