Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

PILI, Camarines Sur--Members of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate only had good things to say about women during a press conference here Friday, March 7 as they joined the continuing celebration of Women's Month.

Alyansa bets Makati City Mayor Abby Binay and Las Pin̈as City lone district Rep. Camille Villar led the slate in extolling women for their strength and resilience, particularly in keeping the family intact while also pursuing their careers.

Binay said that even if the Philippines has been doing “so much better than other countries” in terms of women empowerment, more could still be done. She lamented that few women serve in government, and that the corporate world remains dominated by men.

She rallied Filipino women to continue pursuing their dreams, and even cited as an example her and Villar’s bids for senator in the May 2025 mid-term elections.

“If we can do it, so can you...If we are running for a national position even if we’re already mothers, even if we still need to take care of our families, we can still have a career…if we can do it, so can other women," Binay said.

Villar, for her part, said that during her time as congresswoman, she offered programs that provided additional livelihoods as well as scholarships, and authored bills that give maternity benefits and equal pay for women workers.

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, whose mother, Dra. Herminia Castelo-Sotto founded the Women’s Rights Program and was president emeritus of the Kababaihan Rizalista in the Philippines, hailed women for their role in shaping the country.

“Sa akin, and I’ve said this before, that definitely napakahalaga ng role ng mga kababaihan (For me, and I've said this before, definitely, women play a huge role.)

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay (left), Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

For former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, women should be celebrated all-year and not just for a day or for a month, as he attested to the importance of women in society.

He says women are the very reason why there are laws on gender equality, equal opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. and former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, called on Filipino men to “protect our women" as he noted instances of catcalling that disrespect women and raise fear for their safety.

“As gentlemen, we have to protect [them] because we have to remember that we have sisters, mothers, and we just have to make them feel that this is a safe place for them.”