Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773729543823650015375_1350387040447352_776076116376452350_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PCO</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Filipino women remain underrepresented in governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the oath-taking of the officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;As of January this year, our country ranked 86th in the world in terms of percentage of women serving in national parliaments. That is a decline from our 82nd ranking in December of 2022,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>He also pointed out the inequality among men and women in terms of labor.</p><p>&quot;Women’s participation in the labor force also is facing a challenge. As of January of this year, 50.7 percent of women were part of the labor force, compared with almost 74 percent of men,&quot; he said.</p><p>The President said his administration was working on initiatives that empower women in Philippine society.</p><p>&quot;Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD, women receive capital assistance, skills training, and employment facilitation,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;Mahalaga ang programang ito upang matuto ang ating kababaihan na magsimula ng negosyo, makahanap ng trabaho, at magkaroon ng sariling kakayahan para kumita,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/10/marcos-recognizes-women-in-nation-building-when-women-lead-nations-move-forward-0929">Marcos recognizes women in nation-building: ‘When women lead, nations move forward’</a></div><p>Marcos said the “Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services” or KALAHI-CIDSS also empowers communities to gain better access to government and take part in decisions and anti-poverty programs that affect their development.</p><div> </div><p>&quot;Sa programang ito, nagkakaroon ang mga Pilipino ng pagkakataon na makiisa sa lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpaplano at pagpapatupad ng mga programa na magpapagaan sa kanilang pamumuhay [sa] araw-araw,&quot; the President said. </p><p>He said efforts to address gender parity have led to some positive results.</p><p>&quot;Our collective efforts to advance the rights and welfare of women are contributing to crucial progress. According to the Global Gap Report of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines improved its standing in gender parity from ranking 25th globally in 2024 and we are now 20th in 2025,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>Marcos recently went to New York to speak at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.</p><p>&quot;And to put it very simply and this is the way I encapsulated it when I spoke in the United Nations for the women’s community, it’s really quite simple: Women must be always be included in the halls where decisions are made especially when those decisions affect women’s lives,&quot; he said.</p><p>Several women leaders attended the oath taking, including former President and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pangasinan Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia, and Bulacan Fourth District Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica.</p><p>&quot;So, let us work together. We’ll have me as your ally.  I have – I have in my life, certainly as you all know, my history, I’m surrounded by very, very strong women and I am very lucky for it,&quot; Marcos said.    </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/3/17/sining-filipina-honors-filipino-women-artists-during-women-s-month-1315">Sining Filipina honors Filipino women artists during Women’s Month</a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/1/-lead-like-the-babaylan-pcw-kickstarts-women-s-month-1243">&#x27;Lead Like the Babaylan:&#x27; PCW kickstarts Women’s Month</a></div>

<p>Filipino women remain underrepresented in governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the oath-taking of the officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc on Tuesday.</p>

Filipino women remain underrepresented in governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during the oath-taking of the officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc on Tuesday.

Marcos: Filipino women remain underrepresented in governance

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Marcos: Filipino women remain underrepresented in governance

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 17, 2026 02:44 PM PHT

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Updated March 17, 2026 07:53 PM PHT

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Bongbong Marcos Jr

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