Luciano Legacy is an Inspiration to Enact Pro-Women Legislation

“Let Justice Leonor Ines Luciano’s legacy be an inspiration for the 15th and succeeding Congresses to enact legislation that will uplift the conditions and uphold the rights of Filipino women.”Thus said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan in a message during a tribute to the late Justice Leonor Ines Luciano sponsored by Gabriela Women’s Party, the House of Representatives Committee on Women and Gender Equality, Philippine Commission on Women and the Quezon City government.According to Ilagan,

“It is but fitting and timely that we pay tribute to the life and works of the late Justice Luciano especially at a time when Congress is deliberating measures relevant to Filipino women.”Congress is currently taking on the Reproductive Health bill at the plenary while the Divorce bill is scheduled for committee deliberations on Wednesday.

Ilagan said, “Gabriela Women’s Party very much appreciates the fact that while Justice Luciano was a devout Catholic she recognized the plurality of the membership of the National Council of Women of the Philippines.She remained open to ideas and stood for respecting others’ beliefs. In Justice Luciano’s words: we agree not to impose our beliefs on others except when the latter’s are beyond ethics, morals and the law. Thus, we respect each one’s freedom of conscience, an informed conscience- knowing what is right and what is wrong.”

The Gabriela solon also said that as a legislator, Justice Luciano spoke on the case of Zamboanga Rep. Romeo Jalosjos who was later convicted for the rape of an 11 year old girl. “Justice Luciano was one who would not remain silent on the wrongdoings of fellow members of Congress. She was one who stood for the rule of law. We need more members of Congress like the late Justice Luciano.”

As the first women’s sectoral representative appointed by then President Fidel Ramos in 1994, Justice Leonor Ines Luciano actively pushed for the passage of landmark women legislation in the 9th and 10th Congresses. These include RA 8353 or the Anti Rape Law and RA 7877 the Anti Sexual Harassment Act. She also led a Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of Gender and Development Programs in the country.#