Cover (Photo: Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Foundation INC)
(Photo: Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Foundation INC)
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We list down public servants who paved the way for future female leaders of the Philippines
The male-dominated Philippine political landscape has welcomed a few female figures every once in a while. Relentless women have paved the way for future generations of female leaders by fighting for their beliefs and upholding the rights of their fellow Filipinas.
Looking at the bigger picture, women's empowerment still has a long way to go in the Philippines. Still, let us revisit the legacies left behind by some of the most influential female public servants, such as Remmy Ignacio Rikken, Liza Maza, Cecilia Muñoz Palma, and more.
In case you missed it: The Evolution of Maria Clara: Who are the Current Filipinas of Today?
1. Remmy Ignacio Rikken
Above Remmy Ignacio Rikken (Photo: Legal HD)
Remmy Ignacio Rikken (Photo: Legal HD)
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Remmy Ignacio Rikken is a respected figure in the country, especially after she pioneered Philippine Development Plan for Women (1987-1991). Fondly called a high priestess or "Babaylan of the Philippines", Rikken was appointed by the late President Corazon Aquino as executive director of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women. Now, this institution is known as Philippine Commission on Women.
2. Cecilia Muñoz Palma
Cecilia Muñoz Palma was the first female jurist appointed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines. She earned her law degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law and her Master of Laws degree from the prestigious Yale Law School. In 1936, Palma was also the first woman to be elected president of the Law student council.
Palma was also elected as an assemblywoman at the Batasang Pambansa. After the 1986 People Power uprising, she was appointed chairwoman of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution.
Related: Opinion: Remembering the origins of International Women’s Day is key to our feminism today
3. Liza Maza
Above Liza Maza (Photo: Mark Demayo/ ABS-CBN News)
Liza Maza (Photo: Mark Demayo/ ABS-CBN News)
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Filipina activist Liza Maza was the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission under former President Rodrigo Duterte until her resignation in August 2018. She was also a member of the House of Representatives, representing Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's party, respectively.
During her stint, Maza penned 18 bills and 24 resolutions as Bayan Muna's representative and 53 bills and 120 resolutions as Gabriela's representative. These include the Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653), The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344), the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), the Philippine Nursing Act (RA 9173), Anti-Torture Law (RA 9745) and the Anti-Violence in Women and Children Act (RA 9262).
See also: Tatler Review: Why People Hated The Ending Of "Promising Young Woman" (2020)
4. Leticia Ramos-Shahani
Above Leticia Ramos-Shahani (Photo: GMA News/Twitter)
Leticia Ramos-Shahani (Photo: GMA News/Twitter)
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Leticia Ramos-Shahani was the first Filipina to become President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 1993. She headed the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Agriculture, and Committee on Education, Culture and Arts.
She penned laws including the creation of the Regional Consultative Commission for Muslim Mindanao (R.A. 6649); the strengthening of the rights of workers to self-organisation, collective bargaining and peaceful concerted activities (R.A. 6715); and the establishment of a Total Development and Protection of Children Program for Barangay Day Care Centers in the Philippines (R.A. 6972).
5. Santanina Rasul
Above Santanina Rasul (Photo: Jude Bautista Gallery)
Santanina Rasul (Photo: Jude Bautista Gallery)
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Santiana Rasul is the Philippines' first Muslim senator. She was the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Civil Service and Government Recognition, and Women and Family Relations during her term.
Rasul authored legislation that concerns women's rights, Muslim affairs, and gender equality. In 1995, she and the late senator Raul Roco co-authored the Republic Act No. 7192 or the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act which eventually opened the doors of the Philippine Military Academy to women.
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