Justice Singh to Women: Accept Role as Leaders
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh tells women to accept their role as leaders and do their part in securing the future of the nation at the town hall meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at Better World Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh has challenged all women to accept their role as leaders and do their part in securing the future of the nation.
Justice Singh gave the powerful message at the town hall meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at Better World Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City, a center for mothers and women from nearby communities. She was joined by her younger sibling, Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.
Justice Singh, together with Health Usec. Singh-Vergeire, said that they take pride in their work, stressing that they are putting in honest and hard work in their respective fields to bring back the public’s trust and confidence in the government. She said she wants to change the perception against public servants who are looked down upon by some as being corrupt and unproductive. She cautioned everyone to know their rights and fight for them and help raise consciousness and responsibility especially that the election season is next year, stressing that who the people elect will be in-charge in the making of policies and decisions for the country.
“Yan po sana ang isa sa maging advocacy natin lalo na next year is election season again. Sana let us be a force to raise consciousness, to raise responsibility kasi talaga po namang we can only do so much kasi yung decision making, policy making hindi natin hawak kundi hawak ng mga tao na niluluklok natin doon,” said Justice Singh.
She added: “Kaya sana kung mayroon tayong magagawa doon, mag-umpisa sana sa atin kasi kahit hindi natin isipin ito, pero this is a fact of life—every woman is a leader in her family and in her community. Tanggapin po ninyo ang role na yan. Dahil yan po ay natural yan. That is by force of birth. Gampanan po natin yung leadership role na yun. If we are concerned about our future, not just for our children but us as well, maging active po tayo dyan. Let’s make that one thing on our agenda na sana ay mapagtulung-tulungan po natin.”
Justice Singh stressed that fighting for women’s rights cannot be just an advocacy for women but “it has to be a way of life.”
“Ito po ay bahagi ng ating pagkatao. So hindi lang sya advocacy. Nananalaytay yan sa dugo ninyo dapat yung pagtayo at paglaban para sa mga karapatan natin. That should be part of who you are. Kaparte ng buhay ninyo. So hindi ninyo lang gagawin as an advocacy but it’s because it is what you are supposed to be doing. Kasangkap na po lahat dyan. Hindi lang po sa health issues, tungkol sa legal rights din, kasama na din po yung sa environment, lalo na yung sa gender,” said Justice Singh.
Asked how women can empower themselves, Justice Singh stressed that they should give their best and put their heart into whatever they do. “I always say this, you don’t wake up in the morning and tell yourself, I’m going to go out and be a superhero today and show everyone. Hindi po ganoon. You just go and do your daily routine. Kung ano po ang naaatas sa atin, gawin natin sa abot ng ating makakaya. Ibigay po natin ang puso natin doon sa ginagawa natin. Doon manggagaling yung lakas ninyo,” she said.
The 194th Associate Justice, Justice Singh is one of the co-chairpersons of the Supreme Court Committee on Gender Responsiveness in the Judiciary. She also holds the post of Asia Pacific Regional Director of the International Association of Women Judges. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh and her younger sibling, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, are the featured speakers at the town hall meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at Better World Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh and her younger sibling Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire take time to pose for a photo with some of the attendees at the town hall meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at Better World Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh and sibling Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire pose for posterity with the organizers and participants at the town hall meeting to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024 at Better World Cubao in Cubao, Quezon City. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)