Akbayan eyes ‘WPS bloc’ in House

EMERGING ON TOP The party list Akbayan, which received more than 2.7 million votes and the leader in the party list race in the May 12 elections, will get three seats in the House of Representatives. Their three nominees—lawyer Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula—are joined by their relatives, Akbayan officials and supporters during their proclamation on Monday. —LYN RILLON

Akbayan, which topped the party list race in the May 12 elections, wants to form a “West Philippine Sea (WPS) bloc” in the House of Representatives.

The group is also pushing for the creation of a WPS Institute and the passage of a bill declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague voted in favor of the Philippines when it declared as baseless China’s claim to almost the entire South China Sea.

“Akbayan’s three seats in Congress will work with other patriotic and pro-WPS legislators to form a strong West Philippine Sea bloc that will champion laws protecting our seas and the rights and welfare of our fisherfolk and maritime frontliners,” Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña said.

According to Cendaña, he envisions the WPS bloc in Congress as “a bloc of champions.”

“Champions of sovereignty, those who stand firm and believe that the West Philippine Sea is ours. These are our countrymen and our companions in Congress who believe that it is ours,” he told reporters at a press briefing in Quezon City.

WPS Institute proposed

He further said the proposed WPS Institute would be mandated to conduct research, protect marine resources, and develop educational programs aimed at raising awareness and national pride.

Aside from Cendaña, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno and indigenous leader Dadah Kiram Ismula will join him as the party’s representatives in the lower chamber.

Diokno, for his part, said Akbayan would push for the mandatory teaching of West Philippine Sea history and geography in schools.

“We will use facts and education to counter the lies, propaganda, and fake news being peddled by the Chinese government and its agents in the country,” he said.

From May 26 to May 30, the Atin Ito coalition will conduct its third civilian mission to the WPS which is dubbed a “peace and solidarity sea concert.”

The group, which is composed of volunteers, artists, musicians, fisherfolk and civil society leaders, will sail to the vicinity of the Kalayaan Island Group, particularly Pag-asa (Thitu) Island.

“The mission includes a sunset musical event at the jump-off point in El Nido, Palawan; dialogue sessions and cultural exchanges; and a concert performance in the exclusive economic zone near Pag-asa Island,” Akbayan party list president Rafaela David told reporters in Quezon City.