By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Akbayan Party celebrated on Monday (Jan. 27) its 27th Anniversary with the theme, “Mag-Akbayan Na! Mahalin ang Kapwa at Bansa” at The Garden, La Piazza Events Place here.
The celebration coincided with the controversial social and political issues.
Justine Balane is the Akbayan Partylist Fourth Nominee.
It signaled Akbayan’s accepting the challenge of a progressive action.
The participants urged Filipinos to renew their love for their fellow citizens and country as the nation faces challenges brought about by the Marcos-Duterte dynastic duopoly engaged in a power struggle, leaving the people caught in between.
Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña urged the public to demonstrate love for the nation by rejecting the politics of self-interest and advancing a progressive agenda.
Where were you in 1997? Tao na po ba kayo noong 1997?
Rep. Cendana extended his warmest greetings to the Akbayan members and supporters nationwide.
He hails from the province of Nueva Ecija.
Despite the difficulties and challenges, he said, “we are able to gather today and renew a true progressive alternative”
“Our vision is to secure a progressive alternative in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections,” he said.
He cited the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and the prosecution of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the alleged human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings committed during the war on drugs.
Akbayan Partylist Third Nominee Dadah Kiram Ismulah introduced Akbayan Partylist First Nominee Atty. Chel Diokno.
Akbayan Partylist First Nominee Atty. Chel Diokno underscored the twin battles against corruption and disinformation.
Atty. Diokno lambasted the proliferation of falsehoods targeting progressive legislative measures such as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill,
which was maligned despite its noble intent to protect the Filipino youth.
Diokno recalled that he was not yet a member of Akbayan on Aug. 21, 2024 when he was invited to become a member of Akbayan.
“Ibang magmahal ang Akbayan,” he said.
He cited that the May 2025 is so crucial for the lives of the Filipinos.
He asked the Filipinos to be active in the next 104 days in order to push for the election of the three nominees of Akbayan
“Kung Mahal mo, Akbayan mo!” is the slogan of Akbayan for the next 104 days,”
Diokno said.
Journalist and Ateneo de Manila University Lecturer John Nery said that
he argued then was that the defining moment to act and become an alternative.
Master the art of public governance.
Nery cited the melodramatic SAF 44 over an FM radio station.
He noted the alleged false narratives or disinformation of the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
Nery scored a breaking news aired over an FM station which was only a press release.
Public governance is a tough work.
“We do not fault the public for its daily needs,” he said.
While we seek not to administer the poison, we also need to kill the poison,” he added. 1Sambayan Co-Convenor Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice (Ret.) Antonio Carpio said “We have supported Akbayan in the past elections and we will support Akbayan in the May 2025 elections, because we share the same vision for the nation.” Justice Carpio is known for his gallant stand for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. Amy Santos, whose father got ill in 2018, cited the good deeds of Akbayan during the Covid-19 pandemic. It can be recalled that the Philippines was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic from March 15, 2020 until December 2022. Santos pledged P20,000 in support of Akbayan. Fred Gumba pledged P5,000. P15,000 was pledged by Pinky and a friend . P20,000 was pledged by Dr. RJ of the Management Support Group . P2,000 was pledged by Malou and a friend. A fan of Akbayan, pledged P20,000 from the Center of Youth Advocacy. P2,000 contributed by a retired employee from an organization affiliated with Akbayan. P10,000 from Heritage Network and P5,000 from Pampanga organization for a total P91,000 and counting. P50,000 from Zamboanga youth. P5,000 from a couple and P10, 000 from the Division of San Jose City, Bulacan. P10,000 from Mela Reyes. P5, 000 from the Student Youth Council. Bayang Barrios, a “Katutubong Diva”, rendered a cultural presentation. Francis “Kiko” Aquino Dee, from Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation and complainant to the first impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, said that they filed the impeachment complaint on Dec. 2, 2024 and more than a month passed, no action has been taken yet by the House of Representatives. Instead, Dee said, the 19th Congress passed the “most corrupt budget in the country’s history..
He cited Rep. Perci Cendana, who is only on his first term in Congress, but seems to have accomplished legislative works for nine years already.
It can also be recalled that President Ferdinand” Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law the 2025 P6.326-Trillion General Appropriations Act on Dec. 30, 2024, but vetoed the amount of P189 billion in unprogrammed appropriations.
Rafaela “Paeng” David, President of Akbayan, closed the program expressing her gratitude to Justice Carpio and all the members and supporters of Akbayan.
In 2022, Akbayan si Leni (Robredo). Akbayan si Risa Hontiveros.
Aakbayan din natin sina Atty. Chel Diokno at Rep. Perci Cendana.
More than a 100 members of Akbayan will run for the local government post in the May 2025 elections.
A portion of the pledged money may be used to finance their political campaign.
*Akbayan’s story is a love story, because we love the country and we love each other,” David said.
” Love requires truth. Love is built on trust. Love is built on truth,” she said.
“Ang nagsasama nang tapat, nagsasama nang maluwat. Love demands justice,” she added.