Gabriela Rep. Elago to take oath as House member Monday

The House minority bloc is set to be 28-strong with the looming entry of Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago who will take her oath before newly-elected Speaker Francisco “Bojie” Dy III on Monday, September 22.

“I was told I will take oath on Monday during the open session, for the ceremonial affirmation of our entry into our duties as a member of the House of Representatives. We, in the Gabriela Women's Party, also hope to join the [House] Minority as we maintain our independence and faithfulness in advising the agenda of women, LGBTQIA+, and children in and out of Congress,” Elago said in her first press conference in Batasan after the proclamation.

“Kaya asahan ninyo po na may dagdag na hindi lang magbabantay, pero lalaban talaga na para sa agenda ng mga maralitang kababaihan,” she added.

(That is why you can count on us as an additional ally who will not only be vigilant but will also truly fight for the rights of our women.)

The Commission on Elections earlier proclaimed Gabriela as the winner of the 64th congressional seat in the 2025 May elections.

While Gabriela was proclaimed winner, Elago said the fight never gets easy amid the changing landscape of the party-list system over the years.

“It is hard to win an election in a party-list system packed with political dynasties, big-time contractors and red-tagging, on top of smear campaigns. Our leaders are being surveilled, faced trumped up charges. But these won’t deter us. Nandito pa rin kami lumalaban at handang magpanalo ng agenda ng mga kababaihan at labanan ang korapsyon,” Elago, who previously served as Kabataan party-list Rep. from 2016 to 2022, said.

(We will still be here fighting, ready to score wins for women’s rights and eradication of corruption.)

As this developed, House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio said the Makabayan bloc’s decision to remain with the minority led by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan even with the change of Speakership is anchored on the latter's proven respect for Makabayan’s positions on issues which do not always align with that of Libanan’s or other House minority members.

“Based on Congressman Libanan’s track record last Congress, we had a positive relationship with him. And until now, we see his support when Makabayan states a position that is different from his,” Tinio said.

He cited an instance wherein Libanan made a motion to forego questioning during the House appropriations panel budget hearing for the Office of the President due to parliamentary courtesy but still asked the same panel to allow Tinio to express opposition to extending such parliamentary courtesy.

“He understands our position and objections, and that is a concrete example of our good working relationship. So as far as we're concerned, our good working relationship remains under the new leadership,” Tinio said, referring to the election of Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as the new Speaker, replacing Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Pending Elago’s official entry in the House, the 27 members of the House Minority bloc include:

• Arlene Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands, Lone District)
• Edgar Erice (Caloocan City, Second District)
• Cielo Krisel Lagman (Albay, First District)
• Jesus Suntay (Quezon City, Fourth District)
• Audrey Kay Zubiri (Bukidnon, Third District)
• Christopher Sheen Gonzales (Eastern Samar, Lone District)
• Stephen James Tan (Samar, First District)
• Reynolds Michael Tan (Samar, Second District)
• Niko Raul Daza (Northern Samar, First District)
• Leila De Lima (Mamamayang Liberal party-list)
• Jose Manuel Diokno (Akbayan party-list)
• Percival Cendaña (Akbayan party-list)
• Dadah Kiram Ismula (Akbayan party-list)
• Paolo Henry Marcoleta (Sagip party-list)
• Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps party-list)
• Presley De Jesus (Philreca party-list)
• Sergio Dagooc (Apec party-list)
• Antonio Tinio (ACT-Teachers party-list)
• Renee Louise Co (Kabataan party-list)
• Roberto Gerard Nazal Jr. (Bagong Henerasyon party-list)
• Jernie Jett Nisay (Pusong Pinoy party-list)
• Allan Ty (LPGMA party-list)
• Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro party-list)
• Elijah San Fernando (Kamanggagawa party-list)
• Arlyn Ayon (Swerte party-list) and
• Iris Marie Montes (4K party-list)

—AOL, GMA Integrated News