Tubod, Lanao del Norte. -- First District Representative Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo of this province was part of the group of women legislators who attended a recent meeting with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.



The meeting which took place last March 29, 2011 at Malacañang was attended by 27 of the 62 lady members of the House of Representatives.



The President himself called for the meeting with the female Parliamentarians regardless of their party affiliation and vote on the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and on the deferment of elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).



“The meeting didn’t delve on their pork barrel entitlements, but only on specific concerns in their districts, like school buildings, dams, and irrigation facilities”, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.



According to P-Noy, the lawmakers will get their share of the Priority Development Fund (PDAF) regardless of their party membership.



“Any legislator can have a private time with the President, where they can discuss ways to support the administration’s development efforts”, Lacierda added.



Pangasinan Representative Georgina de Venecia, wife of former Speaker Jose de Venecia has been instrumental in bringing in the female legislators – members of the Association of Lady Legislators (ALL).



The lady legislators went to Malacañang to personally express their group’s support for the plans and programs of the administration. An “open forum type meeting-cum-working lunch” with the President was held at the Premier Guest House.



In her opening remarks, De Venecia told the President that the ALL is willing to partner with his administration’s advocacy on protecting the rights of women and children, as well as on environment and against poverty and corruption.



“It was a big thing to sacrifice time you could be spending with your constituents to be here,” Aquino said. “So your presence here is doubly appreciated.”



Present during the meeting aside from Dimaporo and De Venecia were Amelita Villarosa (Ocidental Mindoro), Linabelle Villarica (4th Dist., Bulacan), Mercedes Alvarez (6th Dist., Negros Occidental), Bai Sandra Serma (1st Dist., Maguindanao), Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Lone Dist., Pasay City), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon party-list), Daryl Grace Abayon (Aangat Tayo party-list), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th Dist., Pangasinan), Emmeline Aglipay (Democratic Independent Workers’ Association party-list), Thelma Almario (2nd Dist., Davao Oriental), Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (2nd Dist., Bulacan), Rachel Arenas (3rd Dist., Pangasinan), Catalina Bagasina (Association of Laborers and Employment party-list), Eleonor Bulut Begtang (Lone Dist., Apayao), Anna York Bondoc (4th Dist., Pampanga), Jane Castro (2nd Dist., Capiz); Julieta Cortuna (A Teacher party-list), Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David (4th Dist., Manila), Abigail Faye Ferriol (Kalinga party-list), Ana Cristina Go (2nd Dist., Isabela), Herminia Roman (Bataan), Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales (CIBAC party-list), Catalina Leonen-Pizzaro (ABS party-list) and Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd Dist., Cavite).