More women need to get into politics – Poe
SEN. Grace Poe on Thursday raised the need for more women to get involved in politics as they have the potential to be "transformational leaders." The senator made the call during The Manila Times Women's Circle forum with the theme: "Ladies Who Lead: Serving, Inspiring, Empowering Nation Builders." Filipino women have proven to "be pioneers and champions" in business, arts, sports, politics and many other significant fields, she said. However, Poe said women legislators "have always been in the minority. She said out of the current 23 senators, there are only seven women. "But what we lack in quantity, we make up for in quality," said Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. She used to lead the Committee on Public Services. She noted that the Senate or politics in general is traditionally seen as the bastion of men. "Today, the Philippines is at the crossroads as it faces another upcoming midterm elections [in May]," Poe said. Filipinos will elect over 18,000 officials: 12 senators, 254 district representatives, 63 party-list representatives and 17,942 governors, provincial board members, mayors and councilors, including parliamentary positions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. "Thus, the results of this electoral exercise can significantly determine the future. Sadly, however, historical data shows that women's representation in elective positions in the Philippines is disproportional," Poe said. She noted that in a survey done over the last national elections, it was observed that over 50 percent of registered voters were women. "In fact, women comprised 51.2 percent of registered voters in the 2022 elections, outnumbering men by 1.5 million," Poe said. "Yet, the percentage of women among candidates for elective positions averaged at only 20 percent," the senator said. "If you believe — as I do — that women have the potential to be transformational leaders, and in fact, are much better crisis managers than men — then we must do something to improve the political participation of women in the Philippines. Because empowered women empower the world," Poe said. She lauded The Manila Times for hosting the event to celebrate Women's month, and said she was glad to be part of the newspaper's forum on women. "Women can really put things together and organize things properly," Poe said, deviating from her prepared speech. "This month we honor women. These efforts have allowed others to live better lives. It is a time to raise greater awareness of women's rights and time to work harder to remove barriers to gender equality," she said. Poe also said that to promote inclusive growth, the government should ensure that all Filipinos — men and women — have "equal access to opportunities and are enabled to contribute to and share in the country's development." "The prosperity of a nation should be measured not by the number of rich men it has but by the absence of poverty, the access to quality education and affordable health care, the efficiency of their transport system and the level of gender equality," she said. Poe cited several laws that she authored to promote the welfare of women and children. These include Republic Act (RA) 11148, or the First 1,000 Days Act; RA 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act; RA 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act; RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act; and RA 10929, which seeks to provide free, reliable and secure internet access in public spaces.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
SEN. Grace Poe on Thursday raised the need for more women to get involved in politics as they have the potential to be "transformational leaders."
The senator made the call during The Manila Times Women's Circle forum with the theme: "Ladies Who Lead: Serving, Inspiring, Empowering Nation Builders."
Filipino women have proven to "be pioneers and champions" in business, arts, sports, politics and many other significant fields, she said.
However, Poe said women legislators "have always been in the minority. She said out of the current 23 senators, there are only seven women.
"But what we lack in quantity, we make up for in quality," said Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. She used to lead the Committee on Public Services.
She noted that the Senate or politics in general is traditionally seen as the bastion of men.
"Today, the Philippines is at the crossroads as it faces another upcoming midterm elections [in May]," Poe said.
Filipinos will elect over 18,000 officials: 12 senators, 254 district representatives, 63 party-list representatives and 17,942 governors, provincial board members, mayors and councilors, including parliamentary positions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
"Thus, the results of this electoral exercise can significantly determine the future. Sadly, however, historical data shows that women's representation in elective positions in the Philippines is disproportional," Poe said.
She noted that in a survey done over the last national elections, it was observed that over 50 percent of registered voters were women. "In fact, women comprised 51.2 percent of registered voters in the 2022 elections, outnumbering men by 1.5 million," Poe said.
"Yet, the percentage of women among candidates for elective positions averaged at only 20 percent," the senator said.
"If you believe — as I do — that women have the potential to be transformational leaders, and in fact, are much better crisis managers than men — then we must do something to improve the political participation of women in the Philippines. Because empowered women empower the world," Poe said.
She lauded The Manila Times for hosting the event to celebrate Women's month, and said she was glad to be part of the newspaper's forum on women.
"Women can really put things together and organize things properly," Poe said, deviating from her prepared speech.
"This month we honor women. These efforts have allowed others to live better lives. It is a time to raise greater awareness of women's rights and time to work harder to remove barriers to gender equality," she said.
Poe also said that to promote inclusive growth, the government should ensure that all Filipinos — men and women — have "equal access to opportunities and are enabled to contribute to and share in the country's development."
"The prosperity of a nation should be measured not by the number of rich men it has but by the absence of poverty, the access to quality education and affordable health care, the efficiency of their transport system and the level of gender equality," she said.
Poe cited several laws that she authored to promote the welfare of women and children. These include Republic Act (RA) 11148, or the First 1,000 Days Act; RA 11037, or the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act; RA 11642, or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act; RA 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act; and RA 10929, which seeks to provide free, reliable and secure internet access in public spaces.
