Comelec proclaims Gabriela nominee as new House member

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

NEW LAWMAKER. Gabriela Rep. Sarah Jane Elago during a media interview after her proclamation as party-list representative to the Lower House, at the Session Hall of the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday (Sept. 17, 2025). She said she is ready to file priority bills that would push for the protection and welfare of women and children. (PNA photo by FGPatinio)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), on Wednesday officially proclaimed the Gabriela Women’s Party among the winning party-list groups in the May 2025 midterm polls.

In a simple ceremony held at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, the NBOC, headed by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, proclaimed the party’s first nominee Sarah Jane Elago, as its representative and the newest member of the House of Representatives.

“We, the Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission on Elections, sitting En Banc as the National Board of Canvassers for the Party-List System in the Automated National and Local Elections of May 12, 2025, do hereby proclaim Gabriela Women’s Party as having obtained the required percentage of votes under the party-list system of representation to entitle its qualified nominee, Sarah Jane I. Elago,” the NBOC proclamation read.

“(She will) sit as representative to the House of Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines, and to serve for a term of three years, ending on June 30, 2028, in accordance with Section 7, Article VI of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.”

The Gabriela Women’s Party placed 55th after getting 256,811 votes in the party-list race.

Elago said she is ready to file priority bills that would push for the protection and welfare of women and children once she assumes office.

“The Gabriela Women’s Party is the winner. This is a victory for women, who did not give up, stood up, and pushed for true representation in Congress,” she said in an interview after her proclamation.

“We hope to have our oath without delay. For Gabriela, any delay is unacceptable. Gabriela has long been ready to file priority bills for a long time. We are ready to assume office immediately.”

The Comelec added one party-list representative as the 63 seats allocated during the May elections are short of the required 20 percent party-list composition of the House.