The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) as a winning group in this year’s national elections, giving the 64th partylist group to its first nominee and former Kabataan Youth Party Rep. Sarah Elago.
In a ceremony at the Palacio del Gobernador, the National Board of Canvassers declared GWP as having gathered enough number of votes to win in the elections after the Comelec disqualified controversial group Duterte Youth for violating election rules.
Election commissioners, led by Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia led the ceremonies.
In an interview with reporters after the proclamation, Elago said GWP will immediately go to work and will participate in the ongoing investigations on corruption in public works projects.
GWP again joins ACT Teachers Party and Kabataan in the Makabayan Bloc of progressive parties in the House of Representatives.
Its victory in this year’s elections marks the eight straight time the party has won in the partylist elections. It had been represented by the likes of Liza Masa, Luz Ilagan, Emi de Jesus, and Arlene Brosas.
GWP remains as the lone women’s political party in power in the world today.
It has consistently been listed as a top performer having authored and co-authored landmark pro-women laws and resolutions such as the Expanded Maternity Law, Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, Anti-Violance Against Women and Children Law (VAWC), End Child Rape Law, Anti-Child Pornography Act, Safe Spaces Act, Anti-VAWC amendment to include Electronic VAW, ratification of ILO Convention to eliminate violence and harassment at work, and Occupational Safety and Health Law.
GWP also participated in various investigations on human rights violations as well as on corruption, including those that exposed Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misspending of confidential and intelligence funds. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
