By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Women’s groups on Tuesday (July 1) urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proclaim Gabriela Partylist as they tackled electoral reform and genuine women’s representation in the 20th Congress.In a press conference in Kamuning Bakery Café hosted by Clarice Palce, leaders from BABAE Para sa InangBayan (BIBA), Gabriela Women’s Party, and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan exposed systemic barriers blocking women’s political representation—and unveiled a bold plan to smash them.
Palce said that they will not allow that no real and sufficient voice and representation of women in the 20th Congress, and forthwith cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth Partylist and immediately proclaim the Gabriela Partylist.
She added that they will not agree with the proliferation of political dynasties, proclaim the Gabriela Partylist now, and allow more women’s voice in the 20th Congress.
Art as protest, feminist artist Julie Lluch Dalena debut a provocative artwork symbolizing women’s fight for equal power, live at the event.
Dalena expressed her unequivocal support for the Gabriela Partylist.
Susan Macabuang, Convenor of BIBA, cited that one woman is victimized by violence every minute in 2024.
Macabuang said that the economic disparities and the continuing poverty of the patriarch and the values of patriarchal cannot be avoided.
Jacq Ruiz, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, said that the voice of women is really needed in the 20th Congress, especially considering the PHP50 wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR) which is not enough to have a decent living for the workers.
Ruiz cited the plight of women workers in the fishing industry, as well as the farmers, whose voices should be heard.
She urged for the real disqualification of Duterte Youth Partylist and proclaim Gabriela Partylist now.
Fhabi Fajardo, BIBA Convenor and Women’s Rights Advocate, said that they beg Comelec to immediately cancel the registration of Duterte Youth Partylist because they have already served for two terms in Congress and they have continuously received their salary from government.
Fajardo added that the laws and regulations are crafted to protect the government and its people.
She cited that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now detained at the ICC Detention Facility in The Hauge, The Netherlands for crimes against humanity and the Duiterte Youth Partylist is allegedly continuously committing abuses.
Fajardo urged the Comelec to rule with finality the disqualification of the Duterte Youth Partylist as the case has been dragging since 2019.
She stressed that there should really be “electoral transparency” on the part of the Comelec where the Comelec said there’s “grave abuse of discretion” on the part of the Duterte Youth Partylist and the Duterte Youth Partylist said there’s “grave abuse of law”.
Dr. Judy Taguiwalo, BIBA Convenor and former DSWD Secretary, cited Comelec Resolution 1116 which disqualified Atty. Ian Sia as a Congressional candidate in the Lone District of Pasig City in the just concluded May 12 elections.
Dr. Taguiwalo noted that 15,000 votes of Gabriela were lost and several others were disenfranchised.
Dr. Taguiwalo said that Gabriela is actually campaigning for women’s rights and not only in the field of legislation, especially so that in a democracy, Gabriela and the youth should really represent the women and youth’s rights.
Dr. Taguiwalo pointed out that the 1987 Constitution provides that there should be a 20% representation of Partylist in the House of Representatives, and that there’s a big possibility that if and when the Duterte Youth Partylist is finally disqualified, Gabriela Partlist has a big chance of winning seats in the 20th Congress.
However, Dr. Taguiwalo said, “the important thing is first the disqualification of the Duterte Youth Partylist”.
Sara Elago, Convenor of BIBA, said “Ang panawagan namin sa Gabriela: Laban Kababaihan.”
Elago is calling for the strengthening of the VACW Law, the Divorce Bill, SOGIE Bill, which are long overdue and should be prioritized.
She is also urging for the prioritization of the legislated wage law, public healthcare in the Philippines, especially mental health, Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, among others.
In Gabriela, Elago said, Gabriela will continue to stand and fight.
Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas.
Elago is urging the Comelec to declare as void ab initio (from the very beginning) the registration of Duterte Youth Partylist.
Elago has served for two terms (six years) as Gabriela Partylist representative in Congress.
She noted that the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill is now not moving in Congress, saying that she is also pushing for the amendment in the Omnibus Election Code.
Elago added that the Gabriela Women’s Partylist is also pushing for a legislated wage increase nationwide. ###
