After a one-week postponement, the House of Representatives finally pushed through with its traditional all-women plenary session on Monday, March 13. Designated as House Speaker during Monday's session--an event in line with the ongoing Women's Month celebrations--was Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez. “It is an honor to be present today with fellow women who work tirelessly to make the Philippines a better place for our countrymen," Rep. Romualdez said during her opening remarks at 3 p.m. Monday. "Women are powerful agents of change, and the advancement of women in the society, including increased leadership and decision-making roles, is a positive indicator of progress for all of us,” added the chairperson of the Committee on Accounts. “Today, in line with our celebration of all womanhood this National Women’s Month, I welcome you all in this year’s all-women Session here in Congress. May this simple gesture of handing over power to the women be the platform for positive change as we continue to lead our nation to a kinder and gentler world for the next generation of women,” she further said. She pointed out that throughout the world, women have been "shattering glass ceilings and laying down a path for other women to walk on", from "fighting for the right of suffrage to now being able to lead nations and influence economies". “Women have become trailblazers and powerful figures in their own fields of specialization and the world can no longer deny us of our rightful place in society’s leadership,” Rep. Romualdez further said. Pursuant to Section 15 (H), Rule IV of the rules of the House, Speaker Martin Romualdez has designated Reps. Romualdez, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Florida “Rida” Robes, Rosanna “Ria” Vergara, Lorna Silverio, Anna York Bondoc, Ma. Lucille Nava, M.D., Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Midy Cua, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Margarita Nograles as presiding officers during Monday’s session. Meanwhile, the first solon to avail of the privilege hour during the session was Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality. Roman holds the distinction of being the first transgender woman to be elected to a House seat. "Let's make gender equality work for everyone and everywhere in our country," she appealed to the public in her privilege speech.