Makabayan says progressive bloc here to stay
The progressive Makabayan coalition on Friday crossed party lines to congratulate presumptive senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, as well as top party list nominees and human rights lawyers Chel Diokno of Akbayan and Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal, for winning in this week’s midterm elections.
In a statement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) president Renato Reyes said they hoped their liberal counterparts would “stand with the people in the fight for accountability of the past and present regimes.”
This as the Makabayan bloc sustained heavy electoral losses, particularly with Bayan Muna not winning any seat for the third straight election and thus would be delisted for the 2028 elections. Two of their sectoral party lists, ACT Teachers and Kabataan, managed to survive their reelection bids while Gabriela Women’s Party is awaiting the final results of the party list votes as it stands at the tail of party lists eligible for one seat.
Still, Reyes sees this as a victory considering the “sustained and coordinated attacks by state forces, relentless Red-tagging and repression and a campaign of disinformation.”
Enduring attacks
“No other political party today had to endure the attacks that Makabayan and its party list groups faced. The regime sought to wipe out Makabayan in the electoral arena but it failed,” he said.
Reyes was referring to how the entire bloc was subject to an intense disinformation campaign in the run-up to the elections, culminating in a barrage of fake news on the eve of the May 12 polls about their party lists supposedly being disqualified by the Commission on Elections.
“The party list system in particular has been overrun by representatives of the rich and powerful, thus further marginalizing the already marginalized. Attempts to challenge the status quo are met with the most vicious acts of state terror. Despite the limitations of the current reactionary elections, we fought with courage and determination and achieved significant victories that will resound even beyond the narrow electoral arena,” he said.
He also acknowledged the surprising results in the senatorial race, where their candidates like labor lawyer Luke Espiritu and activist Teddy Casino got 6 million and 5 million votes, respectively.
Gaining support
“Despite the tremendous obstacles, we were able to campaign for the senate race even without significant resources and media machinery. We were able to prove that even in a contest dominated by political dynasties, progressive voices can hold their own and gain support of millions,” Reyes said.
“We continue to plant the seeds of nationalist and democratic politics, and of a genuine people’s opposition. The effects will be felt in the years to come. We are ever hopeful that the mass movement will continue to move forward even after the elections,” he added.
