Akbayan reps, Bag-ao to form House 'independent reform bloc'

The three Akbayan party-list Representatives-elect will form an independent reform bloc with Dinagat Islands representative-elect Arlene Bag-ao for the 20th Congress.

Akbayan party-list, which topped the 2025 party-list race with over 2.7 million votes to secure three seats, said that it will also join a broader coalition with the rest of their colleagues who will share their advocacies and platforms.

“We are set to form an independent, pro-people Akbayan Reform Bloc. We are ready to buckle down to work and deliver on our campaign promises to the Filipino people,” Akbayan party-list elect and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno said in a statement.

“We [also] need to build an alliance of hope with fellow legislators who are ready to pull up their sleeves, courageously jump in the ring and win landmark battles inside Congress,” added Diokno.

Other Akbayan party-list Representatives-elect are incumbent lawamker Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula.

“The desire of our people for substantial solutions to the pressing problems they face is reflected in the historic support we received during the last election. We are excited to bring Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros’ brand of progressive leadership and public service inside the House of Representatives, focusing on issues affecting the youth, senior citizens, farmers, fisherfolk, and other marginalized groups,” Diokno said.

Among Akbayan’s priority bills are the Anti-Endo bill, the ?200 legislated wage hike, the Allowance is Essential Bill, and the sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristic equality (SOGIE) bill, among others.

“It is the people’s hopes that fueled our victory. The Filipino voters, especially the youth who showed up for Akbayan are also key to winning big reform battles in the House. We must organize them into a cohesive force capable of putting pressure on Congress,” Cendaña said.

“Having a Moro, woman, and indigenous person elected as a Partylist Representative is a powerful message from the voters — that Congress works for the people. The people brought Akbayan from the margins to the top. With their resounding support, we intend to fight and win key reforms inside the next congress, especially for those in the margins,” Ismula added.

Cendaña earlier said that the Akbayan representatives will also form a West Philippine Sea bloc to boost efforts in defending the country's sovereign territorial rights, which have come under threat from China's aggressions. —VAL, GMA Integrated News