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Akbayan

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Not to be confused with Makabayan or Anakbayan.

Akbayan Citizens' Action Party
PresidentRafaela David
ChairpersonMylene Hega
Secretary-GeneralJordan Gutierrez
FoundedJanuary 1998
Preceded byKaakbay ng Sambayanan
Headquarters52 Masikap Street, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City
Youth wingAkbayan Youth
Women's wingAkbayan Women
Membership200,000
IdeologyProgressivism
Social democracy[1][2]
Democratic socialism[3][1]
Participatory politics
Political positionCentre-left[1]
National affiliationKiBam (2025)
TRoPa (2022)
Otso Diretso (2019)
Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid (2016)
Team PNoy (2013)
LP (2010)
Regional affiliationNetwork of Social Democracy in Asia[4]
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
3 / 63
(Party-list seats)
Provincial Governors
0 / 82
Provincial Vice Governors
0 / 82
Provincial board members
2 / 1,023
Website
akbayan.org.ph

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 social democratic[2] and progressive political party in the Philippines.[5] Akbayan is noted as a leading member of the progressive movement in the Philippines,[6][1] having been formed in 1998 by a variety of progressive political organizations.

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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Origins and early years

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Akbayan traces its roots to the Kaakbay ng Sambayanan, an alliance founded on February 25, 1992 by various civil society organizations and left-leaning organizations from the country's social democratic, democratic socialist, and Marxist traditions, such as the Bukluran sa Ikauunlad ng Sosyalistang Isip at Gawa (Bisig), Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas (Pandayan), and Movement for Popular Democracy.[7][8] Unlike other left-leaning groups, the organizations, particularly Pandayan, were committed to active nonviolence.[9] The alliance was formed in support of the candidacies of Jovito Salonga from the Liberal Party and Nene Pimentel from PDP–Laban under the Koalisyong Pambansa in the 1992 presidential and vice presidential elections, who eventually lost to Fidel V. Ramos of Lakas–NUCD and Joseph Estrada of NPC respectively.[10][11]

Following the defeat of the Koalisyong Pambansa ticket, Akbayan was reestablished as a political party. Initially revived as Aksyon, the party eventually adopted the name Akbayan Citizens' Action Party.[8][10] The party was officially founded in January 1998 and participated in the 1998 House of Representatives elections through the new party-list system, securing one seat. Aside from the party-list elections, the party also focused on electing candidates in local elections.[11]

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.

Coalition with the Aquino administration

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

In 2009, Akbayan supported the presidential candidacy of then Senator Benigno Aquino III. Fueled by the popular discontent with the outgoing administration of 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 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).[12][13] In 2016, the party allied itself with the Liberal Party to form the Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid, supporting Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo's campaigns for the presidential and vice presidential elections. The party entered the Senate following the win of Risa Hontiveros, who was previously one of its representatives.[14]

Opposition against the Duterte and Marcos administrations

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After the 2016 election, it joined the Magnificent 7, a group of Liberal Party and Magdalo Party-List members.[15][16] The party publicly criticized several policies of the Duterte administration, including Duterte's handling of the Philippine Drug War and the TRAIN Law. In 2019, the party lost representation in the House.[17]

Chel Diokno (left) and Risa Hontiveros (right) during a campaign motorcade in Dagupan, 2025.

In the 2022 election, Akbayan backed the candidacies of Leni Robredo and Francis Pangilinan for president and vice president, respectively, as part of the Team Robredo–Pangilinan (TRoPa) alliance. Although Robredo and Pangilinan were defeated, Hontiveros was re-elected. Akbayan also initially fell one spot short of regaining a seat in the House but later took office after the disqualification of the An Waray party-list.[18] In the 2025 elections, Akbayan nominated lawyer Chel Diokno, who ran for senator in 2022 as part of the TroPa ticket, was chosen as its first nominee for the party-list election. The party also formed the KiBam coalition alongside the Liberal Party and the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino. The coalition was successful, and the party achieved its highest number of votes and the top vote share in the country, garnering about 2.7 million votes and securing three seats in the House.[19]

Ideology

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Further information: Democratic socialism, Social democracy, and Reformism

The party includes both democratic socialists[3] and social democrats[5] as members. While Akbayan's political-economic platform rests on the democratic-socialist foundation which PDP–Laban ostensibly shares,[20] the former differs greatly from the latter with regard to civil rights and law enforcement.

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".[21]

Akbayan has been critical of abuses committed by some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against fellow activists.[22] 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.[23]

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[24]
  • Republic Act 9481 – Right to Labor Self-Organization Law[25]
  • Republic Act 9502 – Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law[26]
  • Republic Act 9700 – Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law[27]
  • Republic Act 10354 – Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law[28]
  • Republic Act 10351 – Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco or The Sin Tax Law[29]
  • Republic Act 10368 – Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013[30]
  • Republic Act 10667 – Philippine Competition Act[31]
  • Republic Act 10028 – Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Law[32]
  • Republic Act 10742 – Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law
  • Republic Act 10643 – Graphic Health Warning Law[33]
  • Republic Act 10932 – Anti-Hospital Deposit Act[34]
  • Republic Act 11036 – Mental Health Act[35]
  • Republic Act 11166 – HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018[36]

Electoral performance

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Presidential elections

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Year Candidate Votes % Result Outcome
2010 None; endorsed Benigno Aquino III (Liberal) — Benigno Aquino III won
2016 None; endorsed Mar Roxas (Liberal) — Rodrigo Duterte (PDP–Laban) won
2022 None; endorsed Leni Robredo (Independent) — Bongbong Marcos (PFP) won

Vice presidential elections

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Year Candidate Votes % Result Outcome
2010 None; endorsed Mar Roxas (Liberal) — Jejomar Binay (PDP–Laban) won
2016 None; endorsed Leni Robredo (Liberal) — Leni Robredo (Liberal) won
2022 None; endorsed Francis Pangilinan (Liberal) — Sara Duterte (Lakas–CMD) won

Legislative elections

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Senate

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In 2010, one of Akbayan's representatives Risa Hontiveros ran for Senate as a member of Liberal Party. Akbayan fully supported her candidacy. Hontiveros lost and placed 13th, one rank near the 12 winning candidates.[37][38] In 2013, Hontiveros again ran for a Senate seat, formally under Akbayan. She lost again, placing 17th.[39][40] In the 2016 Senate elections, Hontiveros ran for the third time, and finally won, placing 9th. Hontiveros became the first person in Philippine history from the social democratic and progressive center-left to win a Senate seat.[41] In the 2022 Senate elections, Senator Hontiveros ran for reelection, winning amid the anti-progressive rhetoric of the administration, and placing 11th.[42]

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. In 2016, she ran for reelection in the Dinagat Islands seat under the Liberal Party label, and won. She was backed by Akbayan as well. In 2025, Bag-ao again ran for the Dinagat Islands seat under the Liberal Party and won. She was backed by Akbayan and continued to be part of the party.[43]

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-Kampi plurality 2010 Only supported a candidate[a] 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
2025 Did not participate Lakas plurality 2025 Did not participate KiBam

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 the party as a winner after the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the COMELEC resolution which revoked the party-list registration of An Waray.[44][45]

Election Votes % Seats Period 1st Representative 2nd Representative 3rd Representative
1998 232,376 2.54%
1 / 51
 11th Congress
1998–2001
 Etta Rosales — —
2001 377,852 2.50%
2 / 51
 12th Congress
2001–2004
 Etta Rosales Mario Aguja —
2004 852,473 6.70%
3 / 52
 13th Congress
2004–2007
 Etta Rosales Mario Aguja Risa Hontiveros
2007 466,112 2.92%
2 / 53
 14th Congress
2007–2010
 Risa Hontiveros Walden Bello —
2010 1,058,691 3.50%
2 / 57
 15th Congress
2010–2013
 Walden Bello Kaka Bag-ao —
2013 827,405 3.02%
2 / 58
 16th Congress
2013–2016
 Walden Bello
(2013–2015[n 1]) 		Barry Gutierrez —
Angelina Ludovice-Katoh
(2015–2016[n 2])
2016 608,449 1.88%
1 / 59
 17th Congress
2016–2019
 Tom Villarin — —
2019 171,713 0.62%
0 / 61
 18th Congress
2019–2022
 Out of Congress
2022 236,226 0.64%
1 / 63
 19th Congress
2022–2025
 Perci Cendaña
(2024–[n 3]) 		— —
2025 2,779,621 6.63%
3 / 63
 20th Congress
2025–2028
(upcoming) 		Chel Diokno Perci Cendaña Dadah Kiram Ismula
Note: A party-list group, can win a maximum of three seats in the House of Representatives.

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.

[46][47]

Candidates for 2013 elections

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Candidates for 2016 elections

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  • Risa Hontiveros – Senator
  • Tom 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

Local candidates

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  • 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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  • Tom 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
  • 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

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Candidates for 2025 elections

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  • Chel Diokno – 1st nominee, party-list
  • Percival Cendaña – 2nd nominee, party-list
  • Dadah Kiram 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

Local candidates

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Current party officials

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Notes

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  1. ^ 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 Flores, Dominique Nicole. "Who the top 6 party-lists represent and what they've done in Congress". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Artemio, Guillermo (2012). Historical Dictionary of the Philippines. Scarecrow Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-8108-7246-2.
  4. ^ "About".
  5. ^ a b "About Akbayan - Akbayan Party List". akbayan.org.ph. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "Llamas hits Reds' tag on 'democratic left'". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  7. ^ Tolosa, Benjamin T.; Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, eds. (2011). Socdem: Filipino social democracy in a time of turmoil and transition, 1965-1995. Pasig City, Metro Manila Quezon City: Distributed by Ateneo de Manila University Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-971-535-033-4. Other organizations on the left like BISIG, the Movement for Popular Democracy (MPD), and some national democrats who wanted to engage in electoral struggle joined this alliance which was named Kaakbay ng Sambayanan (Akbayan)—the precursor of today's party list group Akbayan Citizens' Action Party.
  8. ^ a b Santos, Soliman Jr. (October 10, 2007). "The Philippines Tries the Party-List System (A Progressive Perspective)". Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies. 13 (2).
  9. ^ Tolosa, Benjamin T.; Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, eds. (2011). Socdem: Filipino social democracy in a time of turmoil and transition, 1965-1995. Pasig City, Metro Manila Quezon City: Distributed by Ateneo de Manila University Press. ISBN 978-971-535-033-4. One of the characteristics distinguishing Pandayan from the PDSP and Kasapi, as well as from the NDF, was its commitment to non-violence.
  10. ^ a b Tolosa, Benjamin T., ed. (2011). Socdem: Filipino social democracy in a time of turmoil and transition, 1965-1995. Pasig City, Metro Manila : Quezon City: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung ; Distributed by Ateneo de Manila University Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-971-535-033-4. OCLC 773372348. Akbayan, originally known as Aksyon, had its roots in the coalition supporting the Salonga-Pimentel ticket which involved the "Three Little Pigs."
  11. ^ a b Quimpo, Nathan Gilbert (March 2005). "The left, elections, and the political party system in the Philippines". Critical Asian Studies. 37 (1): 3–28. doi:10.1080/1467271052000305241. ISSN 1467-2715.
  12. ^ "Philippine Party says China violated its seas : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  13. ^ Rodel Rodis. "Are Filipinos united against China's invasion of Ayungin?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ^ Geronimo, Jee (May 19, 2016). "Risa Hontiveros finally wins Senate seat: 'We defied gravity'". RAPPLER. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  15. ^ Nonato, Marlon Ramos, Vince F. (July 26, 2017). "SC rebuffs House 'Magnificent 7'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 15, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Yap, D. J. (June 6, 2017). "House minority, Magnificent 7 renew feud". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  17. ^ Tomacruz, Sofia (May 22, 2019). "Comelec proclaims 51 winning groups in 2019 party-list elections". RAPPLER. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  18. ^ de Leon, Dwight (September 17, 2024). "Akbayan, one rank shy of winning seat in 2022, fights for vacated party-list slot". RAPPLER. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  19. ^ Cabalza, Dexter; cbuban (May 13, 2025). "Akbayan tops party list race; Bayan Muna faces delisting". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Bello y Flores, Walden (May 21, 2021). "Walden Bello on Rodrigo Duterte and Fascism". Rappler.
  21. ^ "RRT Research Response" (PDF). Refugee Review Tribunal. Research Response Number PHL 31913. June 2, 2007.
  22. ^ "Akbayan feels Esperon praise a left-handed compliment". Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  23. ^ "Akbayan chides Bayan Muna & affiliates for falling into the AFP's 'divide & rule' strategy : Indybay". Indybay. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  24. ^ "R.A. 9189". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  25. ^ "R.A. 9481". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  26. ^ "R.A. 9502". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  27. ^ "R.A. 9700". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  28. ^ "Republic Act No. 10354". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. December 21, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  29. ^ "Republic Act No. 10351".
  30. ^ "Republic Act No. 10368". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "R.A. No. 10028".
  33. ^ "gov.ph". Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  34. ^ "Senate approves stiffer penalties vs hospitals demanding deposits". May 15, 2017.
  35. ^ "Duterte signs Philippine Mental Health law". June 21, 2018.
  36. ^ "WHO Philippines lauds passage of new law on HIV, AIDS". The Philippine STAR.
  37. ^ Villanueva, Marichu A. (May 24, 2010). "13th Senator". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  38. ^ Jimenez, Atty Josephus (July 20, 2024). "Risa Hontiveros: The best senator of the country". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  39. ^ "Risa Hontiveros regretful for not entering theater scene". Philstar.com. May 18, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  40. ^ Legaspi, Amita (May 17, 2012). "PNoy reveals 4 sure LP senatorial bets for 2013". GMA News. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  41. ^ "Risa Hontiveros finally wins Senate seat: 'We defied gravity'". Rappler. May 19, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  42. ^ ABS-CBN News https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/10/22/hontiveros-is-sole-opposition-in-senate-magic-12-race. Retrieved May 27, 2025. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  43. ^ "'Dragon Slayer' Kaka Bag-ao returns as Dinagat Islands congresswoman".
  44. ^ Chi, Cristina (September 18, 2024). "Akbayan seeks House seat that An Waray vacated". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  45. ^ De Leon, Dwight (September 25, 2024). "Akbayan back in the House after Comelec formalizes 2022 election win". Rappler. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  46. ^ "Bello resigns as Akbayan representative, calls Aquino disgraceful". Inquirer News. March 11, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  47. ^ "Akbayan names Bello's replacement in Congress". Rappler. May 13, 2015. Retrieved July 12, 2015.

Further reading

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