Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) vowed to continue championing women and children’s rights as it fields proven leaders as its first three nominees in next year’s party list elections.

In its ninth national convention in Marikina City Tuesday, September 24, the country’s lone women’s party in Congress announced its first three nominees in former Kabataan Youth Party Rep. Sarah Elago, Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo and Davao-based health worker Dr. Jean Lindo.

“Our nominees, representing a broad coalition of farmers, workers, professionals, and more, exemplify the real solidarity of women fighting against a corrupt system,” GWP said.

Currently GWP’s vice chairperson and policy consultant on young women’s affairs, Elago has been declared the group’s first nominee.

A convenor of the Parliamentarians and Advocates for C190 and Babae Para Sa Inangbayan (BIBA), Elago has consistently championed the rights of young women and the youth.

As Kabataan Youth Party Representative, Elago authored 23 laws of national importance, including the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which expanded access to higher education; the Free Public Internet Access Act, which aimed to bridge the digital divide; the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act; and the Anti-OSAEC Act, which strengthened protections against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, Gabriela said.

Affordable rice campaigner Estavillo is the party’s second nominee who has decades of experience advocating for peasant women’s rights, the group said.

“Her work as the spokesperson of Bantay Bigas and secretary general of the Asia Peasant Coalition underscores her commitment to Genuine Land Reform, food security, and the upliftment of peasant families,” GWP said.

Estavillo is the party’s legislative consultant for Peasant Women’s Affairs.

Davao-based doctor Lindo has campaigned for the strengthening of the national public health system, sufficient funding for women’s health, and increasing the salaries and benefits of healthcare workers, the party said.

As party vice president, Lindo’s “expertise and compassionate service” promise transformative reforms in the healthcare sector, it added.

“These nominees represent the unity of women and the immense power of collective action. They show that true progress is only possible when women unite to dismantle oppressive systems and lead the charge for justice, equality, and meaningful change,” GWP said.

“Together, they embody the strength and resolve of a movement dedicated to creating a society where every woman, child, and marginalized community can thrive with dignity,” it further said.

Since winning in the 2004 elections, GWP has represented women, children and marginalized sectors in the House of Representatives.

Its current representative, Arlene Brosas, is among the Makabayan Coalition congresspersons credited for eliminating questionable confidential and intelligence funds at the Department of Education and Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte.  

The party said it also remains steadfast in its opposition to any attempts to cancel its registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on allegations it is a front of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“We will not be silenced. We call upon Filipino women and the broader public to rally behind our pro-poor, pro-people platform that seeks to dismantle systemic oppression,” the party said.

Gabriela’s ninth convention is themed, “Kamtin Ang Mas Malawak na Pagkakaisa at Tagumpay! Babae, Bata, Bayan sa Kongreso at Senado, Tuloy Ang Laban!” (Achieve wider unity and victory. Women, children, the people in Congress. The fight continues!) “Now is the time to show what true unity looks like—a unity forged by various sectors of society determined to dismantle the rotten politics of the ruling elite and call for genuine freedom and democracy,” GWP said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)