Some women are naturally gifted with leadership and business instincts so they deserve to be treated as equal partners to progress, not only inside households but in workplaces, too, according to Partido Reporma standard-bearer Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson.

The presidential candidate issued the statement in an interview over radio DZRH Wednesday (March 9) in celebration of National Women’s Month, which recognizes the achievements and contributions of women in our society and the vital role that they play towards nation-building.

Lacson said statistics have shown that more women in the Philippines are thriving in leadership roles, especially in the business sector, where they are commonly found in the “upper echelon” holding key managerial positions.

“So, huwag natin matahin ‘yung mga babae. Kasi maski ‘nung nag-pandemya maraming kababaihan, maraming mga maybahay, mas kumita pa kaysa sa mga asawa nila (So, we should never underestimate women. Because even during the height of the pandemic, a lot of women who were wives earned more money than their husbands),’’ Lacson said in his radio interview.

“Kasi habang nag-aalaga ng bata o kaya nasa bahay, natuto sila ng mga livelihood projects, at ‘yung iba kinareer na nila. Alam mo, ‘yung online na mga pagbebenta ng kung anu-ano? Maraming ganoong success stories sa mga babae (Because while they are taking care of children or staying at home, they are learning about livelihood projects, and some of them made careers out of it. Did you know about ‘online selling’ where you sell different things? Women have a lot of success stories from it),’’ he added.

Lacson and his running mate Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ C. Sotto III regarded the women in their lives as among the most influential people for them. They even frequently mention in their political speeches that they are not afraid of anyone, except their wives. They said that’s how much respect they have for them.

The Partido Reporma chief is married to Alice de Perio-Lacson with whom he has four sons.

Sotto, meanwhile, is married to Helen Gamboa-Sotto and they are parents to three daughters and a son, who followed their footsteps in show business and politics.

Lacson already stated previously that under his presidency, women can expect to be given equal opportunities as men to hold key positions in government because he also strongly advocates gender equity with due respect to Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women.

‘’So, aside from having gender equality, we have enough laws—the Magna Carta of Women. We must never undervalue the women because, first of all, they are the real bosses in our respective households.’’ he added.

A study conducted by Grant Thornton International in its 2021 Women in Business Report showed that Filipino women took on 48 percent of senior leadership positions, which ranked the Philippines number one in a list of 29 economies surveyed on the role of women in senior management.