First Women to be Elected to Public Office

Carmen Lim-Planas was the first woman to be elected to any public office in the Philippines when she was elected councilor of Manila by general suffrage in 1934. She would later serve as the capital city’s first female vice mayor of Manila from 1940 to 1941 and again from 1944 to 1951.

Planas had her elementary education at the Colegio de Sta. Rosa, finished the primary course in three years, and graduating later as valedictorian. For her secondary education, she enrolled at the Holy Ghost College (present day College of the Holy Spirit), where she graduated with honors. That same year, she entered the University of the Philippines to pursue her bachelor of laws degree.

During World War II, Planas provided assistance to the Vinzon guerrillas. For this she was investigated and taken to Fort Santiago four times by the Japanese. She also assisted British and American internees at the Assumption Convent and their children at the Holy Ghost College, as well as the Filipino and American ex-servicemen confined in various hospitals and convalescent homes. Planas held the rank of captain in the Anderson’s ROTC Hunters women auxiliary service.

Being a lawyer, Planas represented the country at the International Bar Conference in Monte Carlo in 1954 and in Cologne in 1958; International Conference of Lawyers in Salzburg in 1960, and at the International Conference of Women Lawyers in Helsinki, Finland.

Carmen Planas devoted her life to public service, and was never married. She had a simple philosophy in life: “I just do the best I can in any given problem. The results I leave to God who must have a reason for everything that happens.”

Happy Women’s Month to all excellent lawyers and leaders!