Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bodjie” Dy III formally takes his oath as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, following the resignation of Martin Romualdez. Lawmakers witnessed the transition, which marks a significant political shift in the lower chamber.
Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday called for stronger efforts to build a more inclusive ASEAN, stressing the need to ensure women have real decision-making power in governance. During the 5th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Dy said governments must go beyond gender responsiveness and work toward transforming systems that limit women’s participation.“As we pursue a future-ready and inclusive ASEAN, we must move beyond gender-responsiveness toward true transformation— reshaping systems, dismantling barriers, and ensuring women have real decision-making power,” Dy said. “We envision parliaments where participation is safe, meaningful, and the norm— not the exception,” Dy, also AIPA president, added.Dy also highlighted the Philippines’ National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, now in its fourth iteration, as proof of the country’s commitment to inclusion.“Inclusion is measured not by presence, but by impact. It also calls for a broader understanding of peace and governance. Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is trust in institutions and in the future. When women lead, peace becomes more durable,” Dy said.The meeting was held virtually, with Dy citing ongoing conflicts in the Middle East or West Asia and their impact on ASEAN and AIPA engagements.House Deputy Speaker Maria Rachel Arenas said the virtual gathering reflects the region’s resilience amid challenges. “Though we gather today through extraordinary circumstances, our presence here sends an extraordinary message– that even in uncertain times, leadership does not pause. Cooperation does not weaken, and the work of building a better future must continue,” Arenas said.“Today, by choosing dialogue over delay and action over hesitation, we prove that ASEAN’s spirit remains strong,” Arenas added.For AIPA Secretary General Dr. Chem Widhya, gender-transformative parliaments are defined by systems and legislative outcomes, and not just representation.“Inclusion must be embedded as a duty put into practice, bearing in mind the indispensable role of women in peace and security as well as in shaping our societies day by day,” Widhya said.Laguna 1st District Representative and WAIPA Chairperson Ann Matibag is set to preside over plenary discussions, which will include talks on the Women’s Political Participation and Leadership 2024–2030 framework, according to the Office of the House Speaker.Delegates from several ASEAN countries,  including Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, also took part in the meeting.<div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/palace-asean-summit-preps-unaffected-by-impeachment-hearings-flood-control-mess-1628">Palace: ASEAN Summit preps unaffected by impeachment hearings, flood control mess</a></div>

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday called for stronger efforts to build a more inclusive ASEAN, stressing the need to ensure women have real decision-making power in governance.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday called for stronger efforts to build a more inclusive ASEAN, stressing the need to ensure women have real decision-making power in governance.

Dy calls for ‘inclusive ASEAN,’ pushes for women’s decision-making power

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Dy calls for ‘inclusive ASEAN,’ pushes for women’s decision-making power

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 27, 2026 03:23 PM PHT

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ASEAN

House of Representatives

women

inclusivity

WAIPA

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