By this time next week, the Philippines will have a new President and Vice President. While Rodrigo Duterte and Bong Bong Marcos have spent many weeks at the top of various surveys for President and VP, recently, Grace Poe and Leni Robredo have seen their share of gains in surveys and popular support. I had not originally thought that Grace Poe would have enough support to compete with the other candidates, but am seeing now that a win for her would not be so far-fetched. Leni Robredo started out with little support but as people have gotten to know her, her support has grown. And recently she has started tying with or overtaking Marcos in polls for the Vice Presidential spot.
So, bear with me for a moment as I allow myself to imagine what it might be like to have two women leading the Philippines. Women in both the Presidential and Vice Presidential seats would not only be making history here in the Philippines, but in the world as well.
But just because a leader is a woman does not automatically make her a women’s champion. Take Former President Gloria Arroyo for example. She was staunchly against the Reproductive Health Bill as president. As someone who has long supported and called for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health Law, I am anxious to make sure our next leaders support reproductive health and support the right of all women to be able to control the number and spacing of their children. I also believe in women’s empowerment and in gender equality.
Will Grace and Leni support these rights?
Grace Poe is running on a platform with a focus on the issues of Poverty Alleviation, Opportunities for Children and Electoral Reforms. Through her party, Greens PH, she will also be working on various issues including sustainability, social justice, democracy, peace and non-violence and personal integrity. More information on her platform is available on her campaign website.
Last week Poe launched her Agenda for Women which aims to advance the equality and rights of women using the Magna Carta of Women as a framework from which to build on. Her focus on poverty alleviation is anchored on families, and improving the quality of life for families and children also prop up quality of life for women and girls. She voted for the RH Law in the Senate and has stated that she will uphold it if elected president.
Leni Robredo is running on a platform of commitments to three core issues: Zero Hunger, Shared Prosperity, and Gender Equality. On her campaign website, she also highlights her views and plans on the issues of Good Governance, Pro-Poor, Social Welfare, Infrastructure and Security.
Robredo tackles Gender Equality directly, saying “Matagal akong manananggol ng kababaihang biktima ng karahasan at humihingi ng pagkakapantay-pantay. Susi ang bigyan sila ng sariling kakayahang magtaguyod ng kanilang pamilya.” [“I’ve long defended women who were victims of abuse and who only wanted equality. The key is to give each of them the means to raise their own families based on their own situations.”]
So the answer to my question is, yes. Both Grace Poe and Leni Robredo would support the issues that are most important to me.
I decided long ago to vote for Leni Robredo for Vice President, but had not intended to vote for Grace Poe. I have a few more days to research her platform and statements to decide if she or Mar Roxas will win my vote for President.
I urge all my fellow citizens who are registered voters to exercise your right to vote next week. May the best (wo)men win!