Tan, Morales and Briones and the men in their lives

MANILA, Philippines – A forum organized by the United Nations asks three leading women how they push for integrity in governance and lead meaningful lives at the same time.

Angela Casauay reports.

They deal with the pork barrel scam head on.
They audit the misuse of public funds, hold politicians accountable and prosecute the corrupt.
It’s a forum organized by the United Nations on “Women for Integrity in Governance”.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Commission on Audit chairperson Grace Pulido Tan, and Social Watch convenor Leonor Briones give us a glimpse of the woman behind the position of leadership.
In a rare opportunity, Ombudsman Morales provides a glimpse into her private life.

CONCHITA CARPIO-MORALES
OMBUDSMAN
If you look at me as a tiger in public, I can be as coy as a kitten in the house – because I am a Gemini and you know what a Gemini stands for.

Chair Tan, who is married to lawyer Bayani Tan, says she wanted to retire at age 40 to give more time to her 5 kids.

GRACE PULIDO TAN
COMMISSION ON AUDIT CHAIR
My husband said, ‘Will you please really, really think about what you’re talking about?’ There are husbands at that time who ask their wives to just stay at home, because the kids were growing and they needed personal attention but my husband was baliktad. (There are husbands at that time who ask their wives to just stay at home, because the kids were growing and they needed personal attention but my husband was opposite). He said: ‘You don’t need to. The kids are doing well.’ It helps a lot with a job like mine.

Professor Briones used to head the National Treasury.
She and her husband trace their roots to the people’s movement.

LEONOR BRIONES
SOCIAL WATCH CONVENOR
In the progressive movement, education, class, that’s not taken into consideration at all and so it was only after our marriage that he discovered what I am. So my son was asking, ‘What kind of a mama are you? I’ve never seen you doing any of these things.’ And I said, I’m a super mama and that settled it.

What’s the secret to keeping focused despite intense pressure?

LEONOR BRIONES
SOCIAL WATCH CONVENOR
I think the secret of many women who are fearless, who do things are because their men, their children believe in them in the first place and their macho pride is not affected.

As the nation cries out for reforms, these 3 women are at the forefront of the fight against corruption.
They’re also at the forefront of breaking the glass ceiling.
Angela Casauay, Rappler. – Rappler.com