Comelec: Elago can take oath before new House speaker

Newly proclaimed Gabriela party-list nominee Sarah Jane Elago may have to take her oath before the new House speaker before assuming the post.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said Elago can take her oath before the Speaker in open session upon the issuance of a certificate of proclamation.

“They can take their oath at once and assume office as soon as we proclaim them,” Garcia said yesterday in Filipino. “Once proclaimed and they have taken their oath and assumed position, we will lose jurisdiction over them.”

Yesterday, Elago officially took her oath as the first nominee of Gabriela Women’s Party, which has been proclaimed winner of the 64th party-list seat in a simple ceremony at the Comelec main office.

Elago said the proclamation of Gabriela is a victory for women who fought to have representation in Congress.

As Gabriela’s nominee, Elago said she is ready to assume the post and file priority bills.

Elago said Gabriela will push for the P1,200 living wage bill, national minimum wage bill, SOGIE equality and divorce bills.