Monica “Nikki Prieto-Teodoro
Representative, 1st District of Tarlac
Hon. Monica Prieto-Teodoro had one clear advocacy when she ran for a seat in Congress in 2007: to protect the welfare of the Filipino children. Nikki, as she is fondly known, has a soft spot when it comes to children. More than just being a legislator, she is also a doting mother to her only son, Jaime. Thus, she understands the needs of the children and aims to be of service to them. With her strong passion and hard work, she was able to make history in the 14th Congress upon the creation of the standing Committee on the Welfare of Children, make a difference in many children’s lives through the Golden Rooster Foundation, Inc. and author bills meant to protect and promote the rights of children in the country. With all these achievements, Nikki proves that she is more than just a woman of vision, but a woman of action as well.
As A Congresswoman
Now, with her election to the post, vice her husband, Congresswoman Teodoro’s deep commitment for the welfare of the youth will serve her in good stead. It was through her initiative that the Committee on the Welfare of Children was created last February 2008. With her designation as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the House Committees on the Welfare of Children and on Population and Family Relations, respectively, she will have enough room to muster the needed resources as she works for a comprehensive child care policy for our country, which shall establish support systems for less fortunate parents in caring for their children.
Three of the bills she is sponsoring manifest her deep concern for the the protection of children, namely, House Bills 682, 683 and 684. These bills, in jest, strongly espouse the prevailing sentiments against corporal punishment, child exploitation, and child pornography.
Nikki has filed fifteen other bills, mostly benefiting her constituents – on road infrastructure development and establishment of national high schools; and has co-sponsored more than seventy other bills. She has also prioritized the construction of Amor Village to provide shelter for the abused and abandoned children. The said construction was already inaugurated last December 2008.
Other projects she has prioritized to ensure the continued progress of Tarlac includes renovation of Gilberto Teodoro Memorial Hospital, renovation of Camiling Public Market, donation of 10 ambulances to the different municipalities of Tarlac, among others.
Other bills she has co-authored, concern street children, child adoption, day care workers, Special Education Centers, foster care, gifted children and science-oriented youth, school health and nutrition, pregnancy care, infant protection and baby-switching prevention, mandatory Hepa B immunization, breastfeeding, responsible parenthood, free medical assistance for indigents, and educational scholarship programs, among others.
Nikki is also a member of the House Committees on Women and Gender Equality; Social Services; Ethics and Privileges; Public Information; Foreign Affairs; Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy; and Appropriations.
With this record for a first-term lady representative, with beauty and brains to match, it isn’t farfetched to say that she has carved her niche in the realm of Philippine politics.
Educational Background
Nikki had a sturdy educational background honed from high caliber institutions abroad. She graduated from Webster University in Switzerland with a degree in International Marketing, where she was trained with the basics of the international economy. She then returned home to become a successful real estate entrepreneur. She also studied in various schools such as Marymount, St. Joseph’s, and Notre Dame in California.
As Congressional Spouse
Though Nikki is a first-termer in Congress, she is not totally new in this world of legislation. She is very supportive to her husband, then 1st District of Tarlac Representative Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (presently the Secretary of National Defense). During her husband’s stint, Nikki was Vice-Chairperson of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. and a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Rustan’s Essences Foundations, Inc. Both are charitable foundations whose purposes include the helping of the needy, assisting unwed mothers, and helping homeless children
Personal Life
Long before she decided to enter the world of politics, her beautiful face had already been in commercials of Procter & Gamble, when she launched Pantene into a global brand. Before this, she was asked to be the endorser of the bank of the Philippine Islands in their first and only television commercial. She was a former equestrienne and is a PADI certified scuba diver.
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The Elusive Nikki Teodoro
VERY FEW WOULD speak on record about her. Hopelessly elusive to the media, even her own mother needs to ask her permission to talk about her to media, whispered one who, of course, requested anonymity.
She’s very attractive, that much we know, this one-time commercial model. Tall and svelte, rag would look couture on her back. She had a privileged upbringing, educated both in the US and Switzerland. In short, spotless on paper.
But just how much do Filipinos know about Monica Louise Prieto Teodoro—Nikki to family and friends, congresswoman of Tarlac’s first district and potential Philippine first lady?
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Feedbacks
I enjoyed reading your profile on Philippine Tatler. More so regarding your advocacy for the rights of the filipino child. We need more sincere and dedicated women like you in congress, Ms. Nikki. Btw, I support Mr. Gibo for President. God bless you both.
-Rowena Los Banes, Lambunao, Iloilo
