Eli San Fernando
Filipino labor leader and politician (born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elijah Rumbaoa San Fernando (born August 13, 1996) is a Filipino labor leader, politician and Internet personality currently serving as the first nominee of the Kamanggagawa party-list since 2025.[1] He previously served as the secretary-general of Alternatiba from 2022 to 2024 and was actively involved in student leadership as a council official at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
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August 13, 1996
Eli San Fernando | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the Kamanggagawa Partylist | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2025 | |
| President of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Student Council | |
| In office 2017–2018 | |
| Preceded by | Jonald Bagasina |
| Succeeded by | Ralyn Rodriguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elijah Rumbaoa San Fernando August 13, 1996 Quezon City, Philippines |
| Party | Kamanggagawa (2024–present) |
Other political affiliations | Alternatiba (2022–2024) |
| Alma mater | Polytechnic University of the Philippines (BS) |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Student and labor activism |
Early life and education
Elijah Rumbaoa San Fernando was born in Quezon City to a family dedicated to public service—his mother was a public school teacher, while his father served as a Protestant pastor. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2018. During his time at PUP, he became actively involved in student politics, advocating for student rights and progressive policies.
Early career
San Fernando began his career at the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, serving as a Community Relations Officer from 2018 to 2020. He later took on a consulting role from 2020 to 2022, where he developed the organization's social media strategy.
Political involvement
Student politics
San Fernando was active in student politics during his time at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
He was elected as vice president of the Sta. Mesa campus student council in 2016 under the banner of the newly established PUP SPEAK, then eventually acceded to the presidency in 2017. In September of the same year, San Fernando was elected by 25 of 35 members of the university system-wide student council federation as its president, making him the student sector representative to the university's highest decision-making body, the Board of Regents, and replacing SAMASA-leaning Karl Paulie Anareta, which garnered criticisms of "blessing of the administration [of both PUP and President Rodrigo Duterte]" from the students.[2][3]
Party-list activism
San Fernando played a key role in Alternatiba's advocacy efforts, including leading the organization's graft complaint against a Department of Agriculture official in 2023.[4] He won as the first nominee of the Kamanggagawa party-list for the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections.[5]
Legal matters
In 2024, San Fernando faced cyber libel charges in connection with a social media post.[6]
Personal life
San Fernando resides in Antipolo, Rizal, and remains actively involved in labor union organizing.
Electoral history
| Year | Office | Party | Votes received | Result | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Swing | |||||
| 2025 | Representative (Party-list) | Kamanggagawa | 382,657 | 0.91% | 29th | N/a | Won | |
