WOMEN dominated the top provincial posts in Calabarzon in the recent 2025 national and local elections, with four women elected as governors in four out of the five provinces in the region.
Journalist-turn politician Sol Aragones won a hotly contested fight where she bested six other contenders that include actor-turn politician Dan Fernandez who landed in the 3rd place.
Former Lipa City Lone District Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto regained her old position as Batangas’ governor, the position she held from 2007 to 2016. She garnered 654,776 voted defeating three men in the fight with former I-Care Party List Congressman Mike Rivera coming close at 2nd place with 532,180 votes. The actress-politician was suceeded by Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas in 2016 from whom she will succeed the position come June 30.
Incumbent Rizal Governor Nina Ynares secured another term another 4-cornered fight; defeated another 3-men. Ynarez won by landslide with 884,132 votes compared to her closest rival with only 75,331 votes.
In Quezon, physician turn politician, Angelina Tan, got the reaffirmation of Quezonians rnning unopposed.
It was only in Cavite that a man won as governor.
Jasmin Siman, a gender and development expert, claimed that the recent elections in Calabarzon reflect gender inclusivity, a growing shift in public perception, and a readiness to embrace women as leaders.
“This is a good sign because voters are accepting that women can lead, and there is gender equality. It sends a clear message: voters believe that women can lead—and lead well,” Siman said.
She added, “It is not just women who voted for them, but also men. This is significant, as even though politics is considered a male-dominated field, we are now seeing gender-neutral leadership in the region. This empowers women in the community.”
Historically, Filipino women gained the right to vote in 1937 after the suffrage movement. In 2022, women held 24% of the country’s elected positions—a decline from 30% in 2017. Siman emphasized that despite this background and the persistent gender gap in politics, the outcome in Calabarzon is remarkable.
“As women leaders holding some of the highest positions in the region, they bring a unique style of leadership to the table. The strength of women in leadership lies in their empathy and ability to listen—a motherly approach that caters to the needs of their constituents,” she explained.
She likened their leadership to a mother’s care: “They listen, they understand, and they act not just with authority, but with compassion.”
However, she said that challenges remain for women leaders, including persistent gender stereotypes.
“One of the common stereotypes is that all women are too emotional. But in reality, there are many women who are strong decision-makers and capable leaders,” she said.
As Calabarzon paves a new path with women at the forefront, Siman hopes this inspires the next generation of women to believe in their potential and pursue leadership roles in the country’s political landscape.| – BNN with report from Kristianne Andrade
