Women 'take over' the House of Representatives

WOMEN RULE. Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina poses with female lawmakers during the session of the House of Representatives on March 6, 2017. Photo by Mara Cepeda/Rappler

(UPDATED) Who run the world?

It was an all-women's show at the House of Representatives on Monday, March 6, as congresswomen presided over and participated during the plenary session.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had authorized the following female lawmakers to become deputy speakers for a day as the House kicked off its celebration of International Women's Month:

• Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Bulacan 4th District
• Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, DIWA
• Glona Labadlabad, Zamboanga del Norte 2nd District
• Lorna Silverio, Bulacan 3rd District

Bulacan 4th District Representative Linabelle Ruth Villarica. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

DIWA Representative Emmeline Aglipay-Villar. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Zamboanga del Norte 2nd District Representative Glona Labadlabad. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Bulacan 3rd District Representative Lorna Silverio. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

All of the lawmakers lined up to deliver privilege speeches were women as well.

Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Estrellita Suansing discussed the relevance of annually celebrating International Women's Month, while Laguna 3rd District Representative Sol Aragones raised the need for public awareness of breast cancer.

Nueva Ecija 1st District Representative Estrellita Suansing. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Laguna 3rd District Representative Sol Aragones. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Makabayan congresswomen Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago, and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro talked about the various problems that continue to plague female laborers. They also called for the end of labor contractualization. (INFOGRAPHIC: Where do women work?)

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

ACT Teachers Representative France Castro. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Last to deliver her speech was Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano, who focused on how crucial it is for women to have access to family planning methods. (READ: Duterte signs EO ensuring support for family planning)

Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

The House also invited Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, who witnessed firsthand as the lawmakers agreed to adopt House Resolution Number 816, which congratulated her "for outstanding representation and [for] being a source of pride for Filipinos throughout the world."

Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano, author of the approved House resolution, delivered a privilege speech and introduced Medina before the plenary.

Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano. Screenshot from congress.gov.ph

Medina also paid courtesy calls on Alvarez and Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez congratulates Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina. Photo sourced by Rappler

– Rappler.com