Sarah Elago

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Philippine House of Representatives for Kabataan
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Preceded byTerry Ridon
Succeeded byRaoul Manuel
Personal details
Born
Sarah Jane Ibañez Elago

(1989-10-18) October 18, 1989 (age 34)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyKabataan (party-list representative)
Makabayan (2016)
Alma mater

Sarah Jane Ibañez Elago (born October 18, 1989) is a Filipino activist and politician. She was a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for its 17th and 18th Congress, both times representing the youth sector under Kabataan Party-list. Before entering Congress, she was also the national president of the National Union of Students in the Philippines.[1] As of May 2019, she was the youngest female lawmaker in the Philippines.[2]

Early life and education

Elago was born on October 18, 1989, in

stuttered and found it difficult to speak to others.[3]
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.[4]

During her college days, she was a member of The UP Repertory Company (UP Rep), UP Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (lit.'UP Filipino Contemporary Gamelan'), a theater arts performing group, and a student councilor for two years.[4] 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.

Political career

House of Representatives

In 2016, Elago became a

ACT Teachers, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis, and Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women's Party
.

She was reelected in 2019 for the 18th Congress, once again representing Kabataan Party-list. Joining her in the Makabayan Bloc were fellow incumbents Zarate, Castro, and Brosas, along with Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat from Bayan Muna, for a total of six seats. She is a former member of the minority for 12 House committees, including Youth and Sports Development, Women and Gender Equality, and Higher and Technical Education.[6] Elago has currently authored 257 house measures and co-authored 8.

She has already authored 426 bills during her stint in the 18th Congress.[5]

Besides being the youngest lawmaker, she is also the poorest lawmaker with a net worth of

Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).[7][8] She was also the poorest in 2017 with a net worth of
75,800.

Elago supported the

franchise renewal for broadcast network ABS-CBN.[9][10] She was also among the representatives that opposed House Bill No. 78 allowing for 100 percent foreign ownership in power, transport, and communications sectors in the Philippines.[11]

Advocacies

Running for Kabataan Partylist, she does not only advocate for the advancement of youth agenda but also free education, free internet for all, and gender equality.[2] She has also shown support to breast cancer warriors and survivors by donating her hair.[12]

Elago is also the founding president of the Philippine Stuttering Association, an advocacy group that supports people who

stutter.[3]

During the May 2019 School Strike for Climate, Elago joined youth protesters calling for a rejection of government proposals that could have detrimental effects on the environment.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Cupin, Bea (23 March 2018). "Sarah Elago on why being young and being a dissenter matters". Rappler. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  2. ^ a b Beltran, Michael (30 April 2019). "Sarah Elago, the Youngest Lawmaker in the Philippines, Challenges Duterte's Boys Club". The News Lens International Edition. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Woman shares how she cured own stuttering". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b Victoria, Lhealyn (2016-05-26). "Sarah Elago | 'The youth must be leaders of today'". Bulatlat. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  5. ^ a b "Sarah Elago of Kabataan Partylist tells us why being woke is not enough". Scout Magazine. 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  6. ^ "COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP - Hon. Elago, Sarah Jane I." House of Representatives. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Kabataan Rep. Elago, pinakamahirap na kongresista | Abante TNT Breaking News". Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  8. ^ "Kabataan party-list rep still House's poorest lawmaker". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  9. ^ Maru, Davinci (2021-07-09). "Brave 11: Solons who voted for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  10. ^ Hitosis, Jet (2021-07-10). "ABS-CBN franchise renewal timeline; how much income did ABS-CBN lose in 2020?". PEP. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  11. ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (2020-02-20). "'PH for sale': Solons hit move to allow foreign ownership of public utilities". Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
  12. ^ "Sarah Elago nagpaikli ng buhok para sa nanay, kanser | Abante TNT Breaking News". Retrieved 2020-03-08.
  13. ^ "In photos: Filipino youth rally for climate justice". Rappler. 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2021-12-18.

External links