Dinagat Rep Kaka Bag-ao calls on women leaders to lead with intellect and integrity in first Henedina Razon-Abad Memorial Lecture

Last 29 October, Lone District of Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao urged women leaders to lead with both intellect and integrity, similar to the late Lone District of Batanes Representative Henedina Razon-Abad.

Speaking before faculty members, students, civil society representatives, and fellow public servants at the launch of the Henedina Razon-Abad Memorial Lecture on Women Leaders in Public Service, she paid tribute to the former lawmaker and founding dean of Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) as a moral compass in politics and a living example of how power can serve.

“Ma’am Dina believed that governance is stewardship, not ownership. She built institutions, not ego projects. Her moral authority came from consistency and restraint,” Bag-ao said. “Her brilliance was matched by her humanity, and her strength was rooted in compassion.”

She described Dean Abad’s legacy as one that continues to guide many reform-minded leaders in government. “She was a strategist and a conscience, a mentor who showed that leadership can be firm yet kind, principled yet humble.”

Organized by ASoG, this annual lecture series is designed to celebrate and promote discussions around the roles and contributions of women in the public sector, to inspire future generations of leaders, and to foster an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that women in government face.

Social justice is a collective responsibility

Meanwhile, in her observation and reaction, Lanao del Sur Provincial Board Member Sheila Gul Devnani-Ganda urged local leaders to embrace servant leadership, to empower communities, and to strengthen partnerships for inclusive development. 

“Public service for public good is not just a concept,” she said. “It requires us to prioritize the needs of others, to listen actively, and to empower communities to drive their own development.”

An alumnus of ASoG, Devnani-Ganda credited the institution for shaping her leadership ethos. “As we move forward, it is essential that we continue to engage local communities and listen to their concerns,” she added.

Quoting the late Dean Abad, Devnani-Ganda reminded leaders that “the pursuit of social justice is a collective social responsibility.” She expressed confidence that ASoG will continue to influence transformation in the public sector “by creating an army of competent and ethical leaders.”

A Call to Young Women in Public Service

Addressing the students and young leaders in attendance, Bag-ao encouraged them to uphold integrity and compassion as they pursue careers in governance and public service.

“Politics is not inherently evil. Governance is not inherently corrupt. It is people like you who can choose courage over convenience, and service over self-interest,” she said. “Leadership begins not with titles, but with conviction.”

Bag-ao reminded the audience that Henedina Abad’s life remains a guiding light for those who believe that public service can still be a force for good.

“In an age where power is often equated with noise, Ma’am Dina taught us the power of quiet conviction,” Bag-ao said. “Even in the darkest times, she believed that decency matters, and that public service, when done with integrity, remains one of the purest forms of love.”