The Akbayan party-list has reiterated its support for the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo as well as of her running-mate Senator Francis Pangilinan and their team’s seven senatorial aspirants.
Apart from reelectionist Senator Risa Hontiveros, Akbayan is also backing Senator Leila de Lima, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former representative Teddy Baguilat, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, trade union leader Sonny Matula and lawyer Alex Lacson in the May 9 national polls.
The group claims it is composed of 100,000 democratic socialists, progressives, reform advocates, and sectoral and mass movement leaders.
It identified three major considerations behind its endorsement — loyalty to Robredo and Pangilinan, individual capacity, and integrity.
“First, the senatorial candidates have supported the presidential and vice-presidential campaigns of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan from the very beginning. They did not waver. They did not flirt with other presidential candidates and hedge their bets,” the party list said.
“This is more than a show of loyalty. It demonstrates a deep commitment to a vision of governance anchored on shared democratic values and principles. It is the path of integrity over political expediency and unprincipled compromise,” it added.
“They also continue to safeguard the nation’s coffers from plunderers and push back against modern authoritarianism. Their body of work is on full display. We can be assured that with these people in the Senate, they will continue to defend the people and fight for progressive change,” it said.
“If we are to truly craft a new democratic vision for the nation, we firmly believe that these values must remain paramount. They will ensure that indebtedness to the old ways of traditional and patronage politics are cast aside, and that conditions for people-centered governance can truly take root,” the group said.