Akbayan

Akbayan
President Machris Cabreros
Chairman Risa Hontiveros
Secretary-General Kit Melgar
Founded January 1998
Headquarters 36-B Madasalin, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City
Youth wing Akbayan Youth
Membership 100,000
Ideology Participatory politics
Democratic socialism[1]
Liberal democracy[1]
Political position Centre-left to left-wing[1]
National affiliation Liberal Party
International affiliation Progressive Alliance
Colors                Red, Green, and Purple
Slogan Sa Akbayan, Panalo ang Mamamayan! (With Akbayan, the People Win!)
Seats in the Senate
1 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
2 / 297
Website
www.akbayan.org.ph

The Akbayan Citizens' Action Party is a democratic socialist political party in the Philippines. Its primary ideology is participatory democracy and participatory socialism.

History

Akbayan is also noted to be a leading member of the Democratic Left community in the Philippines.[2][1] (leftist groups who are not affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines).[1] It has been critical of abuses committed by some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against fellow activists.[3] It has also been critical of the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front – New People's Army's (CPP-NDF-NPA) atrocities in the countryside especially against peasant groups and communities against the Maoist group's extortion activities. Due to its stance against Rightwing extremism (from some elements of the AFP) and from the Extreme Left) (CPP-NPA-NDF), Akbayan has been a target by both political groups.[4]

During the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Akbayan was among the opposition groups which was severely repressed by the government. It was also during this time that because of government intimidation that Akbayan suffered its lowest number of votes in 2007 with just well over 400,000 votes.

Akbayan members protesting granting of bail for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for plunder charges

In 2009, Akbayan supported the presidential candidacy of then Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Fueled by the popular discontent with the outgoing administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino won the presidency by a huge margin. This was also the first time that Akbayan was able to breach the 1 million vote mark, its best performance so far. The votes it garnered was 200,000 votes more than the last time it secured three seats in the House of Representatives. However, it failed to secure three seats owing to a Supreme Court decision which ensured that only the leading partylist (Ako Bicol at that time) in the election would secure three seats.

Akbayan mobilization in front of Chinese Consular Office protesting the Chinese's incursions into the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone

Akbayan has been noted to oppose the increased incursions of the People's Republic of China (PRC) naval and coast guard vessels into Philippine territorial waters and within the country's 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).[5][6]

This increased opposition to Chinese occupation has even earned the criticism from the Communist Party of the Philippines' (CPP) top leader, Jose Maria Sison.[7] The CPP is largely seen by many experts as supportive of the communist government of China.[8]

Legislative record

Akbayan members calling for the passage of the CARPER Law
Creative action for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2012

Electoral performance

Akbayan is only one of two parties (the other is Butil) to win seats in all party list elections in the Philippines. Furthermore, Akbayan is the only party to surpass the 2% election threshold in all elections.

House of Representatives party-list elections

Election Votes % Seats
1998 232,376 2.54% 1
2001 377,852 2.50% 1
2004 852,473 6.70% 3
2007 466,112 2.92% 2
2010 1,058,691 3.50% 2
2013 827,405 3.02% 2
2016 608,449 TBD 1

Representatives to Congress

Period 1st Representative 2nd Representative 3rd Representative
11th Congress
1998–2001
Loretta Ann P. Rosales
    
12th Congress
2001–2004
Mayong Aguja
13th Congress
2004–2007
Risa Hontiveros
14th Congress
2007–2010
Risa Hontiveros
Walden Bello
  
15th Congress
2010–2013
Walden Bello
Kaka Bag-ao
16th Congress
2013–2016
Walden Bello1
Angelina Ludovice-Katoh2
Barry Gutierrez
  
17th Congress
2016–2019
Tomasito Villarin
  
^1 Resigned last March 16, 2015.[19]
^2 Replaced resigned representative Walden Bello, sworn May 13, 2015.[20]

Candidates for 2013 elections

Candidates for 2016 elections

^1 also the spokesperson of Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid
^2 ran under the Liberal Party (LP)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Southeast Asia In The New International Era". 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Llamas hits Reds' tag on 'democratic left'". philstar.com. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Akbayan feels Esperon praise a left-handed compliment". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Akbayan chides Bayan Muna & affiliates for falling into the AFP's 'divide & rule' strategy : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  5. ↑ "Philippine Party says China violated its seas : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  6. ↑ Rodel Rodis. "Are Filipinos united against China’s invasion of Ayungin?". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. ↑ "ON PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY, US & CHINA". Jose Maria Sison. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "China's Quest". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  9. ↑ "R.A. 9189". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  10. ↑ "R.A. 9481". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "R.A. 9502". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  12. ↑ "R.A. 9700". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  13. ↑ "Republic Act No. 10354". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  14. ↑ http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2012/ra_10351_2012.html
  15. ↑ "Republic Act No. 10368". Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  16. ↑ No more 'business as usual' as Competition bill nears enactment – Akbayan Party List
  17. ↑ http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_10028_2010.html
  18. ↑ http://www.gov.ph/2014/07/15/republic-act-no-10643/
  19. ↑ "Bello resigns as Akbayan representative, calls Aquino disgraceful". Inquirer News. 2015-03-11. Retrieved 2015-04-08.
  20. ↑ "Akbayan names Bello's replacement in Congress". Rappler.com. 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
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