Sarah Elago
{{Philippine name|Ibañez|Elago}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Sarah Elago
| image = HoR Official Portrait Sarah Jane Elago.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| caption = Official portrait, 2019
| office = Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Kabataan Party-list
| term_start = June 30, 2016
| term_end = June 30, 2022
| party = Gabriela (2024–present)
Makabayan (2016–present)
| otherparty = Kabataan (until 2024)
| birth_name = Sarah Jane Ibañez Elago
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|10|18}}
| birth_place = Las Piñas, Philippines
| alma_mater = {{hlist|University of the Philippines Diliman {{small|(BS HRIM)}}}}
}}
Sarah Jane Ibañez Elago (born October 18, 1989) is a Filipino activist and politician who served as the representative for Kabataan Party-list from 2016 to 2022. During her tenure, she was the youngest female member of the House of Representatives.
A graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Elago served as the national president of the National Union of Students in the Philippines and was active in student activism. During her congressional tenure, she sat as a member of the House minority bloc and supported the franchise renewal for broadcast network ABS-CBN.
After leaving Congress, Elago remained active in the Makabayan Coalition and was among those who filed the second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. In 2025, she unsuccessfully sought a return to the House of Representatives as the first nominee of the Gabriela Women's Party, which lost its sole seat in the lower chamber. After the registration of Duterte Youth was revoked in June 2025, media outlets observed that Gabriela could regain its Congress.
Early life and education
Elago was born on October 18, 1989, in Las Piñas. As a child, she stuttered and found it difficult to speak to others. {{cite news |title=Woman shares how she cured own stuttering |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/10/22/12/woman-shares-how-she-cured-own-stuttering |accessdate=7 May 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |language=en}} She learned to manage the disability by joining drama clubs, singing, and reading out loud. She would eventually study at the University of the Philippines Diliman, graduating cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management.{{Cite web |last=Victoria |first=Lhealyn |date=2016-05-26 |title=Sarah Elago {{!}} 'The youth must be leaders of today' |url=https://www.bulatlat.com/2016/05/26/sarah-elago-the-youth-must-be-leaders-of-today/ |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=Bulatlat |language=en-US}}
While in UP, she was a member of The UP Repertory Company (UP Rep), UP Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino ({{literal|UP Filipino Contemporary Gamelan}}), a theater arts performing group, and a student councilor for two years. Elago was also involved in youth sectoral politics and activism, becoming a coordinator for Youth Vote Philippines and Rock the Vote Philippines, an officer in the International Youth Council, and a member of the Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights - National Youth Committee in 2013. She was also the national president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, and a national convenor for the Rise for Education Alliance and Youth for Accountability and Truth Now.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025}}
House of Representatives (2016–2022)
= Elections =
In her campaign for Kabataan Party-list in 2016, Elago campaigned for the advancement of a "youth agenda", as well as for free education, free internet access, and gender equality.{{cite news |last=Beltran |first=Michael |date=April 30, 2019 |title=Sarah Elago, the Youngest Lawmaker in the Philippines, Challenges Duterte's Boys Club |url=https://international.thenewslens.com/article/117995 |accessdate=May 7, 2020 |work=The News Lens International Edition |language=en}} She was re-elected in 2019.
= Tenure =
{{Needs expansion|coverage of major legislative initiatives and other notable actions|date=June 2025}}
During her tenure, Elago served as a member of the minority for 12 House committees, including Youth and Sports Development, Women and Gender Equality, and Higher and Technical Education.{{Cite web|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=elago-s&pg=commem#tab|title=COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP - Hon. Elago, Sarah Jane I.|last=|first=|date=|website=House of Representatives|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 March 2020}}
During the School Strike for Climate in May 2019, Elago joined youth protesters calling for a rejection of government proposals that could have detrimental effects on the environment.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-25 |title=In photos: Filipino youth rally for climate justice |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/231492-photos-filipino-youth-strike-nationwide-climate-justice/ |access-date=2021-12-18 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}
Elago supported the franchise renewal for broadcast network ABS-CBN.{{Cite web|last=Maru|first=Davinci|date=2021-07-09|title=Brave 11: Solons who voted for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/multimedia/slideshow/07/09/21/abs-cbn-franchise-rejection-brave-11-solons|access-date=2021-12-18|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Hitosis|first=Jet|date=2021-07-10|title=ABS-CBN franchise renewal timeline; how much income did ABS-CBN lose in 2020?|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/159387/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-timeline-update-a4437-a716-a4437-20210710-lfrm5|access-date=2021-12-18|website=PEP|language=en}} She was also among the representatives who opposed a bill allowing full foreign ownership in power, transport, and communications sectors in the Philippines.{{Cite web|last=Mercado|first=Neil Arwin|date=February 20, 2020|title='PH for sale': Solons hit move to allow foreign ownership of public utilities|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231282/ph-for-sale-solons-hit-move-to-allow-foreign-ownership-of-public-utilities|access-date=December 18, 2021|website=Inquirer|language=en}}
Post-congressional career
On December 4, 2024, Elago and 74 others filed the second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, submitting one article of impeachment: betrayal of public trust.{{cite news|last=Lalu|first=Gabriel Pabico|title=VP Sara Duterte faces 2nd impeachment rap|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2012345/vp-sara-duterte-faces-2nd-impeachment-rap|access-date=December 4, 2024|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|publisher=INQUIRER.net|date=December 4, 2024|location=Manila, Philippines}}{{cite news|last=De Leon|first=Dwight|title=Sara Duterte slapped with second impeachment complaint|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/progressive-groups-file-second-impeachment-complaint-vice-president-sara-duterte-december-2024/|access-date=December 4, 2024|work=Rappler|publisher=Rappler Inc.|date=December 4, 2024|location=Manila, Philippines}}
2025 Philippine House of Representatives campaign
{{Main article|2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections}}
On October 4, 2024, the Gabriela Women's Party filed its certification of nomination and acceptance for the 2025 election, which listed Elago as its first nominee, followed by Cathy Estabillo and Jean Lindo.{{cite news |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=2024-10-04 |title=Sarah Elago seeks House return via Gabriela, vows push for divorce |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/sarah-elago-first-nominee-gabriela-partylist-2025-elections/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Rappler |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Serquiña |first=Mariel Celine |date=2024-10-04 |title=Gabriela-partylist seeks House seat for 2025 polls |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922586/gabriela-partylist-seeks-house-seat-for-2025-polls/story/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} The party pursued a progressive platform of enshrining gender equality and rights for the LGBTQ+ community, expressing support for the SOGIE Equality Bill and divorce legislation.{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Dominique Nicole |date=2024-10-04 |title=Gabriela sets sights on party-list reelection |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/10/04/2389346/gabriela-sets-sights-party-list-reelection |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Philstar.com}} During the campaign, Elago spoke in favor of decriminalizing abortion in the Philippines and including transgender women in Women's History Month celebrations.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |date=2024-10-04 |title=Gabriela party-list nominee wants to decriminalize abortion in PH |url=https://www.inquirer.net/415516/gabriela-party-list-nominee-wants-to-decriminalize-abortion/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Limos |first=Allen |date=2025-03-09 |title='Women's Month includes transgender women' |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/09/news/national/womens-month-includes-transgender-women/2069707 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}
On March 26, 2025, her party filed a complaint against the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), citing incidents of red-tagging and gender-based sexual harassment from the task force.{{Cite web |last=Sampang |first=Dianne |date=2025-03-26 |title=Gabriela Party-list files red-tagging complaint vs NTF-Elcac |url=https://www.inquirer.net/433825/fwd-gabriela-party-list-files-red-tagging-complaint-vs-ntf-elcac/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}} Jonathan Malaya, the head of the National Security Council, derided the complaint, defending the NTF-ELCAC and insisting that "former rebels" are responsible for the incidents.{{Cite web |last=Cabato |first=Luisa |date=2025-03-26 |title=NSC exec fires back at Gabriela over red-tagging claim |url=https://www.inquirer.net/433863/nsc-exec-fires-back-at-gabriela-over-red-tagging-claim/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}}
In the May 12 election, Gabriela won no seats, leaving the organization without representation for the first time since its founding as a party-list in 2003. They received 0.61% of the vote, placing 55th and nearly halving their vote share from 2022.{{Cite news |last=Villaruel |first=Jauhn Etienne |date=2025-05-19 |title=Gabriela party-list ends 21-year congressional streak but vows to continue fighting |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/19/gabriela-party-list-ends-21-year-congressional-streak-but-vows-to-continue-fighting-1857 |work=ABS-CBN News}} Following the election, the party urged the COMELEC to conduct a manual recount, citing discrepancies in vote counting.{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Dominique Nicole |date=2025-05-16 |title=Gabriela seeks manual recount, probe into vote discrepancies |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/16/2443579/gabriela-seeks-manual-recount-probe-vote-discrepancies |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web |last=Ferreras |first=Vince Angelo |date=2025-05-17 |title=Gabriela asks Comelec to look into alleged discrepancy in Eleksyon 2025 vote counts |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/946450/gabriela-asks-comelec-to-look-into-alleged-discrepancy-in-eleksyon-2025-vote-counts/story/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}
Despite their loss, media outlets observed that with Gabriela's vote share, it was still possible for Gabriela to obtain a seat the disqualification of a winning party-list. Following the election, the proclamation of two winning party-lists—Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon (BH)—was suspended due to ongoing cases against them.{{Cite web |last=de Leon |first=Dwight |date=2025-05-21 |title=Can Gabriela, others still make a late Congress entry, like Akbayan in 2024? |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/explainers/can-gabriela-party-list-groups-make-late-entry-congress-disqualification-case-duterte-youth/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bordey |first=Hana |date=2025-05-19 |title=Kabataan hopes Gabriela will get House seat amid suspension of 2 party-lists’ proclamation |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/946677/kabataan-hopes-gabriela-will-get-house-seat-amid-suspension-of-2-party-lists-proclamation/story/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}} The latter's case was dismissed on June 1,{{Cite web |last=Villanueva |first=Rhodina |date=2025-06-01 |title=Comelec affirms dismissal of case vs Bagong Henerasyon party-list |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/06/01/2447273/comelec-affirms-dismissal-case-vs-bagong-henerasyon-party-list |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Philstar.com}} while the registration of the former was cancelled on June 18.{{Cite web |last=Sampang |first=Dianne |date=2025-06-18 |title=Comelec 2nd Division cancels Duterte Youth party-list’s registration |url=https://www.inquirer.net/447169/comelec-2nd-division-cancels-duterte-youth-party-lists-registration/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jaymalin |first=Mayen |date=2025-06-19 |title=Comelec cancels Duterte Youth party-list registration |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/19/2451609/comelec-cancels-duterte-youth-party-list-registration |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Philstar.com}} In response to the initial ruling on Duterte Youth, Gabriela urged the COMELEC to expedite their case and proclaim them as a winning party as soon as possible.{{Cite web |last=Porcalla |first=Delon |date=2025-06-20 |title=Comelec urged to proclaim Gabriela nominee |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/20/2451865/comelec-urged-proclaim-gabriela-nominee |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}}
Public profile
Elago was the youngest female member of the House of Representatives during her tenure, having served from the ages of 26 to 33.{{Cite web |last=Cupin |first=Bea |date=23 March 2018 |title=Sarah Elago on why being young and being a dissenter matters |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/198739-sarah-elago-profile-legislators-philippines |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=Rappler |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-08 |title=Sarah Elago of Kabataan Partylist tells us why being woke is not enough |url=https://www.scoutmag.ph/culture/q-a/sarah-elago-kabataan-youngest-legislator-olivere-20190508 |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=Scout Magazine |language=en-US}} Besides being the youngest lawmaker, she is also the poorest lawmaker with a net worth of ₱85,400 based on her 2018 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).{{Cite web |title=Kabataan Rep. Elago, pinakamahirap na kongresista {{!}} Abante TNT Breaking News |url=https://tnt.abante.com.ph/kabataan-rep-elago-pinakamahirap-na-kongresista/ |access-date=2020-03-08 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kabataan party-list rep still House's poorest lawmaker |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/12/19/kabataan-party-list-rep-still-houses-poorest-lawmaker |access-date=2020-03-08 |website=ABS-CBN News |language=en}} She was also the poorest in 2017 with a net worth of ₱75,800.
Personal life
Elago is the founding president of the Philippine Stuttering Association, an advocacy group that supports people who stutter. She has also shown support to breast cancer warriors and survivors by donating her hair.{{Cite web |title=Sarah Elago nagpaikli ng buhok para sa nanay, kanser {{!}} Abante TNT Breaking News |url=https://tnt.abante.com.ph/sarah-elago-nagpaikli-ng-buhok-para-sa-nanay-kanser/ |access-date=2020-03-08 |language=en-US}}
Electoral history
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|+ Electoral history of Sarah Elago ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Year ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Office ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Party ! colspan="4" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Votes received ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Result |
| style="background:#eaecf0;" |Total
! style="background:#eaecf0;" | % ! style="background:#eaecf0;" |{{abbr|2=Position|P}}. ! style="background:#eaecf0;" |Swing |
|---|
| 2016
| rowspan="3" | Representative (Party-list) | rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Kabataan}};" | | rowspan="2" | Kabataan |300,420 |0.93% |35th | -0.31 | {{Won}} |
| 2019
|195,837 |0.70% |45th | -0.23 | {{Won}} |
| 2025
| style="background:{{party color|Gabriela Women's Party}};" | |256,811 |0.61% |55th | -0.54 | {{Lost}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{commons category-inline}}
- {{facebook|sjielago}}
- {{instagram|sarahelago}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elago, Sarah}}
Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni
Category:Party-list members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Category:Women members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
Category:Makabayan politicians
Category:21st-century Filipino politicians
Category:Filipino anti-fascists
Category:Filipino women activists
Category:21st-century Filipino women politicians