PCW lauds P-Noy’s record number of women appointees in top posts
In support of P-Noy’s campaign for “tuwid na daan” (straight path), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) has adopted the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” for this year’s Women’s Month Celebration to recognize women’s contributions to and active involvement in bringing about transparent, accountable and effective governance.
P-Noy’s regard for women’s leadership ability is apparent in his appointments of at least 71 women in top government posts, the most number of women ever appointed by a President in one term.
“P-Noy appointed women in top posts that are traditionally held by men and this breakthrough deserves to be lauded,” PCW Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken said. She added that women appointees, one of whom is Maria Lourdes Sereno, the first woman Chief Justice of the country, serve as “pillars” for the “tuwid na daan” campaign.
Women appointees holding non-traditional government posts are: Secretary Leila M. De Lima, Department of Justice (DOJ); Secretary Teresita Q. Deles, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); Secretary Julia Andrea R. Abad, Presidential Management Staff (PMS); Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Commission on Human Rights (CHR); Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Office of the Ombudsman (OMB); Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan, Commission on Audit (COA); Commissioner Kim J. Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); and Panel Member for Talks with the MILF Miriam Coronel Ferrer, OPAPP.
Other appointees include: Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis Baldoz, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); Chairperson Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); Chairperson Teresita J. Herbosa, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Chairperson Maria Serena I. Diokno, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP); Chairperson Imelda M. Nicolas, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO); and Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan, Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Rikken is also one of the women appointees.
From 42% in 2011, the percentage of women occupying third level government posts rose to 46% in 2012, according to the Career Executive Service Board (CESB).
“Appointing women in positions that matter leads to a stronger bureaucracy and that means good governance,” Rikken said. She added that that the Philippines is “on the right track” in advancing women and leadership agenda in the bureaucracy. “Never in Philippine history has there been this many women appointees,” she said.
