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Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno said he was shocked to find out that their group is leading the party-list race based on partial, unofficial results.  Diokno told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday they expected to garner a lot of votes, but not the number they initially have.&quot;Shookt na shookt kami. Di namin in-expect na ganito ang lalabas na resulta. We were hoping of course, for a lot of votes, but we never expected this number,&quot; he said.  When asked what contributed to this initial result, Diokno pointed to their campaign strategy, a chunk of which was through social media, which he believes &#x27;leveled the playing field.&#x27;&quot;Tingin ko kombinasyon &#x27;yan ng ground efforts namin at &#x27;yung ginawa namin sa ere, lalong lalo na sa social media. Alam mo naman pag media, dehado ang mga grupo tulad ng Akbayan. Wala kaming resources. Pero pag dating sa socmed [social media], kaya naman. Kinaya talaga,&quot; he explained. &quot;Hindi kami tumigil na umikot mula pa last year. Talagang alam namin na uphill battle ito. Kaya we really did times 10 ang effort namin. Hindi lang sa social media, pati narin on the ground,&quot; he added.  Under Republic Act No. 7491, a group that gets at least 2 percent of total votes in the party-list race will get at least one seat in the House of Representatives.  If a group garners another 2 percent, an additional seat will be given but is capped at a total of three seats.  Incumbent Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña is the second nominee, while the third nominee is Moro women and indigenous people&#x27;s leader Dadah Kiram Ismula.  Diokno said they are ready to get to work once they enter the lower house.  &quot;Ang dami naming gustong gawin pag dating sa ating kabataan, pag dating sa iba-ibang sektor. Ang magiging ng isyu nalang namin diyan, alin ang uunahin namin pagbukas ng Kongreso,&quot; he said.&quot;Our priority is really involved in gut issues that affecting our people today. Nandiyan ang issues ng sobrang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin ang pagkain lalo na, nandoon ang issue sa corruption, nandiyan yung issue ng napakalaking krisis na edukasyon, pati sa healthcare,&quot; the lawyer added.Diokno welcomed their entry to the lower house as a chance for progressive groups to be united.&quot;This is just a great opportunity for all the progressive blocs to get together and to really make themselves felt in Congress. Sa tingin ko, napaka-gandang pagkakataon ito. Excited na excited din kami to reach out to all the other groups,&quot; he said.When asked about what position Akbayan will take in Congress, whether it will be opposition or will they collaborate with the administration, he said: &quot;Tingin ko ang pinaka-effective na positi position ay yung issue position. Ibig sabihin nun, titingnan dapat ng  grupo [Akbayan] yung bawat issue at ano ba dapat ang magiging paninindigan namin para sa taongbayan.&quot;&quot;Magkakaroon ng sitwasyon na maaaring pareho kami ng tingin sa administrasyon sa issue. For example, West Philippine Sea. We&#x27;re happy with the way the administration is conducting itself,&quot;  Diokno reiterated his position on reforming the party-list law and being against political dynasties.&quot;Ako mismo matagal ko nang sinasabi na kailangan ayusin ang party-list system.... Sana maayos natin ang party-list law to make sure siya ang magiging instrumento para may boses ang iba&#x27;t-ibang sektor lalo na yung marginalized sa ating lipunan,&quot; he said.&quot;Maganda kung maipasok natin yan. Tatlo yung nakikita namin eh. It should be represent the sector. Connected doon, yung napiling nominee should represent the sector at pangatlo yung political dynasty,&quot; Diokno added.As of 9:02 am of May 13,2025, Akbayan is at the top spot with 2,204,516 votes at 6.54 percent.

Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno said he was shocked to find out that their group is leading the party-list race. #Halalan2025

Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno said he was shocked to find out that their group is leading the party-list race. #Halalan2025

'Shookt na shookt kami:' Diokno surprised with Akbayan leading party-list race

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'Shookt na shookt kami:' Diokno surprised with Akbayan leading party-list race

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 13, 2025 09:50 AM PHT

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