As part of its annual tradition, the House of Representatives turned the floor over on Monday to its female members in celebration of Women’s Month.
Speaker Martin Romualdez released the list of women legislators who will preside over the session in accordance with their rules.
They include Reps. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (Bulacan), Stella Luz Quimbo (Marikina City), Maria Rachel Arenas (Pangasinan), Laarni Lavin Roque (Bukidnon), Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Malabon City), Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy (Caloocan City), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (Pangasinan), Glona Labadlabad (Zamboanga del Norte), Geraldine Roman (Bataan), and Marie Villaraza-Suarez (ALONA party-list).
Bataan Rep. Maria Angela Garcia will act as House majority leader, while Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera will work as the minority leader.
Romualdez said their designation as presiding officers and leaders “reflects the importance the House leadership puts on the role of its women members and Filipino women” in the areas of lawmaking, nation building, and in our society, in general.
The Speaker counts himself among champions of women empowerment, gender equality and gender balance, citing women have constantly become the guidepost in making critical decisions affecting the families, communities, and nation.
“They are our strong moral pillars,” he said.
He expressed his deep gratitude to his women colleagues, to the Filipino women, and especially “to the Speaker of my House,” referring to his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, the chairperson of the House committee on accounts.
“We thank them not only for their participation in nation building but particularly in tending to our households and caring or helping care for our families and guiding them to the path of righteousness,” Speaker Romualdez said.
At present, there are 81 women lawmakers in the 19th Congress, according to the House of Representatives Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI) where Villarica also sits as president.
The AWLFI works specifically to advance the legislative agenda of women in Congress.