Aksyon Demokratiko

Aksyon Demokratiko
PresidentIsko Moreno[1]
ChairmanErnesto Ramel Jr.
Secretary-GeneralLeon Flores III
FounderRaul Roco
Founded1997 (1997)
Split fromLDP
Headquarters3rd Floor, 62 Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City
NewspaperAksyon
Youth wingAksyon Kabataan
IdeologyProgressivism[2]
Liberal democracy[2]
Political positionCenter[3] to center-left[2]
National affiliation
Colors
  •   Blue
  •   White
  •   Yellow
  •   Tropical Indigo (customary)
Seats in the Senate
0 / 24
Seats in the House of Representatives
1 / 316
Provincial governorships
1 / 82
Provincial vice governorships
3 / 82
Provincial board members
17 / 1,023

Aksyon Demokratiko (lit. 'Democratic Action' IPA: [ʔɐkˌʃon dɛ.moˌkɾaː.tɪˈxo]) or simply Aksyon is a political party in the Philippines founded by Raul Roco. It was recognized as a national political party in 1998 by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and is considered to be one of the major parties in the Philippines.[2] Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno currently acts as president of the party.

History

1998 elections: Foundation of Aksyon

Senator Raul Roco resigned from LDP to form Aksyon Demokratiko for his plans for running in the 1998 presidential elections.[4][5] He chose peace negotiator Irene Santiago as his vice-presidential candidate. However, both lost to then Vice President Joseph Estrada and then-Senator Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[6]

2001 elections

Aksyon joined the People Power Coalition, with economist Winnie Monsod as one of its senatorial candidates from Aksyon, but lost the election.[7]

2004 elections: Alyansa ng Pag-asa

In 2004, Roco will attempt presidency for the second time with former Tarlac Congressman Hermie Aquino as his running-mate. They forged an alliance with Rene de Villa's Partido Reporma, and Lito Osmeña's PROMDI to form their Alyansa ng Pag-asa slate.[8] Former bowler Bong Coo,[9] Nicanor Gatmaytan, Jr., Nueva Ecija politician Eduardo Nonato Joson, Atty Batas Mauricio, TV personality Jay Sonza, and former bureaucrat Perfecto Yasay were selected in the slate, including former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez from Reporma.[10]

Ano ang inilalaban natin? Karangalan para sa Pilipino

— Raul Roco

He also revealed the party's Agenda of Hope on December 1, 2003.[11] Roco performed second to third in pre-election surveys but needed to leave for the United States for prostate cancer treatment. Despite decrease of support because of his recurring illness, Roco insisted that he will not resign from candidacy.[10][12] Also, the party feared vote buying initiated by President Arroyo's Lakas–CMD.[13]

Roco and the whole Alyansa lost the election, but he later called out Arroyo about her controversial election victory.[14][15] In August 2005, Roco died at the age of 63.[5]

2007 elections: Joining GO

Aksyon aligned with the Genuine Opposition (GO), the opposition against President Arroyo, Roco's former opponent in 2004 elections. Sonia Roco, Raul Roco's widow, ran for Senate in 2007 but lost.[16]

Old Aksyon logo 1997-2009

2010 elections: Liberal coalition

In 2010, the party signed a coalition agreement with the Liberal Party in order to jointly field then Senator Benigno Aquino III for president.[17] Now-party Chairwoman Sonia Roco was added in the senatorial slate of Senator Aquino's campaign.[18]

2016: Partido Galing at Puso

For the 2016 Philippine general election, the party fielded national and local candidates throughout the Philippines including lawyer Lorna Kapunan and TIEZA COO Mark Lapid. It was aligned with the candidacy of Grace Poe,[19] with Kapunan tapped into Poe's Partido Galing at Puso.[20]

2019: Rise of Vico Sotto and Otso Diretso

The party's standard bearer for the 2019 senatorial elections was former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who joined Otso Diretso.[21] Prominent local government candidates of the party during the 2019 elections included Vico Sotto and Roman Romulo, who ran as mayor and representative of Pasig respectively, and Marielle del Rosario as representative of Navotas.[22]

2022 elections and Isko Moreno's presidential run

Possible coalition with NPC

After the declaration of Ping Lacson and Tito Sotto for delcaring their campaign to run for president and vice president respectively, they discussed with Aksyon's top officials and Vico Sotto for possible coalition.[23][24]

Bilis Kilos: Isko Moreno's presidential run

Main article: Isko Moreno 2022 presidential campaign

In 2021, Aksyon named then Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who just joined the party from the National Unity Party, as its new party president ahead of the 2022 Philippine presidential election.[1] New notable party members that would follow included 2019 senatorial candidates Willie Ong, Samira Gutoc, Caloocan 2nd district representative Edgar Erice[25][26] and former Vice President Noli de Castro.[27] Ong was selected by Moreno as his running mate, with Gutoc, educator Carl Balita, and former Ipaglaban Mo! host Jopet Sison as its senatorial slate members. The nomination was skipped by Vico Sotto due to his commitments at city of Pasig.[28] Moreno also launched his campaign tagline "Bilis Kilos" (Fast Action).[29]

A number of party members expressed disappointment with Aksyon's choices during the 2022 election campaign.[30][31] In October 2021, former Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay resigned from Aksyon Demokratiko "out of ethical considerations," because he chose to support the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo instead of that of Domagoso, adding that "We can't afford another narcissistic, gas lighting troll for a president" but without specifically mentioning Domagoso by name. On April 2, 2022, former Aksyon executive director Erdie de los Santos also resigned to support Robredo rather than Domagoso.[31] Olongapo City Councilor Kaye Ann Legaspi, Aksyon's former vice president for youth affairs, led a faction of about a hundred party members expressing disappointment over Domagoso's tactics and saying that he was "damaging" the values that the party's founder Raul Roco had represented.[30][31]

Despite criticisms Moreno faced from some former Aksyon members including resigned ones, Roco's family, including the party's chairwoman emerita Sonia Roco, and Bobbit Roco sticked with Moreno's campaign.[32]

Moreno, Ong, and some Aksyon members who ran in the senate all lost, but some in the grassroots level candidates like Ike Ponce (who running for Mayorship in Pateros) won. In a thanksgiving party, Moreno stated that even they lost, he manifested that Aksyon can be feel "by the people for the next three years in their lives". Aksyon won some grassroots level positions and three Congress seats.[33]

Vico Sotto's resignation

In June 2022, immediately after the 2022 elections, Executive Vice-President Vico Sotto resigned from the party, saying he believed "recent events have made it apparent that the party is now headed towards a different direction." However, Sotto did not announce the fact of his resignation until five months later, in November 2022.[34]

2025 elections

Local elections

Aksyon Demokratiko logo used until September 3, 2024

In July 2024, Duterte critic and former senator Sonny Trillanes joined the party to run for 2025 mayoral election in Caloocan.[35][36] Also, party president Moreno was also fielded to return to his former position, the mayorship of Manila, against the incumbent Honey Lacuna, who left the party for Lakas–CMD.[37][38] More new members were sworn into the party ahead of the 2025 elections, including Moreno's son Joaquin Domagoso, Mocha Uson, former basketball player Paul Alvarez—who are running for councilor of Manila—as well as former Manila representatives Carlo Lopez and Amado Bagatsing.[39][40] Moreno cited that the membership of Trillanes and Uson, as those politicians who did not want any fighting or feud like them are joining Aksyon.[41]

Also, additional new party members include former congressman Paolo Javier who will run for governor of Antique, Barangay Baclaran chairman Jun Zaide who will seek the post of mayor of Paranaque,[42] and former Batanes Governor Telesforo Castillejos who will run for his former post.[43] The other new members hailed from Malabon City, Pasay City and the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Romblon, Antique, Maguindanao Sur, Rizal, Misamis Oriental, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, Bohol, Tarlac, Laguna, Bulacan, and Basilan.[42]

Senate elections

AGRI party-list congressman Wilbert Lee joined Aksyon to run for senate elections in 2025[44][45] with the party's last election's vice presidential nominee Willie Ong, who is still undergoing treatment in Singapore.[46] Ong was represented by his wife Dra. Liza Ong who also sworn in as member of Aksyon.[47]

Ideology

Magbago! (Change!) Makialam! (Participate!) Sulong sa Bagong Pilipinas! (Forward to a New Philippines!) are the party's slogans. Aksyon is rooted in Raul Roco's The Agenda of Hope: honest government; opportunity for all, special privileges for none; peace, productivity and prosperity; education and environment for sustainable development.[11][48]

Aksyon believes that there should be regional solutions to regional problems. Aksyon organizes itself based on the principles of local autonomy. It believes and pushes for the empowerment of the Filipino masses. The party advocates a 'bottom-up' approach in tackling the issues of the country. Aksyon recognizes the importance of the participation of youth in government and therefore actively pushes for the empowerment of the youth.[11]

Membership

The following are the oath taken by new members:

Ako si (pangalan), mula sa (distrito / municipalidad / lungsod / probinsya), ay taimtim na nanunumpa bilang kasapi ng Aksyon Demokratiko. Buong loob kong isusulong ang mga prinsipyo ng Aksyon upang makamit ang isang progresibo, inklusibo, at masaganang bayan na may malinis at epektibong pamahalaan, nagmamalasakit sa bawat Pilipino. Patuloy akong maniniwala sa likas na galing, lakas, at pagkamalikhain ng Pilipino. Ako'y magiging lider na nagsusulong ng mga pagbabago, nagpapaginhawa sa aking kapwa, at makapagbigay-boses, at kaunlaran sa mga nangangailangan. Handa akong magmulat, mas handa akong umaksyon para sa demokrasya, para sa bayan. [Kasihan nawa ako ng Diyos.]

Electoral performance

Presidential and vice presidential elections

Year Presidential election Vice presidential election
Candidate Vote share Result Candidate Vote share Result
1998 Raul Roco
13.38%
 Joseph Estrada
(LAMMP/PMP) 		Irene Santiago
0.94%
 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(Lakas–CMD)
2004 Raul Roco
6.45%
 Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
(Lakas–CMD) 		Herminio Aquino
3.24%
 Noli de Castro
(Independent)
2010 None Benigno Aquino III
(Liberal) 		None 2010 Raul Roco 2013 Raul Roco Jejomar Binay
(PDP–Laban)
2016 None 2016 Raul Roco Rodrigo Duterte
(PDP–Laban) 		None Leni Robredo
(Liberal)
2022 Isko Moreno
3.57%
 Bongbong Marcos
(Partido Federal) 		Willie Ong
3.57%
 Sara Z. Duterte
(Lakas–CMD)

Legislative elections

Congress of the Philippines
House of Representatives Senate
Year Seats won Result Year Seats won Ticket Result
1998
1 / 258
 Lakas plurality 1998 Not
participating 		LAMMP win 7/12 seats
2001
2 / 256
 Lakas plurality 2001
1 / 13
 People Power Coalition People Power Coalition win 8/13 seats
2004
2 / 261
 Lakas plurality 2004
0 / 12
 Alyansa ng Pag-asa K4 win 7/12 seats
2007 Not
participating 		Lakas plurality 2007
0 / 12
 Genuine Opposition Genuine Opposition win 8/12 seats
2010
0 / 286
 Lakas plurality 2010 Not
participating 		Liberal Party win 4/12 seats
2013
0 / 292
 Liberal Party plurality 2013 Not
participating 		Team PNoy win 9/12 seats
2016
1 / 297
 Liberal Party plurality 2016
0 / 12
 Split ticket Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid win 7/12 seats
2019
1 / 304
 PDP–Laban plurality 2019
0 / 12
 Otso Diretso Hugpong ng Pagbabago win 9/12 seats
2022
3 / 304
 PDP–Laban plurality 2022
0 / 12
 Team Bilis Kilos UniTeam win 6/12 seats

Current party officials

  • Sonia Roco, Party Co-founder, Chair Emeritus
  • Ernest Ramel (former Aksyon Demokratiko's Secretary General), Party Chairman and National Executive Board Member
  • Francisco Moreno Domagoso (former Manila City Mayor), Party President[49] and National Executive Board Member
  • Andres Lacson (Former Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor), Vice Chairperson and National Executive Board Member
  • Leon Flores III (former National Youth Commission Chairperson), Secretary-General and National Executive Board Member
  • vacant, Vice-President for Internal Affairs and National Executive Board Member
  • Atty. Bobbit Roco, Vice-President for External Affairs and National Executive Board Member
  • May Lim, Vice-President for Women Affairs
  • Jayson San Juan, Deputy Secretary-General
  • Michael Roy Cuerpo, Treasurer and National Executive Board Member
  • Atty. Normandy Baldovino, Jr, General Counsel and National Executive Board Member
  • Samira Gutoc, National Executive Board Member[25]
  • Antonio Aquino, National Executive Board Member
  • Frein Jarane P. Castañeda (former Mariveles, Bataan Councilor), National Executive Board Member
  • Danilo De Guzman (current Mandaluyong City Councilor), National Executive Board Member
  • Atty. Ernesto C. Isip Jr. (current Manila City Councilor), National Executive Board Member
  • Richard C. Ibay (former Manila City Councilor), National Executive Board Member
  • Anthony P. Sanchez, National Executive Board Member
  • Jose Cabochan, National Executive Board Member
  • Sainthia Joy A. Sorilla (current New Lucena, Iloilo Councilor), National Executive Board Member
  • Atty. Marlon M. Lacson, REA (current Secretary to the Mayor, Manila, former Manila City Councilor and former Manila City Assessor), National Executive Board Member
  • Manuel M. Zarcal (former Manila City Councilor), National Executive Board Member

Party leadership history

Party chairperson (chairman/chairwoman)

Chairperson Term Start Term End
Cho Roco c. until 2006
Sonia Roco 2006 2013
Hermie Aquino 2013 July 31, 2021
Ernest Ramel August 12, 2021 present

Party president

President Term Start Term End
Raul Roco 1997 August 5, 2005
Hermie Aquino 2005 2009
Jaime Galvez-Tan 2009 2013
Robbie Pierre "Bobbit" Roco 2013[50] August 12, 2021
Isko Moreno Domagoso August 12, 2021 present

References

  1. ^ a b Ranada, Pia (August 12, 2021). "Isko Moreno elected Aksyon Demokratiko president". Rappler.
  2. ^ a b c d Macaraeg, Pauline (January 27, 2019). "Who to Vote For? Get To Know the Political Parties in the Philippines". Esquire. Philippines. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Aksyon Demokratiko is centrist". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 10, 2021.
  4. ^ Benigno, Teodoro C. (August 5, 2002). "The Roco factor". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Crisostomo, Sheila (August 6, 2005). "Roco succumbs to cancer; 63". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Samonte, Severino (May 18, 2022). "'98, '22 general elections had 10 presidential candidates each". Philippine News Agency.
  7. ^ "Mindanaoans are aware of issues — Monsod". The Philippine Star. March 21, 2001. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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  12. ^ "Roco balik na,pero alyansa basag na". Philstar.com. April 29, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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  14. ^ Crisostomo, Sheila (May 3, 2004). "'Bong' votes should go to Coo, not Revilla'". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
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  16. ^ Esteves, Patricia (August 6, 2006). "Roco's widow eyes Senate seat in 2007". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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  18. ^ Calica, Aurea (February 10, 2010). "Noynoy calls for 'new people power'". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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  29. ^ Gutierrez, Dennis (November 22, 2021). "Isko Moreno: 'Bilis Kilos' agenda in Manila doable in entire Philippines". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Aksyon Demokratiko Youth VP: Moreno's Sunday presser very unbecoming of a public servant, gentleman". YouTube.
  31. ^ a b c Luna, Franco. "Ex-Aksyon Demokratiko members 'disappointed' in Isko Moreno after press conference". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  32. ^ Domingo, Katrina (April 29, 2022). "Roco family won't switch, will keep backing Isko despite prodding from rival camps". ABS-CBN News.
  33. ^ Domingo, Katrina (June 23, 2022). "Isko sorry for 2022 election defeat; Sonia Roco says Aksyon Demokratiko still grateful". ABS-CBN News.
  34. ^ Yalao, Khriscielle (November 2, 2022). "Mayor Vico resigns from Aksyon Demokratiko". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  35. ^ Domingo, Katrina (July 15, 2024). "Aksyon Demokratiko to field Trillanes as Caloocan mayoralty bet in 2025 elections". ABS-CBN News.
  36. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (July 15, 2024). "Trillanes now with Aksyon Demokratiko". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Ong, Ghio (July 20, 2024). "Isko may run for Manila mayor under Aksyon Demokratiko". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  38. ^ Lalu, Gabiel Pabico (August 6, 2024). "Miro Quimbo, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna join Lakas-CMD". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  39. ^ Gasgonia, Dennis (September 8, 2024). "Mocha Uson, Paul Alvarez join Isko Moreno's Aksyon Demokratiko". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  40. ^ "Aksyon Demokratiko swears in new members ahead of 2025 May polls". GMA Integrated News. September 12, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  41. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (October 3, 2024). "Isko Moreno on Uson, Trillanes joining his party: People want peace". Inquirer.net. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Aksyon Demokratiko swears in new members ahead of 2025 May polls". GMA News Online. September 12, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Visaya, Vince Jacob (October 18, 2024). "Four Batanes aspirants vie for governor". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  44. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (September 20, 2024). "Will Isko Moreno rub off on him? Congressman Lee bares Senate bid, joins Aksyon Demokratiko". Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  45. ^ "Isko leads oath-taking for Wilbert Lee as Aksyon Demokratiko member". metromanila.politiko.com.ph. September 23, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  46. ^ Aning, Jerome (October 3, 2024). "Cancer-stricken Ong, Go, dela Rosa file COCs for Senate". Inquirer.net. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  47. ^ Manila, RadyoMaN (September 30, 2024). "Asawa ni Doc Willie na si Dra. Liza Ong, nanumpa sa Aksyon Demokratiko bago ang pagsisimula ng COC filing - RMN Networks". RMN Networks. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  48. ^ "Raul Roco's Aksyon Demokratiko endorses Grace Poe". Rappler. April 21, 2016.
  49. ^ "Aksyon Demokratiko elects Isko Moreno as new party president ahead of Eleksyon 2022". GMA News. August 12, 2021.
  50. ^ Mateo, Janvic (April 28, 2013). "Roco party endorses Bam, Rissa". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 23, 2024.