Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Oath-Taking of the Newly Elected Officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI) of the 20th Congress

Thank you very much.

Well, first of all, allow me to greet, again, as I refer to you the former tenant of Malacañan Palace and Pampanga Second District Representative, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; the honorable members of the House of the Representatives; the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. and the founder and co-president of this organization, Representative Gina de Venecia; the co-president is Representative Linabelle Ruth Villarica; and the newly elected officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. of the 20th Congress; all my fellow workers in government; distinguished guests…Hindi na ladies and gentlemen. Ladies, good morning and once again, welcome to Malacañan Palace.

I have to admit this – it is very unusual for me to have this audience where I am the only torn among the roses. [laughter]

It’s a very pleasant sensation, I must say.

So, before anything else, allow me to congratulate the newly elected officers of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. or the AWLFI of the 20th Congress.

Your election reflects, once again, your confidence in your colleagues and the faith that they have placed in your leadership. It marks the continuation of a mission that has long strengthened the voice of Filipino women in our democratic institutions.

Since its establishment, the AWLFI has served as the collective voice and conscience of women legislators in the House of Representatives. You have rooted it in the commitment to gender equality and women empowerment, and your organization brings together female leaders across all political affiliations. That’s the very important point.

Here, advocacy has risen above partisanship. It becomes a space where collaboration flourishes, shared values guide action, and meaningful solutions emerge for the benefit of our people. Through your work, women and the youth gain support to develop their potential, pursue their dreams, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The work before you continues to be vital and important as it always has been.

Because in the Philippines, women, they still remain underrepresented in governance.

As of January this year, our country ranked 86th in the world in terms of percentage of women serving in national parliaments— that is a decline from our 82nd ranking in December of 2022.

Women’s participation in the labor force also is facing a challenge.

As of January of this year, 50.7 percent of women were part of the labor force, compared with almost 74 percent of men.

These realities remind us that empowering women requires sustained action—from expanding opportunities in education and employment to ensuring greater representation in leadership and in governance.

With this in mind, this Administration has vowed to broaden opportunities for women—ensuring that you are heard, that you are respected, and that you are empowered in society.

Parallel with this, we continue to intensify the implementation of programs for victims of violence against women and children.

This Administration is also promoting programs that advance the welfare and empowerment of Filipino women.

Through the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD, women receive capital assistance, skills training, and employment facilitation.

Mahalaga ang programang ito upang matuto ang ating kababaihan na magsimula ng negosyo, makahanap ng trabaho, at magkaroon ng sariling kakayahan para kumita.

The Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS empowers communities to gain better access to government and take part in decisions and anti-poverty programs that affect their development.

Sa programang ito, nagkakaroon ang mga Pilipino ng pagkakataon na makiisa sa lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpaplano at pagpapatupad ng mga programa na magpapagaan sa kanilang pamumuhay [sa] araw-araw.

Through the Pag-abot Program, we provide assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged women who find themselves in street situation.

Tinutulungan nito ang ating kababaihan na makabalik nang ligtas sa kanilang pinanggalingan. Para naman sa mga nangangailangan, maaari silang pansamantalang tumira sa ating mga residential facilities.

Our collective efforts to advance the rights and welfare of women are contributing to crucial progress. According to the Global Gap Report of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines improved its standing in gender parity from ranking 25th globally in 2024 and we are now 20th in 2025.

And the efforts of the AWLFI continue to reinforce our nation’s commitment to gender equality and social protection.

Through your advocacy for laws that safeguard women and children and your initiatives such as the annual All-Women Session, you highlight the indispensable role of women in nation-building.

Kaya’t sa mga bagong opisyal ng AWLFI, ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang pagbibigay-lakas sa ating mga kababaihan—mga ina, mga manggagawa, guro, lider, at mga batang babae na nangangarap ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan.

Kasama rin dito ang ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat na nagsusumikap para sa kanilang mga pamilya, para sa ating bayan.

Carry forward the values that define true public service: excellence, integrity, and enduring passion.

Because for too many women and girls, the promise of opportunity remains distant—they are silenced by poverty, by violence, by traditions that deny women their rightful place.

Yet we know this truth, that when woman have a chance to learn, to work, and to lead, she does not rise alone because she lifts with her, her family, her community, and that way, her nation.

Sa sama-sama nating pagkilos, naitatag natin ang isang Pilipinas na mas makatarungan, na mas maunlad, at mas puno ng pag-asa para sa susunod na henerasyon.

And to put it very simply and this is the way I encapsulated it when I spoke in the United Nations for the women’s community, it’s really quite simple: Women must be always be included in the halls where decisions are made especially when those decisions affect women’s lives.

Therefore, we are talking about education for girls. We are talking about justice for women who have – who are still seeking justice. We are talking about support.

We, in the Philippines, do better. We are actually do – we have – we are the best performers in this regard in Asia. But there’s a – there’s still much that we can do.

And despite the fact that we define the Philippines as essentially a matriarchal society, that only means that we have a great respect for our women.

But maybe society needs to be structured even better so that women have a greater part in the decisions that determine the lives and the careers and the future of all women.

So, let us work together. We’ll have me as your ally. I have – I have in my life, certainly as you all know, my history, I’m surrounded by very, very strong women and I am very lucky for it.

So, let us continue to – let us continue to encourage that continuing aspect of Filipino life in Filipino culture.

Maraming salamat.

Congratulations sa inyong lahat.

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas

[applause]

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