Manila: On the eve of election day, Liset Taylo, 53, prepares a list of candidates she will vote for — from senators down to the municipal councilors. Taylo isn’t new to elections. She’s seen presidents and senators come and go. But each election, she said it still feels like being stuck on crossroads. Taylo is one of the 68.4 million registered Filipino voters heading to the polls this Monday, aside from some 1.3 million overseas. Across the country, more than 18,000 positions are up for grabs — from senators and congressional representatives to governors, provincial board members, mayors, and councilors. ‘I don’t take this lightly,’ she said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency. ‘Voting is one of the few powers we have left. So I vote for the ones who I think actually care.’ This time, she’s thinking more not just about platforms and promises, but about the kind of leaders she wants to see, especially women.
According to Philippines News Agency, from Oct. 1 to 8, 2024, at least 43,033 filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 12 national and local elections. Commission on Elections (Comelec) data show over 78 percent were men. Women, meanwhile, continue to hold just about one-fourth of all elected government seats, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). ‘Both men and women are capable of running our country. The challenge for voters like us is to choose the right candidate who will perform their duties,’ Taylo said. ‘Siyempre, research muna kung deserving sila di ba. Research ‘yung background like, may pinag-aralan ba o may nagawa na ba siya para sa bayan (Of course, you need to research if they are deserving. Research about the background, like their education or anything they have done for the nation already),’ she said.
As of 2024, the PSA said the projected population of women is 56.6 million, while that of men is 57.6 million. Women comprise 23.3 percent of elected government officials in 2024, or a total 3,170. Meanwhile, men hold 76.7 percent or 10,388 seats, from the national government down to the local government. ‘I think it’s partly our history,’ Taylo said. ‘Women were only allowed to vote in 1937. That’s not even 100 years ago. And until now, some people still think men make better leaders. That’s the kind of thinking we have to change.’
Her sentiments echoed the findings of the 2023 Gender Social Norms Index by the United Nations Development Programme, which revealed that almost all Filipinos, men and women alike, hold some kind of bias against women. ‘While male politicians have been around for a long time, seemingly experienced already in policy-making and all, females offer diverse perspectives about our nation. They advocate social issues, and promote gender equality, kaya tama rin na sila ay mahalal (that’s why it’s also right that they become elected),’ she said. ‘Some male candidates look down on female candidates, maybe because of toxic culture, insecurities, toxic culture, or they are not open to diversity. Nevertheless, they have to show respect for the women,’ she added.
First-time voter, Maricar Estor, 20, said she would vote for candidates who have respect for women and children and who would create policies benefiting the marginalized, the elderly, the sick and students like her. ‘Pipiliin ko po ‘yung mga kandidato na susuporta sa edukasyon, na pagbubutihin ang school facilities, improve ang sweldo at kalagayan ng mga guro at hindi corrupt (I will choose candidates advocating education, those who will improve school facilities and the conditions and salary of teachers and who are not corrupt),’ she said.
Last March, a coalition of women’s rights groups called on midterm election candidates to push for measures that prioritize women and youth rights. Earlier this year, another women’s group released a clear call to action: Candidates must push for laws that support women’s rights. The Caucus of Women Organizations noted these measures include the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention; Magna Carta of Children; Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy; gender-responsive Climate Action; Climate and Environmental Defenders Protection; divorce; Menstrual Leave; SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression) equality; amendments to and stronger implementation of the Safe Spaces Act; and creation of a policy on humane wage increase.
Women are easy victims of violence at work and in society, targets of threats when defending causes, and casualties in times of disaster, they said. Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita said voters must choose gender-sensitive candidates who support policies on education, health, livelihood, and safety of women and the vulnerable. ‘These candidates also advocate for equal opportunities in employment, public service, and leadership in all fields of life,’ she said.
