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80 YEARS SINCE PLEBISCITE

Robredo urges Pinays to value right to vote, role in democracy


Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday underscored Filipino women’s role in democracy, as the country marks the 80th year since women gained the right to vote and run for public office.

Robredo said it is Filipinas' duty not to waste this right, secured via a special plebiscite on April 30, 1937.

“Ito ang dahilan kung bakit tayong mga kababaihan ay maaaring makilahok sa ating demokrasya ngayon. Tungkulin nating lahat na huwag sayangin ang karapatan na ipinaglaban,” she said in a statement.

The Vice President lauded Filipino women for their role in democracy, saying they serve as “light” not only of their homes, but the country.

“Kayo mismo ang nagpapatunay na ang mga kababaihan ay hindi lamang ilaw ng tahanan kundi ilaw ng buong bansa tungo sa isang matagumpay at matiwasay na pamahalaan, tumitindig hindi para sa pansariling kapakanan, kundi para sa ikabubuti ng lahat,” she said.

According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), a total of 447,725 Filipinas voted in favor of women’s suffrage during the special plebiscite. This prompted a provision in the 1935 Constitution that extended the right to vote to Filipinas.

The election that followed this saw the election of women in government, notably Elisa Ochoa, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1941, and Geronima Pecson of Pangasinan, who became the first female senator six years later.

In 1984, President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation No. 2346, declaring April 30 as “Woman Suffrage Day.” — BM, GMA News

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