MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As part of the Women’s Month commemoration, female lawmakers will preside over Monday’s House of Representatives session.

As per the provisions of Rule IV of the House, namely Section 15(h), House Speaker Martin Romualdez appointed the subsequent members to lead the session in turn: 

The following are the Alona Partylist members:

•  Laarni Lavin Roque (4th District, Bukidnon)
• Josephine Veronique Noel (Malabon City)
• Glona Labadlabad (2nd District, Zamboanga del Norte)
• Marlyn Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan)
• Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan)
• Stella Luz Quimbo (2nd District, Marikina City)
• Maria Rachel Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan)
• Anna Marie Suarez (Alona Partylist)
• Laarni Lavin Roque (4th District, Bukidnon)
• Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan)

Rep. Maria Angela Garcia of the Bataan 3rd District will serve as the majority leader and head of the Bagong Henerasyon Party-list. The minority leader will be Representative Bernadette Herrera.

“Reflecting the importance the House leadership places on the role of its women members and Filipino women in general in lawmaking, nation building, and society,” Romualdez said in a news release on Sunday regarding the appointment of the female lawmakers as presiding officers and leaders.

The leadership of the House is an advocate for gender equality, gender balance, and women’s empowerment. 

When it comes to making important decisions that impact our families, communities, and country, women have consistently stepped to the fore. They are our solid moral cornerstones,” he remarked.

His wife, Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez of the Tingog Party-list, was called “the Speaker of my House” in expressing “deep gratitude” to her and his female colleagues and Filipino women.

He continued, “We thank them for their participation in nation-building, but especially for taking care of our households and families and pointing them in the direction of righteousness.”

Female legislators are expected to spearhead the approval of resolutions and enact laws that support women and children. 

The House will convene regular plenary sessions after its Committee of the Whole discussions on suggested economic constitutional reforms.

Sources:(1),(2),(3)

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