The Akbayan Citizens' Action Party, better known as Akbayan (lit.'the escorting of each other' or 'the support for one another' or 'the collective putting of an arm over the shoulders of another'), is a democratic socialist and progressive[4] political party in the Philippines. Akbayan is noted as a leading member of the progressive movement in the Philippines,[5][1] having been formed in 1998 by a variety of progressive political organizations.

Akbayan Citizens' Action Party
PresidentRafaela David
ChairpersonMylene Hega
Secretary-GeneralJordan Gutierrez
FoundedJanuary 1998
Headquarters52 Masikap Street, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City
Youth wingAkbayan Youth
Women's wingAkbayan Women
Membership100,000
IdeologyProgressivism
Social democracy[1]
Democratic socialism[2][1]
Participatory politics
Political positionCentre-left[1]
National affiliationTRoPa (2022)
Otso Diretso (2019)
Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid (2016)
Team PNoy (2013)
Regional affiliationNetwork of Social Democracy in Asia[3]
International affiliationProgressive Alliance
Colors  Red   Green   Purple
SloganSa Akbayan, Panalo ang Mamamayan! ("With Akbayan, the People Win!")
Seats in the Senate
1 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
1 / 316
Website
akbayan.org.ph

There are approximately 100 thousand members of Akbayan, with a pool of voter interest ranging anywhere between 150 thousand to 1 million people (at most 2.5% of Philippine active voters).

History

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Akbayan was formally founded in 1998 by different civil society organizations and various left-leaning organizations from the country's social democratic, democratic socialist, and Marxist traditions with the intent of capturing state power through parliamentary struggle.

Akbayan has been critical of abuses committed by some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against fellow activists.[6] It has also been critical of the Communist Party of the Philippines, particularly its actions in the countryside against peasant groups and communities and what these groups and communities see as the Maoist group's extortion activities. Due to its stance against right-wing extremism (from some elements of the AFP) and the Maoist far-left (CPP–NPA–NDF), Akbayan has been a target of both political groups.[7]

 
Akbayan members protesting the granting of bail to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was then facing plunder charges

During the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Akbayan was among the opposition groups repressed by the government. It was also during this time that Akbayan suffered its lowest number of votes, with just over 400,000 votes in 2007. In 2009, Akbayan supported the presidential candidacy of then Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Fueled by the popular discontent with the outgoing administration of Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino won the presidency by a large margin. This was also the first time that Akbayan was able to breach the 1 million vote mark, its best performance to that date. Despite the vote increase, however, it failed to secure three seats in the House of Representatives owing to a Supreme Court decision which ensured only the leading party list (Ako Bicol at that time) in the election would secure three seats.

 
Akbayan mobilization in front of the Chinese Consular Office to protest China'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).[8][9] In 2016, the party allied itself with the Liberal Party and the Magdalo Group, supporting Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo's campaigns and criticizing other candidates. After the election, it joined the Magnificent 7, a group of Liberal Party and Magdalo members. The party publicly criticized several policies of the Duterte government, including Duterte's handling of the Philippine Drug War and the TRAIN Law.

Akbayan has affiliate groups that represent government employees, women workers, migrants, as well as members of the LGBT community. The party's official website states that Akbayan is an activist organisation "and proud of it", and that it "vehemently condemn(s) torture, assassination, and other violent acts that undermine human rights and freedoms regardless of whoever commits them".[10]

Ideology

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The party includes both democratic socialists[2] and social democrats[4] as members. While Akbayan's political-economic platform rests on the democratic-socialist foundation which PDP–Laban ostensibly shares,[11] the former differs greatly from the latter with regard to civil rights and law enforcement.

Legislative record

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Akbayan members calling for the passage of the CARPER Law
 
Creative demonstration of support for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2012
  • Republic Act 9189 – The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003[12]
  • Republic Act 9481 – Right to Labor Self-Organization Law[13]
  • Republic Act 9502 – Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law[14]
  • Republic Act 9700 – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law[15]
  • Republic Act 10354 – Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law[16]
  • Republic Act 10351 – Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco or The Sin Tax Law[17]
  • Republic Act 10368 – Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013[18]
  • Republic Act 10667 – Philippine Competition Act[19]
  • Republic Act 10028 – Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Law[20]
  • Republic Act 10742 – Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law
  • Republic Act 10643 – Graphic Health Warning Law[21]
  • Republic Act 10932 – Anti-Hospital Deposit Act[22]
  • Republic Act 11036 – Mental Health Act[23]
  • Republic Act 11166 – HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018[24]

Electoral performance

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Presidential and vice presidential

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Year Presidential election Vice presidential election
Candidate Votes Vote share Result Candidate Votes Vote share Result
2010 None[a] Benigno Aquino III
(Liberal)
None[b] Jejomar Binay
(PDP–Laban)
2016 None[25][c] Rodrigo Duterte
(PDP–Laban)
None[d] Leni Robredo
(Liberal)
2022 None[26][e] Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
(PFP)
None[f] Sara Z. Duterte
(Lakas–CMD)

Legislative elections

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Senate

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In 2010, one of their representatives Risa Hontiveros ran for Senate as a member of Liberal Party, but Akbayan supported her.[27][28] She only started to run as Akbayan in 2013, and on subsequent elections.[29][30]

House of Representatives elections in districts

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In 2013, Kaka Bag-ao ran for the Dinagat Islands seat under the Akbayan label and won; she ran under the Liberal Party label in subsequent elections.

Results

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Congress of the Philippines
House of Representatives (Districts) Senate
Year Votes Vote share Seats won Result Year Votes Vote share Seats won Ticket Result
1998 Did not participate Lakas plurality 1998 Did not participate LAMMP win 7/12 seats
2001 Did not participate Lakas plurality 2001 Did not participate People Power Coalition win 8/13 seats
2004 Did not participate Lakas plurality 2004 Did not participate K4 win 7/12 seats
2007 Did not participate Lakas plurality 2007 Did not participate Genuine Opposition win 8/12 seats
2010 Did not participate Lakas plurality 2010 Only supported a candidate[g] Liberal Party win 4/12 seats
2013 34,239 0.12%
1 / 293
Liberal Party plurality 2013 10,944,843 3.68%
0 / 12
Team PNoy Team PNoy win 9/12 seats
2016 Did not participate Liberal Party plurality 2016 15,915,213 4.97%
1 / 12
Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid win 7/12 seats
2019 Did not participate PDP–Laban plurality 2019 Did not participate Otso Diretso Hugpong ng Pagbabago win 9/12 seats
2022 Did not participate PDP–Laban plurality 2022 15,470,005 3.56%
1 / 12
TroPa UniTeam win 6/12 seats

Party-list elections

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Akbayan is only one of two parties (the other is Butil) to win seats in all party-list elections in the Philippines until 2019. Furthermore, Akbayan is the only party to surpass the 2% election threshold in all elections until the 2016 election where they fell short by 0.12%.

In September 2024, the COMELEC proclaimed it as a winner after the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the COMELEC Resolution which revoked the party-list's registration of An Waray.[31][32]

Election Votes % Party-list seats
1998 232,376 2.54%
1 / 51
2001 377,852 2.50%
1 / 51
2004 852,473 6.70%
3 / 52
2007 466,112 2.92%
2 / 53
2010 1,058,691 3.50%
2 / 57
2013 827,405 3.02%
2 / 58
2016 608,449 1.88%
1 / 59
2019 171,713 0.62%
0 / 61
2022 236,226 0.64%
1 / 63

Representatives to Congress

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Period 1st Representative 2nd Representative 3rd Representative
11th Congress
1998–2001
Etta Rosales
12th Congress
2001–2004
Etta Rosales Mario Aguja
13th Congress
2004–2007
Etta Rosales Mario Aguja Risa Hontiveros
14th Congress
2007–2010
Risa Hontiveros Walden Bello
15th Congress
2010–2013
Walden Bello Kaka Bag-ao
16th Congress
2013–2016
Walden Bello
(2013–2015[n 1])
Barry Gutierrez
Angelina Ludovice-Katoh
(2015–2016[n 2])
17th Congress
2016–2019
Tomasito Villarin
18th Congress
2019–2022
Out of Congress
19th Congress
2022–2025
Perci Cendaña
(2024–[n 3])

Notes

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  1. ^ Resigned on 16 March 2015.
  2. ^ Replaced resigned representative Walden Bello and sworn in on 13 May 2015.
  3. ^ Proclaimed and assumed office on 25 September 2024.

[33][34]

Candidates for 2013 elections

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Candidates for 2016 elections

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  • Risa Hontiveros – Senator
  • Tomasito Villarin – 1st nominee, party-list
  • Barry Gutierrez III – 2nd nominee, party-list[n 1]
  • Angelina Katoh – 3rd nominee, party-list
  • Rafaela Mae David – 4th nominee, party-list
  • Doris Obena – 5th nominee, party-list
  • Mylene Hega – 6th nominee, party-list
  • Cenon Nolasco – 7th nominee, party-list
  • Pat Ibay – Councilor (District 1, Pasay)
  • Ileana Ibay – Councilor (District 2, Pasay)
  • Alvin Dizon – Councilor (District 1, Cebu City)[n 2]
  • Sergio Bañes Jr. – Councilor (Estancia, Iloilo)
  • Egar Chu – Councilor (Estancia, Iloilo)

Candidates for 2019 elections

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  • Tomasito Villarin – 1st nominee, party-list
  • Gio Tingson – 2nd nominee, party-list
  • Doris Dinorog-Obena – 3rd nominee, party-list
  • Angelina Katoh – 4th nominee, party-list
  • Napoleon Merida – 5th nominee, party-list
  • Cristina Oganiza – 6th nominee, party-list

Candidates for 2022 elections

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  • Risa Hontiveros – Senator
  • Percival Cendaña – 1st nominee, party-list
  • Dr. Raymond John Naguit – 2nd nominee, party-list
  • Cristina Oganiza – 3rd nominee, party-list
  • Angelina Katoh – 4th nominee, party-list
  • JC Tejano – 5th nominee, party-list
  • Victoria de Jesus – 6th nominee, party-list

Local Candidates

Candidates for 2025 elections

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  • Chel Diokno – 1st nominee, party-list
  • Percival Cendaña – 2nd nominee, party-list
  • Dadah Karim–Ismula – 3rd nominee, party-list
  • Justine Balane – 4th nominee, party-list
  • Mercy Abucayon – 5th nominee, party-list
  • Magdalena Robinson – 6th nominee, party-list
  • JC Tejano – 7th nominee, party-list
  • Ernesto Neri – 8th nominee, party-list
  • Yoyong Merida – 9th nominee, party-list
  • Angelina Katoh – 10th nominee, party-list

Current party officials

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Notes

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  1. ^ Supported Benigno Aquino III of Liberal
  2. ^ Supported Mar Roxas of Liberal
  3. ^ Endorsed Mar Roxas of Liberal
  4. ^ Endorsed Leni Robredo of Liberal
  5. ^ Endorsed Leni Robredo who is an Independent
  6. ^ Endorsed Francis Pangilinan of Liberal
  7. ^ Risa Hontiveros, despite being an Akbayan member, was registered as Liberal Party in the ballot
  1. ^ Also the spokesperson of Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid.
  2. ^ Ran under the Liberal Party.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Dayley, Robert (2016). Southeast Asia In The New International Era. Avalon. ISBN 9780813350110. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Artemio, Guillermo (2012). Historical Dictionary of the Philippines. Scarecrow Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-8108-7246-2.
  3. ^ "About".
  4. ^ a b "About Akbayan - Akbayan Party List". akbayan.org.ph. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  5. ^ "Llamas hits Reds' tag on 'democratic left'". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  6. ^ "Akbayan feels Esperon praise a left-handed compliment". Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  7. ^ "Akbayan chides Bayan Muna & affiliates for falling into the AFP's 'divide & rule' strategy : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  8. ^ "Philippine Party says China violated its seas : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  9. ^ Rodel Rodis. "Are Filipinos united against China's invasion of Ayungin?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "RRT Research Response" (PDF). Refugee Review Tribunal. Research Response Number PHL 31913. June 2, 2007.
  11. ^ Bello y Flores, Walden (May 21, 2021). "Walden Bello on Rodrigo Duterte and Fascism". Rappler.
  12. ^ "R.A. 9189". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ^ "R.A. 9481". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ^ "R.A. 9502". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  15. ^ "R.A. 9700". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  16. ^ "Republic Act No. 10354". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. December 21, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  17. ^ "Republic Act No. 10351".
  18. ^ "Republic Act No. 10368". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  19. ^ "No more 'business as usual' as Competition bill nears enactment – Akbayan Party List". Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  20. ^ "R.A. No. 10028".
  21. ^ "gov.ph". Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "Senate approves stiffer penalties vs hospitals demanding deposits". May 15, 2017.
  23. ^ "Duterte signs Philippine Mental Health law". June 21, 2018.
  24. ^ "WHO Philippines lauds passage of new law on HIV, AIDS". The Philippine STAR.
  25. ^ Press release akbayan.org
  26. ^ "Leni at Akbayan: Kakampink sa Laban | Kailangan ni Leni Robredo ng partylist na subok at maaasahan. Si Leni Robredo at Akbayan: matagal nang kakampink sa laban. Ipanalo: #146Akbayan... | By Akbayan Party | Facebook". Retrieved February 16, 2024 – via www.facebook.com.
  27. ^ Villanueva, Marichu A. (May 24, 2010). "13th Senator". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  28. ^ Jimenez, Atty Josephus (July 20, 2024). "Risa Hontiveros: The best senator of the country". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Risa Hontiveros regretful for not entering theater scene". Philstar.com. May 18, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  30. ^ Legaspi, Amita (May 17, 2012). "PNoy reveals 4 sure LP senatorial bets for 2013". GMA News. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  31. ^ Chi, Cristina (September 18, 2024). "Akbayan seeks House seat that An Waray vacated". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  32. ^ De Leon, Dwight (September 25, 2024). "Akbayan back in the House after Comelec formalizes 2022 election win". Rappler. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Bello resigns as Akbayan representative, calls Aquino disgraceful". Inquirer News. March 11, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  34. ^ "Akbayan names Bello's replacement in Congress". Rappler. May 13, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
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