The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has officially proclaimed Akbayan Partylist as the top winner in the 2025 party-list elections, securing three seats in the 20th Congress. Riding high on the momentum of its historic victory—garnering an overwhelming 2.77 million votes—Akbayan vowed to build a broad “reform bloc” in the House of Representatives to champion urgent and transformative legislative reforms.
Akbayan’s incoming representatives—human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno, former National Youth Commission commissioner Perci Cendaña, and Indigenous Peoples and women’s rights advocate Dadah Kiram Ismula—announced their intention to constitute themselves as the “Akbayan Reform Bloc,” alongside Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao, a former Akbayan legislator. Together, they committed to working with fellow lawmakers who share a deep commitment to progressive reforms.
Diokno, recently named a member of the House prosecution panel in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, outlined their bloc’s core mission: to advance justice, demand accountability, and win meaningful reforms for the Filipino people.
“We thank the Filipino people for their trust and for giving us the opportunity to continue delivering the dedicated service that Akbayan Partylist is known for. We will not let you down. We remain committed to championing the rights and welfare of the public through meaningful legislation that aims to uplift lives and build a more just and inclusive society,” Diokno said.
“Maliwanag ang assignment namin bilang mga kinatawan ng Akbayan: Una, itaguyod ang panawagan ng mamamayan para sa katarungan at pananagutan. Pangalawa, ipanalo ang mga repormang kailangang-kailangan upang guminhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
Cendaña echoed this, emphasizing the need to form a reform bloc to propel progressive legislation forward, forge unity among like-minded lawmakers, and offer a clear alternative to traditional politics.
“The 2025 elections proved that despite disinformation and entrenched political machinery, the people can and will win. But we know three seats are not enough to carry the weight of all the battles we face. Kaya bubuuin natin ang isang mas malawak na alyansa para sa pagbabago—one that brings together committed public servants, including ML Rep. Leila de Lima, who has long stood with us in the fight for justice and truth,” Cendaña said.
For Ismula, Akbayan’s powerful return to Congress also marks a milestone for indigenous peoples’ representation in policymaking. A proud member of the Sama-Banguingui ethnic group, Ismula previously served in the Office of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative in Zamboanga City.
“Nasasanay ang ating lipunan na palaging nasa laylayan ang mga katutubo. Sa panalong ito, nais nating patunayan na hindi lang dapat dalhin sa Kongreso ang mga isyu ng katutubo—kundi pati ang kanilang boses, lakas, at ambag sa paggawa ng mga makabuluhang batas,” Ismula stressed.
In the 20th Congress, Akbayan announced that among its legislative priorities are the passage of the Security of Tenure Bill, the P 200 wage hike bill, a Strengthened Anti-Hospital Detention Law, expanded student subsidies, and comprehensive budget reform measures.
