The progressive Gabriela Women’s Party has formally secured its return to the House of Representatives after being proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) En Banc, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), on Wednesday, September 17.
Led by COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, the NBOC officially raised the hand of Gabriela’s first nominee Sarah Elago, declaring her as the party’s duly elected representative in Congress.
“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 stated.
Elago will serve a full three-year term until June 30, 2028, in accordance with the 1987 Constitution.
Based on the final and official tally, Gabriela ranked 55th in the party-list race, garnering 256,811 votes.
Speaking to the media after her proclamation, Elago expressed readiness to immediately assume her post:
“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,” Elago said.
She added: “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.”
Elago previously served in Congress as the Kabataan Partylist representative from 2016 to 2022.
Gabriela’s return to the House follows the disqualification of Duterte Youth Partylist by the COMELEC En Banc over issues of “misrepresentation.” The group has since filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, which remains pending.