Akbayan! Citizens' Action Party
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After twenty years of dictatorship under the Marcos regime, formal democracy in the Philippines was restored in 1986 through a broad "people power" movement. The Akbayan Party feels that 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. The party seeks to rally social movements, trade union groups, and political organizations to challenge state policies through lobbying and pressure politics.
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.
A series of consultations on the party-building project began in early 1994. Nationwide, pro-democracy groups were enjoined to assist shape the party concept and strategy. Aspirations of various sectors and organizations (labor, peasants, youth, women, gay 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 launched through its Founding National Congress. In May of the same year, the 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 in the regions.
To date, Akbayan vigorously extend its effort from the Philippine progressive community to break the hold of traditional politicians and political parties on Philippine politics.
Program and Political Agenda
Akbayan is envisioned to be a major vehicle for the projection and pursuit of a progressive reform agenda which has, thus far, been bypassed and neglected by the Philippine government.
Akbayan primarily stands for program-based politics. It seeks to transform the dominant practice of personality-and-patronage-based politics. It aims to break the tradition of deal making between and among politicians, and replace it with more participatory and rational decision-making.
In Akbayan's analysis, public welfare has been undermined by members of the elite who join government to further vested economic interests. It is Akbayan's hope that through citizens' participation in policy-making, the country's economic environment would become accessible to the general population. Akabayan also seeks to engage government for better social policies that would include redistributive reforms, delivery of basic services and appropriate safety nets.
Moreover, Akbayan seeks to contribute to the development of a political party system that is based on programs and accountabilities, and not on political opportunism. It envisions a political culture where citizens are genuinely aware, responsive and free.