Liza Largoza-Maza
Partylist Representative, Gabriela Womens' Party
12th, 13th and 14th Congress of the Philippines
Hardworking, persistent, creative and principled best describe the woman activist, parliamentarian and internationalist that is Liza Largoza-Maza.
Liza Largoza-Maza was born and raised in San Pablo, Laguna. She finished her bachelor's degree in Business Economics at the University of the Philippines. She then worked as a researcher in the President's Center for Strategic Studies and held the post as Executive Officer of Nationalist Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA). She taught Economics at St. Scholastica's College. She was also the Executive Director of the Women’s Center for Development, Education and international Studies. She has been a delegate to various United Nations conferences and invited to over 35 countries to speak about the Filipino women, OFWs and the national situation.
Champion of the Filipino Women and Children
A woman of integrity, Liza Maza is uncompromising and unflinching in the various struggles of women, the masa and the country. As the foremost leader of Gabriela, the national organization of women, she has consistently led the organization in its advocacy for women's rights against various forms of abuse and discrimination, violence, rape, sex trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
As a congresswoman of Bayan Muna and, later, of Gabriela Women's Party, Liza has shown unwavering stance in upholding the genuine interests of the Filipino women, especially the marginalized and the unrepresented.
As a lawmaker, she has made significant contributions in crafting breakthrough legislation that promote the rights and equality of women such as the Anti-Violence Against Women and the Children Act (RA 9262), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9189), Public Attorney's Office Act (RA 9406), Philippine Nursing Act (RA 9713), and the Anti-Torture Law (RA 9745).
In support of women workers, she initiated investigations into the rampant contractualization and its impact on women's workers. She has likewise called for various investigations and the legislative actions on the rising prices of basic commodities, including LPG and other oil products; the repeal of the law on Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT); the protection of the funds of the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS).
A champion of the rights and the welfare of overseas Filipino (OFWs), Maza led the campaign on the issue of Flor Contemplacion, Sarah Balabagan and Angelo dela Cruz; guidelines of the Philippine Overseas Agency (POEA) on Filipino domestic workers , and the trafficking and slavery of OFWs, among others. ( For the complete list of legislation, please visit gabrielawomensparty.net )
The Modern Day Gabriela
A witness to the adverse impact of globalization on the country's agricultural sector, Liza is a staunch oppositor of the Philippine government's continued adherence to unequal agreements and treaties, to the detriment of the domestic economy. She joins the peasants in their struggle for land and genuine agrarian reform.
Liza led the various actions against the corrupt, repressive and anti-people administration of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She was one of the brave few who led the filing of impeachment complaints against Arroyo. In response to the onslaught of political repression of the Arroyo government, Liza upheld the civil and political rights of the people in her various actions against extra-judicial killings and the abductions, political persecution and curtailment of civil liberties. The only woman among the six legislators known as the Batasan Six, Liza was detained in Congress for 71 days during the declaration of the State of National Emergency in 2006, under threats of arrest and prosecution of false and fabricated charges of rebellion.
Liza is also an advocate of the youth’s basic right to education and teachers’ welfare. She conceived the 20-20 formula, urging legislators to allocate 20% of their Priority Development Assistance Fund for the construction of classrooms. She also opposed the arbitrary imposition of tuition fee hikes and called for increased government subsidy for State Colleges and Universities. Having spoken in several international conferences on the plight and struggles of Filipino women, Liza is a prominent figure even in international communities.
Visit Liza Maza's Official Campaign Website
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