Ako Bicol

Ako Bicol Political Party
Founded 2006
Headquarters Legazpi, Albay
Youth wing AYOS Bicol Movement
Ideology Bicolano regionalism
Federalism
Political position Partylist
Colors Yellow and red
Slogan "Katabang na, kasurog pa" ("Your help and companion")
Seats in the House of Representatives
3 / 292
Website
http://akobicolpartylist.com/

Ako Bicol Political Party (AKB) is a political party in the Philippines participating in the party-list elections in the Philippines. It represents the Bicol Region and the Bicolano people. In the 2016 elections, AKB was the top partylist with 1,664,975 votes, earning it 3 seats in Congress.[1]

Background

AKB is a movement composed of individuals who are either residents of the Bicol Region, born of Bicolano parents, have resided in Bicol or simply interested in the promotion of the welfare and interests of the region and its people, collectively known as “Bicolanos,” with the aim to unite Bicolanos to work in the development of the Bicol Region through programs and projects that will combat poverty, provide adequate social services, promote full employment, guarantee social justice and full respect for human rights, recognize the sanctity of human life, improve delivery of health services, democratize access to education and training, protect the environment, enhance disaster preparedness and advance the participation of youth, women, gays and lesbians and physically challenged individuals as well senior citizens in nation building.[2]

AKB also endeavors to instill confidence and foster patriotism among Bicolanos through the promotion of Bicol history, arts and culture, appreciation of the role of Bicolano heroes, national figures and other role models in the historical and cultural development of the region and strengthening the inherent resiliency of Bicolanos amidst adversities but at the same time, minimizing and if not totally eradicating, perceived attitudes and values which tend to hamper progress and development.[2]

Representatives in Congress

After topping the 2016 elections, AKB was given 3 seats for the 17th Congress of the Philippines. Its 3 representatives are Hon. Rodel M. Batocabe, Hon. Christopher S. Co, and Hon. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr.[1]

Before the 2010 election

AKB started as a non-government organization under the name "SOS Bicol," which provided rescue aid to residents in the Bicol region after Typhoon Reming (Durian) hit; it also sponsored livelihood programs for residents affected by the 2009 eruption of the Mayon Volcano.[3]

2010 campaign

In a May 2010 Social Weather Stations opinion poll, AKB topped the survey, with 5.64% of the vote, the equivalent of two seats, beating seasoned party-list election contenders Buhay Hayaan Yumabong and Bayan Muna. However, AKB has been accused by the Kontra Daya (Against Cheating) group of being a creation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to expand her base of allies in the House of Representatives, a charge that AKB denied.[4]

AKB emerged as the surprising topnotcher in the 2010 election, one of only two parties (the other being 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy) above the threshold not to have previously sat in Congress.[3] However, in a Bicol Mail column by Luis Ruben General, AKB would duplicate the work of the district representatives, implying that the "Bicolanos are now marginalized and distinctly disadvantaged."[3] However, a disqualification case was filed against the party, claiming that the party had violated the party-list system law since the party was backed by the Co family, which owns construction companies, malls and resorts in Bicol, and therefore "cannot represent the marginalized and underrepresented sector,” according to the disqualification petition.[5]

On May 31, 2010, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared several groups to have won seats under the party-list system, but the proclamations of AKB's seats (and those of several other parties) were deferred due to the pending disqualification cases against them.[6] On July 28, it was announced that the COMELEC had dismissed all petitions against AKB, saying that party-list system law allows for regional political parties that do not represent a particular sector of society.[7] The original petition was dismissed on June 29, but the original petitioners did not file a motion for reconsideration until July 26, after deadline for filing motions has lapsed. This allows the commission to proclaim Ako Bicol's three nominees as congressmen.[8]

2013 campaign

On October 10, 2012, COMELEC announced that AKB (along with 12 other parties) was disqualified from running in the 2013 party-list election by a unanimous 6–0 vote of commission members. The commission cited the party's failure to represent a specific sector of society, a requirement for parties fielding candidates under the sectoral representation (party list) system.[9] AKB Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. expressed surprise at the decision.[10] On November 13, 2012, the Supreme Court granted a petition filed by AKB to forestall COMELEC acting on its decision.[11]

2016 campaign

In the 2016 elections, Ako Bicol won 1,664,975 votes (5.14% of the national vote), the highest votes for any party in the election, while winning 3 seats in total, making it the party's most successful election.

Electoral performance

Election Votes % Seats
2010[12] 1,058,691 5.20% 3
2013 763,103 2.67% 2
2016 1,664,975 5.14% 3

Results in the Bicol Region

AKB was the party-list with the most number of votes in the Bicol Region; in most regions, the party with the second-highest number of votes won with less than 10% of the vote, except in Masbate, where the Alliance of Bicolnon Party won 14.80% of the vote.

Election Albay Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorsogon Total Bicol Total Philippines
2010 342,784 (69.85%) 361,397 (62.02%) 41,825 (40.38%) 65,495 (32.81%) 151,121 (56.56%) 962,622 (46.07%) 1,058,691 (5.20%)

Representatives to Congress

Period 1st Representative 2nd Representative 3rd Representative
15th Congress
2010–2013		 Hon. Christopher S. Co Hon. Rodel M. Batocabe Hon. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr.
16th Congress
2013–2016		 Hon. Christopher S. Co Hon. Rodel M. Batocabe N/A
17th Congress
2016–2019		 Hon. Rodel M. Batocabe Hon. Christopher S. Co Hon. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr.

Philippine Laws Authored

AKB has authored and co-authored several Philippine laws since it was first elected in the 15th Congress up to the present-day 17th Congress, providing substantial contribution to the Filipino people as part of the crucial and relevant partylist system.[13]

Republic Act (RA) 10692 Modernization Of The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical And Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
RA 10687 Comprehensive And Unified Student Financial Assistance System For Tertiary (College) Education
RA 10691 Amending the “Public Employment Service Office Act"
RA 10679 Promoting Entrepreneurship And Financial Education Among Filipino Youth
RA 10668 Allowing Foreign Vessels To Transport And Co-Load Foreign Cargoes For Domestic Transshipment
RA 10667 Prohibiting Anti-Competitive Agreements, Abuse Of Dominant Position And Anti-Competitive Mergers And Acquisitions, as well as Establishing The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC)
RA 10660 Strengthening Further The Functional And Structural Organization Of The SANDIGANBAYAN
RA 10654 To Prevent, Deter And Eliminate Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing
RA 10638 Extending The Corporate Life Of The Philippine National Railways For Another Fifty (50) Years
RA 10648 Providing Scholarship Grants To Top Graduates Of All Public High Schools In State Universities And Colleges
RA 10649 Increasing The Burial Assistance For Veterans From Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) To Twenty Thousand Pesos (Php 20,000.00)
RA 10650 Institutionalizing Open Distance Learning In Levels Of Tertiary (College) Education
RA 10643 Graphic Health Warnings On Tobacco
RA 10642 Consumer Protection In The Purchase Of Brand New Motor Vehicles
RA 10635 Establishing The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)
RA 10575 Strengthening The Bureau Of Corrections (BUCOR)
RA 10532 Institutionalizing The Philippine National Health Research System
RA 10533 Increasing The Number Of Years For Basic (Elementary) Education
RA 10590 Amending the “Overseas Absentee Voting Act"
RA 10620 Toy And Game Safety Labeling
RA 10174 Establishing The People’s Survival Fund
RA 10531 Strengthening The National Electrification Administration
RA 10361 Instituting Policies For The Protection And Welfare Of Domestic Workers
RA 1059 Amending the “Regulation Of The Cutting Of Coconut Trees and its Replenishment Act"
RA 10606 Amending the “National Health Insurance Act"
RA 10351 Restructuring The Excise Tax On Alcohol And Tobacco Products
RA 10627 Requiring All Elementary And Secondary (High School) Schools To Prevent And Address Bullying In Their Institutions
RA 10536 Amending the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines
RA 10623 Amending the “Stabilizing The Prices Of Basic And Prime Commodities During Emergency Situations Act”
RA 10354 Responsible Parenthood And Reproductive Health
RA 10229 Establishing The Catanduanes State University
RA 10150 Extending The Implementation Of The Lifeline Rate in the "Electric Power Industry Reform Act"
RA 10372 Amending the Intellectual Property Code Of The Philippines

References

  1. 1 2 "Ako Bicol is king of party-list groups in 2016". Politiko. 2016-05-16. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  2. 1 2 "Ako Bikol: who we are". Ako Bicol Partylist. 2016-03-13. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  3. 1 2 3 Villegas, Ron (2010-05-29). "Ako Bikol: from obscurity to party-list dominance". Philippine Online Chronicles. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  4. ↑ Balane, Lilita (2010-05-07). "AkoBicol tops SWS party list survey". Newsbreak. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  5. ↑ Balane, Lilita (2010-05-27). "Disqualification filed vs party list frontrunner". Newsbreak. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  6. ↑ Raymund F. Antonio; Leslie Ann G. Aquino (2010-05-31). "27 party-list groups proclaimed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  7. ↑ "Comelec dismisses petition vs AKO Bicol Party-list". Manila Bulletin. 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  8. ↑ Crisostomo, Shiela (2010-07-29). "Comelec dismisses petition vs Ako Bicol". Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  9. ↑ Reyes, Fat (2012-10-10). "Comelec disqualifies Ako Bikol Party-list, 12 others for 2013 polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  10. ↑ Esmaquel, Paterno II (2012-10-10). "Comelec disqualifies top party-list group". Rappler. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  11. ↑ Romero, Purple (2012-11-13). "SC stops disqualification of Ako Bicol, 3 others". Rappler. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  12. ↑ "NATIONAL CANVASS REPORT NO. 10: PARTYLIST - (Page 1) by Ranked". Commission on Elections (Philippines). 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  13. ↑ "Ako Bicol Laws Enacted". 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
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