Women lawmakers vow to protect women’s, children’s rights

Female members of the House of Representatives elected yesterday the officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc., with promise to empower women and children’s protection by passing measures that will champion their interests.

Elected president was Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica, who, along with the rest took their oath as AWLF officers of the current 17th Congress (2016-2019) before Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Juliette Uy is AWLFI vice president for Mindanao, while Bagong Henerasyon (BH) partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy is the organization’s secretary.

“AWLFI will continue to advance the interests of the communities each member represents in Congress,” Uy said.

“The group will also work on protecting women and children affected by disasters, calamities and other crisis situations,” Herrera-Dy said.

Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez, wife of defeated senatorial candidate Martin Romualdez, vowed to support women’s causes and advocacies in Congress by passing legislation that will help their interests.

“We will continue to work on empowering women and children to champion our interests, especially on gender equality issues and health concerns,” she said, after taking her oath before Alvarez. Romualdez was elected representative of AWLFI neophyte lady lawmakers.

“Our group will be resolute in enhancing public awareness of maternal and child health, proper nutrition, peace, education, environment and sustainable development, basic human rights and diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV,” she added.

Other officers who took their oath were Reps. Rose Marie Arenas as senior vice-president; Imelda Rubiano as vicepresident for NCR; Eliza Kho as vice president for Luzon; Gwendolyn Garcia as vice president for Visayas; Emerenciana de Jesus as vice president for party-list.

Reps. Ana Cristina Go, Maria Carmen Zamora, Vilma Santos-Recto and Corazon Malanyaon, advisers; Estrella Suansing, muse; Florida Robes, business manager; Maria Cristina Roa-Puno, Geraldine Roman and Sol Aragones, public relations officers;

Reps. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, assistant secretary; Evelina Escudero, treasurer; Lorna Silverio, assistant treasurer; Joesphine Sato, auditor; Mercedes Alvarez, Henedina Abad, Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Bai Sandra Sema as advisers.

Other officers who were not able to attend were Reps. Rosanna Vergara, assistant auditor; former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano as senior advisers.