Comelec: Gabriela gets 64th party-list seat in House

MANILA, Philippines — Former Kabataan party-list representative Sarah Elago is returning to the House of Representatives, this time as Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP)’s first nominee.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia confirmed yesterday that Elago will assume the 64th slot allotted for party-list groups in the House of Representatives.

“Comelec shall proclaim former congresswoman Elago, who is the number one nominee of Gabriela party-list,” Garcia said in Filipino.

According to Garcia, the poll body has yet to formally inform Gabriela about the decision.

“It’s best we say this now to remove any doubt. They (Gabriela) have repeatedly gone up to the Commission to ask for their proclamation,” Garcia revealed.

As a party-list built by and for marginalized women, children, LGBTQIA+ and other oppressed sectors, GWP has a long and proven track record of fighting for women and people’s democratic rights, including the Expanded Maternity Leave Law and the Occupational Safety and Health Law.

The poll chief said Comelec intends to hold Elago’s proclamation on Wednesday.

Comelec previously ruled in favor of allocating 64 party-list seats, representing a 20 percent composition of the House of Representatives.

According to the Commission, the 64-seat allocation for party-list is “more compliant” with the 20 percent constitutional requirement than the 63-seat allocation, which only translates to 19.87 percent.

A welcome ruling

Women’s group Gabriela extended its gratitude to Comelec for the inclusion of Elago in the roster of lawmakers in the 20th Congress.

“This decision is a testament to the persistent struggle of Filipino women to have their voices heard, and their rights championed in the halls of power,” Gabriela secretary-general Clarice Palce said in a statement.

“We, along with other grassroots organizations, look forward to continuing our work with GWP in ensuring that the needs and concerns of Filipino women are at the forefront of legislative action,” the group said.

3 million overseas voters by 2028

Meanwhile, the Comelec is eyeing three million overseas Filipinos to register and participate in the 2028 presidential elections.

“We are hoping that we take it to the next level in voter registration. Hopefully, at least three million overseas Filipinos can be registered,” Garcia said, following the memorandum of agreement signing for the establishment of field overseas voter registration centers on Friday.

“(Year) 2028 is crucial in our political history because we are electing the president, vice president, and other positions. This is very important,” he said.

The overseas voter registration period is set to run from Dec. 1, 2025, until Sept. 30, 2027. — Delon Porcalla