Veteran broadcast journalist Che Che Lazaro puts the spotlight on four tough Filipinas in the government— Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, and Internal Revenue Chief Kim Henares— this Sunday (Mar 2) in “Cheche Lazaro Presents: Palibhasa Babae” in celebration of the International Women’s Month.
All strong-willed lawyers, the four have been earning praises, as well as criticisms for the decisions and judgment calls they have made in their respective offices.
In a sit-down one-on-one interview with Lazaro, Sereno, Morales, de Lima, and Henares share the burdens that comes with their very demanding jobs, the challenges they currently face, and their plans for their respective offices.
Sereno explains why being called a dissenting minority chief justice does not bother her. Morales shows how she instills discipline in the Office of the Ombudsman, while De Lima talks about keeping her independence while being an alter ego of the president. Henares, who has been tirelessly filing tax evasion cases in court, confirms the rumor about how she turned down a request for assistance by a relative of her husband.
The documentary outlines what they need, want to achieve, and how they are coping in the game of people’s perception.
Compared to women in other countries, Filipinas have always enjoyed greater freedom and equal rights with men. They have raised families, managed businesses, served government agencies, and at some point in Philippine history, run the country. While women have always been generally described as vulnerable, the Filipina is also seen as strong, resilient, and able to take on roles often assigned to men.
A must-watch for every Filipino, “Cheche Lazaro Presents: Palibhasa Babae” is not an ordinary story about gender, but a story of a nation revolving under the yoke of corruption and mismanagement, and how four women are trying to address the situation with the help of an enlightened citizenry.
Don’t miss “Cheche Lazaro Presents: Palibahasa Babae” this Sunday (Mar 2), after “Gandang Gabi Vice” on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best.