Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia said Thursday he is awaiting further proposals on the matter from the women lawmakers in he wake of the proposal by Akbayan partylist Rep. Ana Theresa Hontiveros-Baraquel for a lady deputy speaker.
"I believe that the 21st century is the Century of Women. They deserve recognition as vital players in national and global development," said de Venecia, noting that "there is a clamor."
Even that the House had just elected four Deputy Speakers, de Venecia noted that "now there is a need for gender-balance in Congress."
"There are so many capable women lawmakers," he said, naming, among others, Reps. Cynthia Villar, Girlie Villarosa, Annie Rosa Susano, Milagros Magsaysay, Lorna Silverio, Reylina Nicolas and Janette Garin.