Comelec: Gabriela to be proclaimed as 64th party-list seat winner

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Gabriela Women’s Party will be proclaimed as the 64th party-list seat winner, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia said on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Former Kabataan party-list lawmaker Sarah Elago will represent Gabriela. Her proclamation is set on Wednesday.

“Siya ang [She is the] number one nominee ng naturang [of] Gabriela party-list,”

“Sinasabi na rin ho natin upang mawala ang agam-agam dahil ilang beses na rin ho sila pumunta sa amin sa komisyon upang hilingin ang kaagad na proklamasyon ng naturang party-list,” Garcia said in a radio interview he forwarded to the media.

[Translation: We are announcing it now to clear doubts because they have been going to the commission, wishing for the immediate proclamation of the party-list.]

The Comelec earlier said that it will add another seat as the 63 allocated during the midterm elections does not fulfill the requirement that the House of Representatives should be composed of 20 percent party-list seats.

The party-list welcomed the poll body’s decision, noting that it came at a pivotal time.

“Time and again, it is the poor and marginalized, especially women, who bear the brunt of corruption and misuse of public funds. The people need a fearless voice in Congress who will relentlessly pursue accountability and push for laws that ensure transparency and integrity in government,” it said in a statement.

The group said that it will continue to mobilize to lobby for “genuine change” and push for a “truly democratic government.”