Akbayan

Citizens' Action Party
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 Democratic socialism
Social democracy
Political position Centre-left to left-wing
International affiliation

Progressive Alliance

Socialist International
Colors red, green, purple
Slogan Sa Akbayan, Panalo ang Mamamayan! (With Akbayan, the People Win!)
Seats in the Senate
0 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
2 / 297
Provincial governorships
0 / 81
Provincial vice governorships
0 / 81
Provincial board members
0 / 772
Local councils
0 / 13,354
Website
www.akbayan.org.ph

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

History

After twenty years of dictatorship under the Marcos regime, formal democracy in the Philippines was restored in 1986 through a broad "people power" movement. This democracy, however, proved to favor only the political and economic elite of the country. The moving force behind the anti-dictatorship struggle – concerned citizens and progressive groups – has been relegated to the periphery of decision-making and policy implementation. In response, social movements, trade union groups, and political organizations have emerged to challenge state policies through lobbying and pressure politics.

Despite the dynamism of Philippine movements, formal institutions of democracy remained in the hands of the few and the wealthy. It was within this context that the idea of building an alternative, a citizens' political party, first emerged. Social movement groups wanted to be part of the formal processes of government. Akbayan was thus conceived as an effort to institutionalize people power and thereby deepen Philippine democracy.

Consultations on the party-building project began in 1994. Throughout the country, pro-democracy groups were enjoined to help shape the party concept and strategy. Aspirations of various sectors – labor, peasants, youth, women, gays and lesbians, professionals, overseas Filipino workers, urban poor – were discussed and consolidated into a program of governance, while ad hoc structures were formed in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Four years later, in January 1998, Akbayan was formally established through its Founding National Congress. In May of the same year, the new party tested its strength by participating in the local and party-list elections and won seats in the House of Representatives, and several local government units.

Akbayan claims to pose the most persistent effort from the Philippine progressive community to break the hold of traditional politicians and political parties on Philippine politics.[1]

Opposition to right-wing extremism and extremism from the Communist Party of the Philippines

Akbayan is also noted to be a leading member of the Democratic Left community in the Philippines [2] (leftist groups who are not affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines). 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]

Repression during the Arroyo administration

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.

Pioneer in the Left to oppose Chinese expansionism and defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea

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]

Campaigns

Agrarian Reform

Akbayan members calling for the passage of the CARPER Law

Reproductive Health

Creative action for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2012

Organizational structure

Akbayan's organizational structure is guided by the principle of internal democracy.

The basic unit is the chapter, organized at the barangay, workplace or school level with a minimum of twelve members. A minimum of six chapters constitute a section, which is organized at the municipal, city or sitio level. A minimum of three sections form a division, which is organized at the provincial, highly urbanized city or legislative district level. A minimum of three divisions comprise an Assembly, which is organized at the regional level.

The National Congress is the highest governing and policy-making body and convenes every three years. Delegates to the National Congress are elected from the Party's divisions and also include delegates representing the different sectors of the party, namely, women, youth, workers in the private sector, workers in the public sector, peasant, LGBT, fisherfolk, overseas Filipinos, transport workers, and urban poor. The National Congress of the party decides the Party's platform and general program of action until the next National Congress. The Party's officials and Party-list nominees are also elected by the National Congress.

The National Council is the second-highest governing body, consisting of delegates elected by the Party's island groupings: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. The National Council also includes members of the Party's Executive Committee and representatives from the different sectors.

The Executive Committee is tasked with implementing Congress and Council decisions. National Committees to assist the Executive Committee are: Finance, Education, Legislative, International, Public Information, Women, Policies and Issues. A National Secretariat manages day-to-day affairs. The Executive Committee is composed of the Party's National Chairperson, President, Secretary General, Party-list nominees and other Executive Committee members.

Akbayan has a unique policy of ensuring that 30% of all leadership positions at every level of the Party are reserved for women.

Legislative record

Laws Passed

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

Senate elections

Election Candidate Votes Rank Result
2010 Risa Hontiveros 9,106,112 13th Lost
2013 Risa Hontiveros 10,840,047 17th Lost
2016 Risa Hontiveros TBD TBD TBD

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–present
Walden Bello1
Angelina Ludovice-Katoh2
Barry Gutierrez
  
^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. ↑ A Brief History, About Us
  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.

External links

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