Campaign fever is on as party-list groups join fray

(Bayan Muna Party-list)

Various party-list groups vying for seats in the House of Representatives also kicked off their respective campaigns for the 2025 mid-term elections on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Unike the district representatives who hold office at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, party-list groups' reach is national in scale.

On the first day of the official election campaign period, former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares underscored the need to bring back Bayan Muna in the House after missing out entirely in the 19th Congress.

He emphasized the party-list's critical role in advancing the rights and welfare of the Filipino people amid high prices of basic goods and services, rampant corruption, foreign intervention, and anti-poor policies.  

"The absence of Bayan Muna in Congress has only emboldened corrupt politicians and big business interests to pass laws that burden the people while benefiting the rich and powerful," Colmemares said in a statement.

Until the 19th Congress, Bayan Muna was historically the top vote-getter among the leftist Makabayan groups.

BUHAY Party-List led by former congressman Lito Atienza on Tuesday held simultaneous gatherings in Manila, particularly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center and at the Cebu Laiko Center with the celebration of the Holy Mass and Blessing of nominees.

Atienza and fellow party-list nominees Dr. Rene Bullecer and Carlos Sario are eying a Congress return in a bid to continue BUHAY’s fight for life and the promotion of a culture of life. This had been sacrificed in recent years when it had no representatives in the House.

During his speech, Atienza vowed to continue BUHAY’s fight against anti-life and anti-family measures, as well as corruption. He vowed to work on more bills aimed at improving  the lives of Filipinos.

(BUHAY Party-list)

Atienza served as BUHAY congressman in the 16th to the 18th Congress, or from 2013 to 2022. During his three terms, Atienza consistently spoke out and voted against anti-life measures such as divorce, same-sex marriage, and the death penalty.  

Also launching its campaign Tuesday was CIBAC Party-List, the country’s longest serving party-list. It held its campaign opening rally at the Municipal Covered Court of Bocaue, Bulacan where more than 3,000 leaders from different sectors nationwide were represented.

Present during the campaign rally were Bocaue Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna, and CIBAC nominees led by CIBAC Rep. Bro. Eddie Villanueva. 

Villanueva, a former deputy speaker, called on the Filipino people to rally behind the party’s platform and to continue to fight for a corrupt-free and genuine public service.

"Habang hindi pa nagugunaw ang mundo, magpapatuloy ang CIBAC Party-List para sa kapakanan ng Pilipino (While the world has not yet ended, CIBAC Party-List will continue to serve for the welfare of Filipinos)," he said.

Since 2001, CIBAC has pushed for 223 laws such as the Anti-Red Tape Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) Law, and Ease of Doing Business Act, among others. 

Also on Tuesday, Akbayan Party-list officially launched its 90-day election campaign via Zumba event at University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman in Quezon City. Akbayan’s first nominee, lawyer Chel Diokno, and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña the exercise-themed kickoff rally.

Akbayan--known to be aligned with former vice president Leni Robredo-urged voters to "exercise their right to vote for candidates committed to progressive reforms and the delivery of essential social services".

"We must sweat for the future we want, take action, and push forward with determination. Kaya kung mahal natin ang ating bansa, mag-akbayan tayo para sa mas magandang bukas (If we love our country, then let's band together for a better tomorrow),” Diokno said.

Cendaña echoed this, and vowed to "reignite the kakampink spirit” that energized millions in the previous 2022 elections.

“We will reignite the kakampink spirit; we will amplify its energy, embrace more voices, and paint this election with even more vibrant colors as we win big for the people,” he said.