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Akbayan Partylist picks rights lawyer Chel Diokno as first nominee

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:952px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17274957884541727495785963.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:952px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chel Diokno is sworn in as the newest member of the Akbayan Party, September 17, 2024. <em>Handout/Akbayan Party</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, who was initially eyed as an opposition senatorial candidate, will instead be seeking a House seat as first nominee of Akbayan Partylist.</p><p>Diokno, formerly of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, joined Akbayan Party this month, saying the move was meant to ensure that each party in the traditional opposition had just one candidate for senator.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/17/chel-diokno-joins-akbayan-for-2025-senatorial-bid-1617">READ: Chel Diokno joins Akbayan for 2025 senatorial bid</a></div><p>Diokno said on social media that he is grateful for the trust and support.</p><p>“It is an honor to represent [Akbayan] and push for its principles. We shall buckle down on protecting the welfare of the Filipino people, upholding our democracy and holding the corrupt accountable,” he also said.</p><p>Diokno, who leads the Free Legal Assistance Group, has decades of experience in handling human rights cases pro bono. He also provides basic legal tips on social media.</p><p>He said in February that &quot;the desire to serve is always there and I’m ready and willing to serve in any capacity — both in my private capacity, which I’m doing today, and as a public servant.&quot;</p><p>Diokno received 9.8 million votes when he ran for senator in 2022, up from 6.3 million in the 2019 midterm elections.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/23/diokno-denies-possible-coalition-with-admin-bets-for-2025-polls-1605">READ: Diokno denies possible coalition with admin bets for 2025 polls</a></div><p>Akbayan Partylist also named Rep. Percival Cendaña, who took his oath as a member of the House this week, as second nominee. That means he can be substitute nominee if Diokno pulls out or would get the party-list&#x27;s second seat at the House if Akbayan gets enough votes.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/25/akbayan-returns-to-house-after-comelec-formalizes-2022-poll-win-1447">READ: Akbayan returns to House after Comelec formalizes 2022 poll win</a></div><p>Diokno being named party-list nominee means the traditional mainstream opposition identified with the Liberal Party only has two candidates so far: Former Sens. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan of the LP and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV of KNP.</p><p>The administration Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, composed of the country’s largest political parties, this week announced <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/26/reelectionists-returnees-banner-marcos-jr-senatorial-slate-1145">a full 12-member slate for the Senate</a>.</p><p>The Makabayan coaliton, which has three seats at the House of Representatives, is fielding 10 candidates for senator so far, including ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chair Danilo Ramos.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(220, 161, 13)"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/26/makabayan-coalition-names-3-more-senate-candidates-for-2025-slate-1258">• Makabayan coalition names 3 more Senate candidates for 2025 slate</a><br/><br/></div><p><span style="color:#dca10d"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/15/labor-leaders-leody-de-guzman-luke-espiritu-announce-senatorial-bid-2258">Labor leaders Leody de Guzman and Luke Espiritu</a></span> have also announced their intent to run for Senate seats in the 2025 elections, as has labor lawyer Sonny Matula.<strong> — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zst-VOhNKtI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Diokno, formerly of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, joined Akbayan Party this month, saying the move was meant to ensure that each party in the traditional opposition had just one candidate for senator.</p>

Diokno, formerly of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino, joined Akbayan Party this month, saying the move was meant to ensure that each party in the traditional opposition had just one candidate for senator.