By Leslie Ann Aquino
To encourage more Filipinas to run in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tapped actress Kathryn Bernardo in their pro-women campaign.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said Ms. Bernardo was chosen to help promote gender equality in political participation because she has exemplified the talent and ability of Filipino women of all ages.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez (photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin file photo)
"This has made her a powerful role model, particularly for the youth," he said in an interview.
"In a political landscape that would benefit tremendously from greater participation of women, she is a fitting voice to deliver the Comelec-Gender and Development message encouraging women to participate in elections, not just to register as voters but to run for posts," Jimenez added.
Previously, the poll official said that while there are more female registered voters, there are more male-elected officials.
"Women make up half the population, then it does logically follow that they should be just as involved in governance as men are. But as things stand, they aren’t," said Jimenez at that time.
Based on Comelec data, there were a total of 212,922 female candidates in the 2013 barangay polls as compared to the 605,776 male bets.
This resulted in 86,377 females and 246,410 males, who won barangay posts.
In the 2010 SK polls, there were a total of 263,587 girls that ran as compared to the 261,287 boy candidates.
This also resulted in the election of 134,558 girls and 137,872 boys as SK officials.
The Comelec has set the period of the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the village and youth polls from April 14 to 20.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez (photo by Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin file photo)
"This has made her a powerful role model, particularly for the youth," he said in an interview.
"In a political landscape that would benefit tremendously from greater participation of women, she is a fitting voice to deliver the Comelec-Gender and Development message encouraging women to participate in elections, not just to register as voters but to run for posts," Jimenez added.
Previously, the poll official said that while there are more female registered voters, there are more male-elected officials.
"Women make up half the population, then it does logically follow that they should be just as involved in governance as men are. But as things stand, they aren’t," said Jimenez at that time.
Based on Comelec data, there were a total of 212,922 female candidates in the 2013 barangay polls as compared to the 605,776 male bets.
This resulted in 86,377 females and 246,410 males, who won barangay posts.
In the 2010 SK polls, there were a total of 263,587 girls that ran as compared to the 261,287 boy candidates.
This also resulted in the election of 134,558 girls and 137,872 boys as SK officials.
The Comelec has set the period of the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the village and youth polls from April 14 to 20.