The upcoming midterm elections remain a critical opportunity to strengthen women’s representation at various levels of government, one of which is representation in Congress — a vital avenue for the advancement of pro-women and pro-people legislation. Increased participation of women in policy making will help address gender disparities and ensure that laws address the needs of marginalized sectors. The challenge for women is not simply about choosing leaders, but shaping a pro-women and pro-people legislative agenda and governance for all.
The Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) reviews the leading women’s partylists to serve as a guide to women voters. Based on the surveys of Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations, the leading women’s partylist groups and their nominees are as follows:
Nanay Partylist
- Florabel Co Yatco – Chef-entrepreneur and owner of Florabel Group of Restaurants; married into the Laguna Political family of the Yatco’s – Mike Yatco running under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Cookie Yatco under Aksyon Demokratiko
- Ananias Liangco Canlas Jr. – Male, 3rd District Pampanga Provincial Board Member under Aksyon Demokratiko
- Yolanda Miranda Pineda – Married into Pineda Pampanga Political Dynasty. Wife of Dennis Pineda, the son of alleged gambling lord Rodolfo Pineda.
Kababaihan Partylist (Hanay ng mga Kababaihan at Kanilang mga Kasangga sa Lipunan)
- Kate Abigael Galang-Coseteng – Councilor, District 3, Chairperson, Committee on People with Disabilities
- Ria C.Romualdo – Married into Camiguin political family Romualdos, wife of incumbent Camiguin Governor Jesus D. Romualdo who was a member of 2020 Technical Working Group (TWG) that recommended the disapproval of ABS-CBN franchise application, affecting 11,000 workers.
- Carolyn M. Cabling – Lawyer
Gabriela Women’s Party
- Sarah Jane I. Elago – Former Kabataan partylist representative (2016-2022), Vice Chairperson of Gabriela Women’s Party, Convenor of Parliamentarians and Advocates for C190 and Babae Para sa Inang Bayan (BIBA)
- Catarina T. Estavillo – Secretary-General of Amihan Federation of Peasant Women, and Spokesperson of Bantay Bigas
- Jean Suzanne A.Lindo – Davao-based Community Doctor, former Chairperson of Gabriela Southern Mindanao, Co-Chairperson of Panalipdan-Mindanao, Faculty member of the Department of Community Medicine of the Davao Medical School Foundation
Babae Ako (Babae Ako Para sa Bayan Inc.) Partylist
- Rossel C. Dimayuga – CEO of multiple companies including Shantal’s Beauty and Wellness Products that launched eight months before elections, Bright One Glorious Star Inc., One Genki Corporation, RadCorp, Promptus Trading Inc., Nobles One Solutions Agency Inc., Bagwis Security & Investigative Services Inc., and Empress Textile and Garments Manufacturing Corp.
- Geeian M. Gambala – Member of Project Eight Initiative
- Loreta Caburnay – Program Lead for Fashion for a Cause from The Project Eight Initiative
1 out of 4 top women PL stands against corruption
In a survey conducted by the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) on women’s political participation, women voters were asked about the qualities they dislike in candidates. Corruption emerged as the most cited factor, with 31% of respondents identifying it as their primary concern. This strong response reflects the public’s demand for transparency and ethical governance, underscoring how deeply corruption erodes trust in leadership.
Interestingly, three of the four leading women’s party-list groups—Nanay Party-list, Kababaihan Party-list, and Babae Ako Party-list—did not articulate a clear stance on corruption issues. This silence persisted even as multiple corruption allegations surfaced during the budget deliberations and impeachment proceedings against former Vice President Sara Duterte, including accusations directly related to corruption.
Among the women’s party-list groups, only Gabriela Women’s Party has taken a clear stand against corruption, calling for a thorough investigation into the charges against former Vice President Duterte.
“We demand transparency and accountability from our leaders, especially in light of the severe implications of corruption, which manifest in widespread poverty, hunger, and the ongoing economic crisis affecting Filipinos every day,” said Representative Arlene Brosas.
Gabriela has consistently championed anti-corruption efforts, linking the fight against graft to its broader advocacy for social justice and the welfare of marginalized women and families, particularly those victimized by the War on Drugs.
Disparities in strategies to address women worker’s’ unemployment and meager wages
In the same survey by CWR, women voters were asked what issues they think political candidates must address;, 61.35% answered Economic Concerns – jobs creation (20.48%)
Among party-list groups, there is a noticeable disparity in how they propose to tackle this issue:
- Nanay PL and Babae Ako PL advocate for livelihood support through programs such as Nanay PL’s “Pangkabuhayan training and seminars” and Babae Ako PL’s “Tulong Pangkabuhayan Program.” These initiatives focus on small-scale livelihood as an immediate response to unemployment.
- Kababaihan PL, meanwhile, proposes to enhance women’s access to credit by pushing for a Microfinance Law for Women, aiming to promote financial independence through small loans.
However, amid the worsening economic crisis — marked by rising unemployment, inflation, and deepening poverty — these approaches, while helpful at the micro level, risk falling short if they are not matched by structural policy changes that address the root causes of women’s economic marginalization.
In contrast, Gabriela PL maintains a more systemic approach, advocating for the strengthening of local industries and pro-farmer legislation as the foundation for genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, and sustainable job creation. This perspective emphasizes that what is urgently needed are structural economic reforms — such as land redistribution, support for domestic production, and protection of workers’ rights — to create stable, decent employment and raise wages rather than rely solely on stopgap livelihood projects or microcredit schemes.
1 out of 4 top women PL with a concrete plan to lower the prices of commodities, calls for wage increase
Survey respondents indicated that candidates must address the rising cost of commodities (23.23%) and the need for higher wages (17.64%).
However, there is no available information on the positions of Nanay Party-list, Babae Ako Party-list, and Kababaihan Partylist regarding the escalating cost of basic goods and persistently low wages. In contrast, only the Gabriela Partylist has explicitly called for the removal of regressive taxes—including the Value Added Tax, Excise Tax, and the Oil Deregulation Law—as immediate measures to provide economic relief for women.
On the issue of wage increases, Nanay Party-list has highlighted the need for regular and fixed wages specifically for Barangay Health Workers. On the other hand, Gabriela Women’s Party advocates for the abolition of Regional Wage Boards and the establishment of a national minimum wage of Php 1,200, based on the Family Living Wage standard. Meanwhile, Kababaihan Party-list and Babae Ako Party-list have yet to release any statements on wage-related concerns.
Toward genuine women’s representation
As the country faces an intensifying economic crisis, voters—especially women—are encouraged to be critical and discerning in choosing whom to vote for. It is important to examine candidates’ platforms, track records, and advocacies and to support those whose concrete plans and commitments can genuinely improve the lives of women and families in these challenging times.