MARCH 9, 2026 — Today at 3 p.m., the House of Representatives will flip the script: women legislators will preside over the plenary, deliver privilege speeches, and lead the session in celebration of National Women’s Month. It’s not just ceremonial — it’s a deliberate spotlight on the “vital role women play in shaping laws,” as House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos put it.

This annual tradition is more than symbolic. It’s a reminder that women are not just participants in politics. They are drivers of change. 

Deputy Speaker Janette Garin, Pangasinan Rep. Gina de Venecia, Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Villarica, and several others will take turns as presiding officers. The lineup is impressive, spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, showing that women’s leadership is not confined to one region or one issue.

Privilege speeches will cover a wide spectrum of concerns: Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla will tackle the struggles of the middle class, Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula will highlight indigenous women’s rights, and Tarlac Rep. Maria Cristina Angeles will push for financial independence as a path to empowerment. Bukidnon Rep. Audrey Kay Zubiri will confront the grim realities of human trafficking, while Ako Ilocano Ako Rep. Richelle Singson will shed light on the care economy and child protection.

Other topics are equally urgent: teenage pregnancy, the state of young women in schools, entrepreneurship, and the continuing fight for gender equality. 

Bukidnon Rep. Laarni Lavin Roque’s “Babaylan Rising” promises to be a cultural and spiritual reflection, reminding us that women’s power has deep roots in Philippine history.

The House is also set to deliberate on House Bill No. 7704, which seeks to expand prohibited acts of discrimination in employment against women and on the basis of gender. If passed, this amendment to the Labor Code could mean stronger protections for women in the workplace — a concrete step beyond speeches and resolutions.

And because empowerment isn’t limited to politics, the chamber will also adopt a resolution congratulating tennis star Alexandra Eala for reaching world No. 31 in the Women’s Tennis Association rankings. Her rise is proof that Filipinas can dominate not just in governance but also on the global sports stage.

What does this all mean? It means visibility. It means that issues often sidelined, like teenage pregnancy or the care economy, are being given prime time on the legislative floor. It means that women are not just being “recognized” but are actively shaping the national conversation.

This session is a reminder that women’s struggles are everyone’s struggles. When laws are crafted with women in mind, they ripple outward, strengthening families, communities, and institutions. 

The challenge, of course, is consistency. Will these speeches translate into sustained legislative action, or will they fade once the month-long celebration ends?

(Image: House of Representatives of the Philippines | Facebook)