Previous Positions
Educator/Trainer
Lecturer in Economics, 4th year High School, St. Scholastica's College,1979-1980Director — Third World Studies and Resource Program, St. Scholastica's College, Manila, 1980Executive Officer — National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA), 1982Executive Director — Women’s Center for Development Education and International Studies, 1986Executive Officer — GABRIELA National Office, 1987-1989Secretary General — GABRIELA National Alliance of Women, 1992-2007Chairperson — Gabriela Women’s Party 2000-2011Member of the Executive Committee and Regional Coordinator for Asia — Women's International Democratic Federation, 2001-2002Chairperson — International Women’s Alliance (IWA), 2011-2015Chairperson — GABRIELA National Alliance of Women, 2009-2012General Secretary, International League of Peoples’ StrugglesPast Electoral History
Congresswoman, Gabriela Women’s Party (2004, 2007 elections)Congresswoman, Bayan Muna Party (2001 election)Government Positions
Secretary and Lead Convenor, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Office of the President (2016–2018)Congresswoman, Gabriela Women’s Party (2004–2010)Congresswoman, Bayan Muna Party (2001–2004)
Authored and Co-Authored Laws
Authored 71 bills while serving in Congress.Major Bills Authored
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003: institutes policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children.Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262): Provides legal protection and support for women and children facing domestic violence.Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710): Provides legal protection and support for women and children facing domestic violence. – state the primary duty bearer of protection and promotion of women’s rightsDivorce Bill: seeks to legalize absolute divorce aims to spare children from parental conflicts and allow divorced individuals to remarry.Expanded Maternity Leave Bill and later passed as RA 11210: seeks maternity leave benefits for unmarried pregnant female government workers to address discriminationThe Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653): a law that protects tenants from exorbitant rent increases.The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (RA 9344): promotes the creation of a child-friendly justice system focused on rehabilitation and restoration rather than punishment.The Philippine Nursing Act (RA 9173): Strengthens the nursing profession through regulation and professional development.Anti-Torture Law (RA 9745): Prohibits and penalizes acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (R9189): provides an absentee voting system for Filipino citizens residing or working outside of the PhilippinesPublic Attorney’s Office Act 2007 (RA9406): The law expanded the mandate of PAO to include providing free legal services and assistance to indigent clientsAnti-Contractualization Bill: aims to end contractualization and declares probationary and casual employment as illegalAlso co-authored bills filed by Bayan Muna congresspersons Saturday Ocampo and Crispin Beltran during the 12th Congress and those filed by Bayan Muna during the 13th and 14th Congresses
Advocacies
OFW rights, Women and LGBTQ+ rights; anti-poverty initiatives, patriotic governance, sovereignty and independent foreign policyLegislative Priorities
OFW
Stop state exactions that are burdensome to OFWs like PhilhealthEnsure support and assistance to OFWs in distressStop to labor export policy that treats OFWs as milking cowsEnsure work inside the country instead of exporting labor of FilipinosWomen
Enactment of the Divorce Law.Strengthening of the Anti-VAWC Law, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, the Anti-Rape Law as well as amendments to the Reproductive Rights Law.Incentivizing and development of women as entrepreneurs with the vision of developing them as captains of Philippine industriesLGBTQ+
Enactment of the SOGIE Law and other measures that address discrimination against LGBTQ+On independent foreign policy
Withdrawal of the Philippines from unequal treaties and agreements with other countriesRemoval of US military facilities and troopsDismantling of military structures of China on the West Philippine SeaStrengthening of peaceful and diplomatic solutions to address the conflict in the WPS and in the settlement of territorial disputesContribution & Projects
Led the Kilos Sambayanan campaign to address the 10 Basic Needs of the poor during her tenure at NAPCInitiated an alternative pro-people framework outlined in the NAPC publication "Reforming Philippine Anti-Poverty Policy."As Congresswoman
See major bills authoredEstablish projects such as mobile libraries and mobile clinics, and provide support for the construction of multi-purpose buildings for women with the involvement of women engineers and architects. Prioritize the construction of farm-to-market roads and foot bridges to benefit farmers and underserved rural communities.WeGovern
In collaboration with LGUs, we provided training to approximately 3,000 local officials at different levels of governance on accessing the 5% gender fund and conducting GAD planning. We also conducted training sessions on good governance and new politics for around 1,000 women aspiring to pursue political positions in various levels of local government units.As feminist-activist leader of GABRIELA
Led the alliance in initiating and developing women’s campaigns and instituted GABRIELA’s advocacy and service programs for women and childrenLaunched the international and local Purple Rose Campaign against sex trafficking.Led the campaign for justice for Flor Contemplacion that gained spontaneous support and mobilization from the people and exposed the hardships of OFWs; this campaign led to the enactment of the Magna Carta for Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995Led the founding and development of the Gabriela Women’s Party, the only women’s political party in the world to maintain its representation in parliament.Spearheaded the establishment of the International Women’s Alliance and served as its Founding Chairperson. Led its launch of the Asia-Pacific-wide campaign advocating for peace and opposing militarism, plunder, and war.Participated as one of the 30 high-profile women, including feminist icon Gloria Steinem and two women Nobel Peace Laureates, who crossed the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea to highlight her strong commitment to peace and diplomacy.Stances on Major Issues
National Sovereignty:
Strongly opposes foreign military presence, particularly U.S. military bases and missiles in the Philippines, advocating for an independent foreign policy that prioritizes national interests and territorial integrity.Women’s Rights:
Advocates for comprehensive protections for women, including laws against violence and trafficking, and pushes for gender equality in all sectors.Migrant Workers’ Rights:
Staunch defender of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), advocating for their welfare, legal protections, and against exploitation, both domestically and abroad.Anti-Poverty Initiatives:
Promotes alternative frameworks to neoliberal economic policies, such as addressing the root causes of poverty through her Kilos Sambayanan campaign focusing on the 10 Basic Needs of the poor.Peace and Diplomacy:
Supports peaceful negotiations and adherence to international law in resolving territorial disputes, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, while opposing militarism.Social Justice:
Committed to pro-people policies that prioritize the welfare of marginalized sectors, advocating for labor rights, anti-contractualization laws, and a just economic system.Proposed Solutions and Programs
Implementation of Genuine Agrarian Reform: Enactment of GARBEnactmentation of a national industrialization program to develop our manufacturing sector and key vital industries like pharmaceutical industry, transportation, water, energy, oil among othersEnactment of a universal social protection programIncentivizing women entrepreneurs to develop them as captains of industriesIncrease wages and benefits of waged and salaried workers and government employeesStop contractualization of laborProtection of our national sovereignty, territory and patrimonyPromotion and implementation of independent foreign policy - a makabayang patakarang panlabasEnd unequal treaties and agreements with foreign countries (Terminate the VFA, MDT, EDCA and other similar agreements/treaties)Dismantling of NTFELCAC; repeal of Anti-Terrorism Law and other repressive measures that constrict civic spaceEnd corruption and enact legislation and measures that will make all forms of pork barrel illegal.Enact enabling law that will end political dynasties.Reform the party list systemPursue peace talks with the NDFP
Awards
Gawad Parangal sa Natatanging Kababaihan (Karapatan ng Kababaihan), Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino 2012Gawad “Jeng” Crisostomo Natatanging U.P. Alumna 2008Gawad Eden Marcellana 2007Outstanding Woman in Public Service Award, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) 2005Gawad Pagkilala at Parangal Para sa mga Kababaihan sa Kongreso 2001Achievements
As Congresswoman, authored 71 bills and 144 resolutions; authored and pushed passage of landmark laws like the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, the Magna Carta of Women and Juvenile Justice Law
Career & History
Legislative History
Advocacies
Achievements
