Robredo, New Zealand PM Ardern greet Akbayan on its 8th Congress opening

Vice President Leni Robredo and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led pro-democracy leaders in joining the Akbayan Party-list during the opening of its 8th Congress on Saturday.

In a video message, Robredo said Akbayan plays a role in uniting those who fight for democracy, freedom, dignity of every Filipino, and human rights despite the challenges that were posed, especially during the current administration.

“Lalo lang itong umigting ngayon dahil alam natin na hind naging madali ang mga nakalipas na mga taon for those opposed in power right now, particularly sa mga partido natin na laging nasa forefront ng pagsusulong ng tunay na rights-based democracy sa bansa,” she said.

(Fighting for these values has become more important now because we know that the past years have not been easy for those opposed in power, particularly to our parties which are always at the forefront in the fight for true rights-based democracy in the country.)

Robredo lamented how the opposition became targets of troll armies, disinformation, and fake news but she encouraged them to push back and assert the truth.

The Vice President said she is in solidarity with Akbayan, reiterating the need for unity even with those who do not share their perspective.

“Kasabay nito idinidiin ko na hindi pwedeng tayo-tayo lang ang nagkakaisa. Kaya ang hamon sa atin ngayon, magbukas-loob, makinig at unawain ang pinanggagalingan ng kapwa, kasama na ang mga hindi tugma ang paniniwala sa atin,” she said.

(With this, I emphasize that we should unite even with those outside our parties. The challenge for us right now is to open our doors, listen, and understand others including those who are not aligned with our beliefs.)

In a letter sent to Akbayan, Ardern said she and her party, the New Zealand Labour Party, stand with Akbayan, noting the values both parties share.

“The theme of your congress, Together We Rally and Unite, is a pertinent one for us in New Zealand, especially as we continue the fight against COVID-19. It's critical here, as it is across the world, that we work together during these challenging times, and that we collectively develop a vision of the future we want to build as we come out the other side of the pandemic,” she said.

“The values our parties share mean that the conversations you're having during your Congress are probably very similar to the ones we're having here. There is much that unites us,” she added.

Apart from the two, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Francis Pangilinan, Dinagat Governor Kaka Bag-ao, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, and former Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales gave their encouragements and congratulatory messages via video for Akbayan’s 8th Congress. Senator Leila de Lima also sent a letter which was read by chief of staff during the event.

More human rights and democracy advocates from abroad expressed their solidarity for Akbayan, namely Malaysia's Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Party of European Socialists deputy secretary-general Giacomo Filibeck.

The Akbayan’s 8th Congress has opened with the theme "Resbak (Resist and Pushback): Akbayan sa Pagbangon at Pagkakaisa.”

The party observed a minute of silence for their ally, the late former President Benigno Aquino III, during the online event.

The party’s Congress seeks to strengthen its ranks, renew its commitment to progressive ideals and social change, and call on the public to resist President Rodrigo Duterte’s attempts at retaining power beyond 2022.

Akbayan delegates from various parts of the country joined the event through video conference. —KG, GMA News