Judy Taguiwalo


Judy Marigomen Taguiwalo is a Filipina social worker, social activist, educator and the former Secretary of the Philippines' Department of Social Welfare and Development. She was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Corazon Soliman in the secretaryship. She served in an ad interim basis from June 30, 2016 until August 16, 2017, the rejection of her appointment by the Commission on Appointments.
She is a former professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman and was one of those nominated by the National Democratic Front to the Duterte Cabinet.

Early life and education

Taguiwalo was born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental on February 17, 1950. Her father was the late Democrito Taguiwalo, a principal and a supervisor, and her mother is Virgilia M. Taguiwalo, a retired Home Economics teacher. She is a sister of the late Mario M. Taguiwalo, a former undersecretary of Department of Health. Taguiwalo studied at Rizal Elementary School and finished her Secondary education at Negros Occidental High School in Bacolod City. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Social Work finishing cum laude from University of the Philippines Diliman. She obtained her Master of Arts in Public Administration in 1992 from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and then finished her doctorate degree in Philippine Studies from UP Diliman. She has a daughter, June.

Career

Taguiwalo helped in organizing the militant group Malayang Kilusan ng Kababaihan in 1970. After being detained twice, from July 1973 to their escape in November 1, 1974 and again on January 28, 1974 until their release after EDSA Revolution, she worked as a professor in the College of Social Work and Community Development's Department of Women and Development Studies in UP Diliman. Taguiwalo used to head the University for Women's and Gender Studies. She was Founding National President of All UP Academic Employee Union and a founder of All UP Workers' Alliance. Taguiwalo served as Director of UP Center for Women's Studies. She served as member of UP Board of Regents from 2009-2010 representing the faculty. She also served as Vice-Chairperson of Board of Trustees of IBON Foundation where she now serves as the Chairperson. She is a recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award in Gender Equality/Women Empowerment, the 2010 CSWCD Outstanding Alumna Award, as well as the 2009 "Gawad Pagpupugay".