Gabriela Partylist to join 2022 polls despite pending disqualification case

MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Partylist filed Monday its manifestation of intent to participate in the May 2022 elections “as an act of defiance” to the disqualification plea filed against them by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas filed the manifestation at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on International Working Women’s Day.

“We are actively campaigning against the NTF-ELCAC’s disqualification case, particularly its claim that we are ‘advocating violence’, as we are well aware that it would set the pretext for wholesale proscription of members of Gabriela Women’s Party nationwide under the Anti-Terror Law,” Brosas said in a statement.

“But we will never back down. We will never be fazed by the Duterte regime’s evil ploy to shun women representation out of the Lower House and disenfranchise millions of marginalized Filipino women,” the lawmaker added.

Brosas said the partylist will continue to step up its advocacy on women’s rights.

“Patung-patong ang inhustisya at panggigipit sa mga kababaihang naghahangad ng mas maaliwas na bukas para sa kanilang pamilya,” Brosas said.

(The injustices are piling up on women who are just hoping for a better future for their families.)

“Kaya walang mas mainam pang paraan para isabuhay ang diwa ng Marso Otso kundi ang pagpapatuloy at pagpapalakas ng aming mga panawagan at kampanya para sa ayuda, bakuna at ligtas na lipunan sa panahon kung saan lalong tumitindi ang pang-aabuso sa kababaihan, bata, at bayan,” she added.

(There’s no better way of celebrating March 8 than continuing or call for vaccine and a safe society especially amid the abuse against women and children.)

READ: Makabayan to fight poll disqualification bid

JE