The Philippines’ first transgender lawmaker continues to be a voice of reason in Congress, where she constantly pushes for reforms that would benefit women, members of the marginalized sector and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Growing up in Orani, Bataan, the young Geraldine knew early on that while she was born with a male physique, her heart and mind are undoubtedly female. This led her to not just understand, but also experience firsthand, the many struggles that a transgender person contends with.
And while her self-identity resulted in a rather rough childhood, Geraldine carried on with grace and kindness. The very same traits remain with her, even as she made herstory in 2016, when she was elected as the First District of Bataan’s representative in Congress — effectively making her the first openly transgender legislator in Philippine history.
“The politics of bigotry, hatred and discrimination did not triumph,” Roman told Agence France-Presse when she won. “What triumphed was the politics of love, acceptance and respect.”
Seven years and several notable pieces of legislation later, Geraldine remains as passionate as ever. She currently serves as chairperson on Women and Gender Equality of the House of Representatives. She has worked hard to open discussions on bringing equal opportunities not just for women and the members of the LGBTQIA+ community but for everybody. The lawmaker’s efforts in pushing laws that would benefit people from all walks of life bears what she calls a “ROMANtik” brand of service for her beloved Filipinos.
Some of her most notable principal authored bills include the Caregivers Welfare Act, which institutes policies for the protection and welfare of caregivers in the practice of their profession; the Agrarian Reform Bill, which aims to distribute agricultural lands to qualified beneficiaries fully subsidized by the State; and The Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act, that mandates all barangays to create a registry of skilled works.
She is also the lawmaker behind The Eddie Garcia Act, which institutes policies for the protection and promotion of the welfare of workers and independent contractors in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry; and the Freelance Workers Protection Act, which provides protection and incentives to freelance workers.
Despite having many accolades to her name, Geraldine vows that she’s just getting started in making the Philippines a better place for Filipinos — one bill at a time.
Outside of politics, Geraldine holds a degree in European Languages (Major in Spanish and Minor in French) from the University of the Philippines Diliman and a Journalism degree from the University of the Basque Country in Spain. After completing her education, she stayed in Spain to work as a journalist in a news agency, where she discovered her dedication to social justice.
