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 The Institute of Politics, Department of Social Sciences and Program for Gender Concerns sponsored a general orientation on the newly enacted law the Magna Carta of Women, last March 9, 2010 at the Arrupe Convention Center. It was part of the celebration of the Women’s Week spearheaded by the Program for Gender Concerns. The discussion was facilitated by Ms. Marian Chrissel Adriano, a student of BSBA Business Economics.
 Welcome messages were given by Mr. Ramon Beleno, Chairperson of the Department of Social Sciences and Ms. Agnes Dominguiano, Program Director for Gender Concerns. Atty. Maria Rose Sergio, Presidential Assistant for Research and Advocacy, presented the perspective of Catholic Universities. She questioned the Magna Carta provision outlawing the non-admission of single female students or faculty who get pregnant outside of marriage. She also questioned the insertion of provisions that neutrally promote natural and artificial family planning methods. Mr. Sherwin Pasiona of the Theology Department likewise declared the Catholic Church’s view. He said that the Church respects women and although dignities of men and women are equal, they are bound to assume different roles in the hierarchy. When asked by a student why women cannot become priests or pope, Mr. Pasiona stated that such is beyond the control of the members of the hierarchy because it has been set since the time of Jesus Christ himself. 
 Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Bernadette Gumba, on the other hand, fully upheld the provisions of the Magna Carta claiming that the law, although a watered down version of the original bill, is undoubtedly a significant step in promoting equal status and equal rights of women and men in the economic, political, social and cultural spheres of Philippine society. She cited important stipulations that guarantee participation of women in decision-making and policy-making in the community and household. She particularly affirmed the provisions outlawing anti-women policies in colleges and universities and promoting equal opportunities for girls and boys in skills development, training, scholarships, and sports, among others.
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