While the Philippines has progressed towards gender balance in women’s leadership, we still have a long way to go. Today, women hold only about 24% of elected positions in the country. Through this initiative, we aim to help break gender stereotypes and encourage more enlightened women and girls to serve, lead, and shape our nation's future.

Through this petition, we respectfully urge the Senate, the House of Representatives, and all concerned lawmakers towards the swift deliberation and passage of the Lakambini Bill into law.

Lakambini comes from the word Lakan, which means male leader or warrior, and Bini, refers to a woman. Together, Lakambini means female leader and a Lakambini movement is now gathering strength not only in the Philippines but also across the countries hosting the Filipino diaspora.

This movement was inspired by the life story of Gregoria de Jesus, also known as Oriang, mother of the Philippine Revolution and the Lakambini of the Katipunan. Lakambini Gregoria de Jesus was the quintessential female leader who embodied integrity, love for country, service and unity. A significant figure in the Philippine revolutionary movement, Oriang served as a keeper of the revolution’s assets, an arduous chronicler of its struggles, and an inspiration to aspiring young leaders. Her role in the revolution went beyond being the wife of Andrés Bonifacio, reflecting her own contributions to the struggle for Philippine independence.

Gregoria de Jesus is almost overlooked in our history books, as well as other Filipina heroes. But last year, various cultural groups put up film, stage plays, art exhibits about her, reclaiming her legacy, just as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines commemorated her 150th birth anniversary. 

On October 8, 2025 Representatives Dadah Kiram Ismula, Chel Diokno, Percival Cendana, Leila de Lima, Arlene Bag-ao, Cielo Krisel Lagman filed the Lakambini Act of 2025. This was followed by Senator Risa Hontiveros through Senate Bill No. 2120, also known as the Lakambini Act of 2026. The measure seeks to institutionalize the study of Filipina heroes at all levels of education, in both public and private schools across the Philippines.

These legislative efforts represent a significant step toward building an inclusive, accurate and historically grounded education that recognizes the invaluable contributions of Filipina heroes to our nation's progress.

There are already more than 400 individuals who have signed up through the previous list. However, please sign the petition here instead. Your individual signature and support are important. Mabuhay po tayo! You may view the list here.

By embedding the study of the invaluable contribution of Filipina heroes into the curriculum, we aim to provide the platform for future generations of women and girls to empower themselves and to step up to leadership positions.

Through this petition, we respectfully urge members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to advance to committee hearings so that the Lakambini Bill becomes a law. This bill is more than a proposed piece of legislation—it is an opportunity to correct a long-standing historical oversight.

The Lakambini Bill is more than an educational reform—it is a commitment to historical justice, gender equality, and national identity.

Women’s suffrage—the right of women to vote—took 30 years to pass. We hope you can help us turn the Lakambini Bill into law today by signing below.

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