FIVE INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES

UNCLAS MANILA 000302 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/WE SASHA MEHRA AND GERDA LANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL RP SUBJECT: FIVE INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES REF: STATE 178055 ¶1. The Philippines has a strong tradition of influential female leaders, including Presidents Aquino and Arroyo and business mogul Tessie Sy. In response to reftel request, Post suggests the following five Filipinas, who may not be as well-known internationally but are powerful and influential leaders in the country, for S/WE's roster of influential women: ¶A. Loren Legarda is a former Senator and plans to run for re-election in May 2007. An active journalist, she remains one of the most popular and influential women in Philippine politics and is considered a 2010 presidential hopeful. Phone: 63-2-889-1667; fax: 63-2-843-0837; ¶B. Ma. Lourdes ("Malou") Mangahas, a powerful voice in Philippine media, was co-founder of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and currently serves as the Vice President for Research and Content at GMA Television Network, Inc. Phone: 63-2-426-6001, extension 5215; address: GMA Network, Inc., EDSA cor. Timog Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines; ¶C. Ma. Merceditas ("Mercy") Gutierrez, the current Ombudsman of the Philippines, leads the national fight against corruption. Phone: 63-2-926-8710; address: Office of the Ombudsman, Agham Road, North Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines; ¶D. Ma. Gracia Cielo ("Grace") Padaca, Governor of Isabela and 2006 Benigno Aquino Fellow for Journalism, is a former hard-hitting journalist who is now fighting corruption in province of Isabela. Phone: 63-078-624-2541; address: Provincial Capitol of Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines; ¶E. Kristine Bernadette ("Kris") Aquino-Yap, the youngest daughter of former President Corazon Aquino and wife of basketball star James Yap, hosts several national television shows and appears daily in newspaper, television and radio advertising throughout the country. Phone: 63-2-723-0924; address: 51 Manila Bay, One Roxas Building, Makati City, Philippines. ¶2. Political Officer Barry Fullerton is the Embassy point-of-contact for women's issues. He can be reached at 63-2-528-6300, extension 2350, or at FullertonTB@state.gov. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ KENNEY