Kate Galang-Coseteng knows what it means to stand her ground in rooms often dominated by louder voices. As one of the youngest elected councilors in Quezon City and now a third-term official, she has spent nearly a decade doing what many only talk about: putting people first, especially women.
From authoring ordinances that matter — like the creation of the Quezon City University and the city’s first public dialysis center — to speaking up for solo parents and persons with disabilities, Coseteng has built her public service career on action, not promises.
And now, she's taking that fight to a national stage, alongside the Kababaihan Party-list — not to run another race, but to widen the space for Filipino women to rise.
“Before I write anything into policy, I talk to people on the ground,” Coseteng said in a recent statement. “The best solutions come from those who live the struggle every day.”
A Party-List Rooted in Real Lives
The Kababaihan Party-list isn’t just another name on the ballot. It’s a growing movement shaped by the real needs of working women. Their programs are rooted in the most basic question many mothers, workers, and caregivers ask: Sino ang kakampi namin?
Their answer is clear.
At the core is the Tahanan ng Kababaihan, a night care center designed for mothers who work the graveyard shift — call center agents, nurses, bar staff, and security guards — women who power the city while the rest of it sleeps. The center offers a safe space for their children, easing the fear of leaving them alone or with strangers.
“We want women to work with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe,” Coseteng explained.
Beyond care, there’s support for recovery. Kanlungan para sa Biktima ng Pang-aabuso, a sanctuary for women who’ve suffered violence, offers legal and psychological counseling — a lifeline for those breaking free from cycles of abuse.
And for women looking to take control of their financial lives, Kababaihan is pushing for a Microfinance Law for Women, with targeted funding for small businesses. From baking to tailoring to tech, these aren’t just hobbies — they’re potential incomes. The goal is financial independence, and more importantly, dignity.
Not Afraid of the Hard Conversations
True to its name, the Kababaihan Party-list stands firm on issues that often get buried in public discourse — online sex trafficking, divorce, and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos.
Coseteng has voiced support for legislation that holds tech companies accountable for enabling online human trafficking, referencing similar laws in the UK where platforms can be penalized for hosting illicit content.
“The Philippines ranks high in online sex trafficking,” she said. “We need to act decisively — tech companies must be part of the solution, not the problem.”
The party-list also backs a revised Divorce Bill — not to make marriage disposable, but to give an escape route to those trapped in abusive or irreparable relationships. It’s about giving women, and their children, a second chance at peace.
On LGBTQIA+ rights, Kababaihan echoes what many already know: inclusion isn’t optional. Their programs promote safe spaces, fight discrimination, and encourage policy change so everyone — regardless of gender identity — is treated equally.
A Legacy of Service, A Future Built Together
While her last name carries weight — she is the daughter-in-law of former Senator Nikki Coseteng — Kate Galang-Coseteng has carved her own path. A graduate of Cornell University and Siena College in Quezon City, she merges global perspective with local commitment.
Backed by a platform built on listening and learning, Coseteng and the Kababaihan Party-list represent more than political ambition. They represent the women you meet in jeepneys, in hospitals, in offices and sari-sari stores — women raising families, chasing dreams, and building communities.
And in a country where “babae lang yan” is still heard too often, Kababaihan’s work insists on a different truth: that Filipino women are not just resilient — they are ready to lead.
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