After months of deliberation, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed on Sunday, September 14, that Gabriela Women’s Party will occupy the 64th and final party-list seat in the 20th Congress, following a review to ensure compliance with the constitutional mandate that sectoral representatives comprise 20 percent of the House of Representatives.

In a radio interview, COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said the proclamation corrects an earlier shortfall in the allocation, with the 63 previously declared party-list seats accounting for only 19.8 percent of the House membership. With Gabriela’s inclusion, the figure now rises slightly above the threshold at 20.4 percent.

Moreover, Sarah Elago, Gabriela’s first nominee and a former representative of the Kabataan Party-list, will lead the party’s return to the legislature.

Gabriela Women’s Party, which placed 55th in the 2025 midterm elections, has been recognized for pushing legislation on the rights and welfare of women, children, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Meanwhile, the official proclamation of Gabriela Women’s Party is expected this week following the decision of the COMELEC en banc.

Article by Alrey Lacaba