Gabriela sets sights on party-list reelection

MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Women’s Party is poised to seek another term in Congress, filing its certificate of nomination and acceptance on Friday, October 4.

The party-list under the Makabayan Coalition has consistently secured a seat in the House of Representatives since the 13th Congress. 

For the 2025 midterm elections, Gabriela has selected 10 nominees, primarily women leaders from various sectors, including youth, healthcare, migration, rural and peasant groups. 

“We will continue to advocate for laws that protect the rights of women and the LGBT community. ... The cases of abuse, discrimination, sexual harassment and violence against women and LGBT individuals are also increasing and intensifying both online and offline,” Sarah Elago, Gabriela's first nominee, said.  

Nominees. With incumbent Rep. Arlene Brosas having served three consecutive terms in the lower chamber, Gabriela has nominated former Kabataan Partylist Rep. Elago as its first nominee.

Elago represented the youth sector as a lawmaker during the 17th and 18th Congresses. 

Among the bills she co-authored are the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act.

Joining Elago are peasant leader Cathy Estavillo, Amihan Peasant Women’s secretary general, and Davao-based doctor Jean Lindo, who serve as Gabriela’s second and third nominees. 

The party-list's additional nominees include Jacqueline Ruiz from Kilusang Manggagawa ng Kababaihan, Southern Tagalog peasant leader Miriam Villanueva, Jenelyn Nagrampa, Luis Francisco, migrant rights advocate Emerlina De Lina, farmer leader Jacqueline Ratin, and professor Leny Ocasiones.

Calls. Gabriela aims to advance its congressional campaign to promote the well-being of women, children, and individuals of diverse sexual orientations.

In championing equal rights for all, the party-list commits to advocating for legislation that reduces discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community, two of which are the SOGIESC Equality Bill and Divorce Bill.

“We believe that no woman is truly free as long as any of us are not free from any form of abuse and discrimination,” Elago said in Filipino.

Asked about their stance on abortion, Linda said that they are for the decriminalization of women who opt for abortion.

Elago added that there is a need to implement effectively the Reproductive Health Law because there are still cases of maternal deaths in the country, signifying the need for a higher budget for women's health. 

Regarding their stance on sexual workers, Linda said that prostitution is not a right, which is why they call them "prostituted women" instead of workers. Women need job opportunities free of harassment, she added. 

"It is the social environment that is disempowering for these women... Prostitution per se is not a right because it is exploitative," she explained.  

Gabriela’s work in Congress extends beyond women’s rights. The bills lawmakers have filed also aim to improve public healthcare services, provide teacher allowances and establish resettlement programs for informal settler families.