Poe: We need more women in politics

Senator Grace Poe, the potential running mate of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in the 2016 elections, on Thursday urged the Filipino electorate to put more women in government positions. 

 

"I believe that women can be effective leaders not only in business, but also in public service. Naniniwala akong may mahalagang nadadala ang pagiging babae sa pamumuno," Poe said in a speech delivered at the Philippine International Convention Center attended mostly by female entrepreneurs.

 

"Although there are many women public officials, they are still the minority," the senator said, adding that women also have a better understanding of the needs of the youth. 

 

Poe noted that only 48 percent of people in decision-making positions in the country are women. 

 

In the Senate, there are only six female legislators out of 24. Apart from Poe, the other women senators are Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and Cynthia Villar. 

 

There are 60 women representatives sitting in the present 16th Congress, representing only 25.6 percent of the total 234 members. 

 

"Magkaiba ang karanasan ng kalalakihan at kababaihan, at mahalagang kapwa sila nasa posisyon ng kapangyarihan at impluwensiya para mabigyan ng konsiderasyon sa proseso ng pagpapasya at pagbubuo ng polisiya ang kanilang kakaibang kalagayan," Poe said. 

 

Poe recently said she is being wooed by Roxas to be his running mate in the 2016 national polls under the ruling Liberal Party. 

 

In case she pursues the vice-presidential position next year, Poe will become the second female vice president of the Philippines, next to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was vice president from 1998 to 2001. —KG, GMA News