Project OWLENS

THE Search is on for who will be the next recipients of the Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security (OWLENS) award in 2023.

Project OWLENS Philippines is all about the exceptional performance of Filipino women, especially in this time of pandemic. OWLENS is a project of Republic Defenders (RD) in partnership with San Miguel Corp.

It was launched in 2018, following lectures on women empowerment. In 2019, then-president Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the awarding ceremony as guest of honor and speaker at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace in March during the International Month of Women.

RD is a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered, nonprofit and volunteer organization, made up of private and public individuals. RD supports government programs and projects on good governance, women empowerment, and environment protection and preservation.

The RD chairman is Vidal Querol, a former ambassador and police general that is currently the chairman of the Philippine Military Academy Retirees Association Inc., while the RC chairman emeritus is Jose Calida, the former solicitor general. Meanwhile, the RD president is Eddie Choa, a businessman. RD members include Sen. Maria Imelda “Imee” Marcos, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary Roy Cimatu, Department of Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing 3rd and Atty. Larry Gadon.

Project OWLENS is dedicated to Filipino women. This time, it includes recognition of the role of women in defeating the Covid-19 pandemic, which had become the most serious threat to national security. The project aims to motivate Filipino women through recognition of exceptional performance in law enforcement and national security, positively impacting the concerned agency, the community and the public.