By Leonardo V. Micua
DAGUPAN CITY, (PNA) — For the second time in a row, Rep. Gina de Venecia (4th district, Pangasinan) was elected as president of the 79-strong Association of Women’s Legislators, Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), the official women’s coalition at the House of Representatives.
In her speech shortly after her reelection to the post, Rep. De Venecia said: “To achieve a sense of balance with our men-folks, it is important that the lady legislators band together.”
She said that while the present 16th Congress has the biggest number of lady legislators in history, at 79, “we’re still a minority, representing more than a fourth fraction of the total congressional membership.”
The wife of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. rallied her fellow women lawmakers to be resolute in wielding their will for gender equality issues, for peace, for education, for environment and sustainable development and for basic human rights.
She also reminded her fellow lady legislators to review and consider some 38 house bills filed at the Committee on Welfare of Children chaired by Rep. Aurora Cerilles, and another 21 house measures at the Committee on Women, under the chairmanship of Rep. Linabelle Villarica.
Addressing her colleagues after the election, De Venecia said, “You may consider the AWLFI as your own haven — where one’s success is the other’s pride and where one’s concern is the other’s mission.”
In her first term as president, during the 15th Congress, Rep. De Venecia transformed the 12 year-old coalition into a registered foundation at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
She likewise established the official headquarters of the foundation at Room 219 of the second floor of the South building of the House of Representatives complex.
The other newly elected officers of AWLFI, are Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan (4th District, Manila), Vice President for National Capital Region; Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan),Vice President for Luzon; Rep. Marie Anne Pernes (Lone District, Siquijor), Vice President for Visayas; Rep. Bai Sandra Sema (1st District, Maguindanao), Vice President for Mindanao; Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (CIBAC), Vice President for PartyList; Rep. Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City),Secretary; Rep. Elenita Milagros Ermita-Buhain (1st District, Batangas), Asst. Secretary; Rep. Evelina Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon), Treasurer; Rep. Elisa “Olga” Kho (2nd District, Masbate),Asst. Treasurer; Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona-Robredo (3rd District, Camarines Sur),Auditor; Rep. Sol Aragones (3rd District, Laguna), PRO; Rep. Magnolia Rosa Antonino-Nadres (4th District, Nueva Ecija),Asst. PRO; and Rep. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Muse.
The AWLFI Board of Advisers are: Rep. Henedia Abad (Lone District, Batanes), Rep. Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo (1st District, Lanao del Norte), Rep. Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas (3rd District, Pangasinan), Rep. Herminia Roman (1st District, Bataan, Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan (Party List, Gabriela), Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (Lone District, Aurora) and Rep. Ruby Sahali (Lone District, Tawi-Tawi).