|
Akbayan Citizens' Action Party is a democratic socialist party in the Philippines. It is also the largest Democratic Left political party in the country with around 100,000 members. 〔https://akbayan.org.ph/news/12-press-releases/339-akbayan-to-aquino-abolish-the-pork〕 ==History== After twenty years of dictatorship under the Marcos regime, formal democracy in the Philippines was restored in 1986 through a broad "people power" movement. This democracy, however, proved to favor only the political and economic elite of the country. The moving force behind the anti-dictatorship struggle – concerned citizens and progressive groups – has been relegated to the periphery of decision-making and policy implementation. In response, social movements, trade union groups, and political organizations have emerged to challenge state policies through lobbying and pressure politics. Despite the dynamism of Philippine movements, formal institutions of democracy remained in the hands of the few and the wealthy. It was within this context that the idea of building an alternative, a citizens' political party, first emerged. Social movement groups wanted to be part of the formal processes of government. Akbayan was thus conceived as an effort to institutionalize people power and thereby deepen Philippine democracy. Consultations on the party-building project began in 1994. Throughout the country, pro-democracy groups were enjoined to help shape the party concept and strategy. Aspirations of various sectors – labor, peasants, youth, women, gays and lesbians, professionals, overseas Filipino workers, urban poor – were discussed and consolidated into a program of governance, while ad hoc structures were formed in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Four years later, in January 1998, Akbayan was formally established through its Founding National Congress. In May of the same year, the new party tested its strength by participating in the local and party-list elections and won seats in the House of Representatives, and several local government units. To date, Akbayan claims to pose the most persistent effort from the Philippine progressive community to break the hold of traditional politicians and political parties on Philippine politics.〔(A Brief History ), About Us〕 Opposition to Rightwing extremism and Extremism from the Communist Party of the Philippines Akbayan is also noted to be a leader member of the Democratic Left community in the Philippines 〔http://www.philstar.com:8080/headlines/790428/llamas-hits-reds-tag-democratic-left〕 (leftist groups who are not affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines). It has been critical of abuses committed by some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against fellow activists.〔http://www.europe-solidaire.org/spip.php?article5241〕 It has also been critical of the Communist Party of the Philippines - National Democratic Front - New People's Army's (CPP-NDF-NPA) atrocities in the countryside especially against peasant groups and communities against the Maoist group's extortion activities. Due to its stance against Rightwing extremism (from some elements of the AFP) and from the Extreme Left (CPP-NPA-NDF), Akbayan has been a target by both political groups.〔https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/03/03/18371891.php?show_comments=1〕 Repression during the Arroyo administration During the Administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Akbayan was among the opposition groups which was severely repressed by the government. It was also during this time that because of government intimidation that Akbayan suffered its lowest number of votes in 2007 with just well over 400,000 votes. In 2009, Akbayan supported the presidential candidacy of then Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Fueled by the popular discontent with the outgoing administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino won the presidency by a huge margin. This was also the first time that Akbayan was able to breach the 1 million vote mark, its best performance so far. The votes it garnered was 200,000 votes more than the last time it secured three seats in the House of Representatives. However, it failed to secure three seats owing to a Supreme Court decision which ensured that only the leading partylist (Ako Bicol at that time) in the election would secure three seats. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Akbayan」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|