Women and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are undoubtedly important sectors in society, but the results of the 2025 party-list race could arguably lead to weakened voices in Congress as far as their advocacies are concerned.
This, after Gabriela Women’s Party and OFW Party-list failed to secure seats in the House of Representatives in the upcoming 20th Congress.
Both party-lists have one representative each in the current 19th Congress, which will adjourn sine die on June 13.
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas outright claimed that her party-list was cheated out of victory in the May 12 polls, along with fellow Makabayan group Bayan Muna.
“Mariin nating kinokondena ang patuloy na pagdomina sa party-list system ng mga dinastiya at malalaking negosyante. Hindi ito ang diwa ng representasyon na ipinaglaban ng mamamayan," Brosas said.
(We strongly condemn the continued dominance of dynasties and big businessmen in the party-list system. This is not the essence of representation that the people fought for.)
Gabriela noninee Sarah Elago say that even without the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) proclamation, the group vows to continue its legislative and grassroots work for the rights and welfare of women and the marginalized.
“Hindi man tayo iproklama, tuloy ang pangangalampag ng Gabriela Women’s Party para sa mga panukalang batas na tunay na maka-kababaihan at maka-mahirap,” said Gabriela Partylist's Vice President Sarah Elago.
(Even if we are not proclaimed, the Gabriela Women’s Party will continue to fight for legislative measures that truly uphold the rights of women and the marginalized.)
“Patuloy nating isusulong ang amyenda sa Anti-VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) Law at Anti-Rape Law, SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) Equality Bill, dagdag sahod, pagbabasura sa VAT at Excise Tax, pagpasa ng Anti-Dynasty Law, pagsusulong ng hybrid election system, Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB), at pagpapalakas ng serbisyong panlipunan—kalusugan, edukasyon, at pabahay,” she said.
(We will continue to push for amendments to the Anti-VAWC Law and the Anti-Rape Law, the SOGIE Equality Bill, wage increases, the removal of VAT and Excise Tax, the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Law, the promotion of a hybrid election system, the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB), and the strengthening of social services—health, education, and housing.)
'Our voice should not be denied'
Also losing its voice in the 300- plus strong House of Representatives was OFW Party-list. Its current congresswoman is Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino.
Magsino said they will challenge Comelec's party-list seat allocation before the Supreme Court (SC). “We will fight for the right to representation of OFWs and seafarers all the way to the [SC]. Our voice should not be denied in Congress simply because of an inequitable and disproportionate distribution of seats.”
Supporters from various OFW and maritime communities have expressed dismay over the outcome. They cited the critical role that representation plays in policy-making for migrant workers.
“We are saddened by the absence of a dedicated voice for OFWs in the 20th Congress. We feel disregarded despite OFWs’ and seafarers’ contributions to our economy and society,” said a seafarers’ rights coordinator based in Manila.
The disparity in seat allocation has also sparked conversations among election lawyers and sectoral advocates, even as some sectoral groups with notable vote shares were not granted any representation.
Despite the poll setback, Magsino said OFW Party-list "will not allow our voice to be silenced".
“We may not have a seat in the 20th Congress, but our service continues. We remain the voice of OFWs and seafarers, in every case, in every policy, in every struggle. We are not stepping back; we are stepping forward.”
Magsino said the OFW Tulong at Serbisyo Center will remain open to continue the party-list’s advocacies and services.