After twenty years of dictatorship under the Marcos regime, formal democracy in the Philippines was restored in 1986 through a broad "people power" movement. The Akbayan Party feels that 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. The party seeks to rally social movements, trade union groups, and political organizations to challenge state policies through lobbying and pressure politics. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Dictatorship. ... Ferdinand Edralín Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was the tenth president of the Philippines, serving from 1965 to 1986. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... American Civil Rights Movement is one of the most famous social movements of the 20th century. ... A union (labor union in American English; trade union, sometimes trades union, in British English; either labour union or trade union in Canadian English) is a legal entity consisting of employees or workers having a common interest, such as all the assembly workers for one employer, or all the workers... Lobbying is the practice of private advocacy with the goal of influencing a governing body by promoting a point of view that is conducive to an individuals or organizations goals. ...

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.

A series of consultations on the party-building project began in early 1994. Nationwide, pro-democracy groups were enjoined to assist shape the party concept and strategy. Aspirations of various sectors and organizations (labor, peasants, youth, women, gay 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 launched through its Founding National Congress. In May of the same year, the 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 in the regions. 1994 (MCMXCIV in Roman) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... In a detail of Brueghels Land of Cockaigne (1567) a soft-boiled egg has little feet to rush to the luxuriating peasant who catches drops of honey on his tongue, while roast pigs roam wild: the 16th century was a good time for European peasants A peasant, from 15th... Popular use of the word youth refers to a person who is neither an adult nor a child, but somewhere in between, scientifically referred to as an adolescent and, in the United States, commonly referred to as a teen or teenager. ... Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... In modern society, gay is a word which can be used as either a noun or adjective. ... Lesbian describes a homosexual woman. ... A professional does an activity to receive payment for an act (as a profession), which usually requires expertise and carries with it socially significant mores and folkways. ... A boy from an East Cipinang trash dump slum in Jakarta, Indonesia shows his find. ... Map of the Philippines showing the island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. ... Map of the Philippines showing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao Visayas is one of the three island groupings in the Philippines along with Luzon and Mindanao. ... Map of the Philippines showing the island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

To date, Akbayan vigorously extend its effort from the Philippine progressive community to break the hold of traditional politicians and political parties on Philippine politics. This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... A politician is an individual involved in politics, sometimes this may include political scientists. ... A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ...

The colors of the Akbayan Citizens' Action Party are red, green, and purple. Red is any of a number of similar colors at the lowest frequencies of light discernible by the human eye. ... Green is any of a number of similar colors. ... Chromaticity diagram. ...

Program and Political Agenda

Akbayan is envisioned to be a major vehicle for the projection and pursuit of a progressive reform agenda which has, thus far, been bypassed and neglected by the Philippine government.

Akbayan primarily stands for program-based politics. It seeks to transform the dominant practice of personality-and-patronage-based politics. It aims to break the tradition of deal making between and among politicians, and replace it with more participatory and rational decision-making.

In Akbayan's analysis, public welfare has been undermined by members of the elite who join government to further vested economic interests. It is Akbayan's hope that through citizens' participation in policy-making, the country's economic environment would become accessible to the general population. Akabayan also seeks to engage government for better social policies that would include redistributive reforms, delivery of basic services and appropriate safety nets. In terms of a co-operative this means how much the services of the co-op are used. ... There are three main interpretations of the idea of a welfare state: the provision of welfare services by the state. ...

Moreover, Akbayan seeks to contribute to the development of a political party system that is based on programs and accountabilities, and not on political opportunism. It envisions a political culture where citizens are genuinely aware, responsive and free.

Objectives

In pursuit of its main goal of instituting greater participation in public decision-making, Akbayan states the following as their main objectives as a party:

• Governance. To fully understand the workings of government, particularly at the local executive level, for the maximum benefit of ordinary citizens.

• Electoral Exercises. To engage in elections at every possible level possible so as to secure public office in the pursuit of its governance objective, as well as to utilize elections as a means of conscientization.

• Advocacy. To contribute to, and help sustain, the broad-based effort to bring the concerns of marginalized sectors into the agenda of both the government and the general public.

• Reform. To institute political and electoral reforms with the end in view of making government more accessible, genuinely accountable and truly responsive to the people.

Organizational Structure

Akbayan's organizational structure is guided by the principle of internal democracy. 30% of all leadership positions at every level is reserved for women. The basic unit is the Chapter, organized at the barangay level with a minimum of twelve (12) members. A minimum of six (6) Chapters comprise a Section, which is organized at the Municipal, City or Sitio level. A minimum of three (3) Sections comprise a Division, which is organized at the Provincial, Highly-Urbanized City or Legislative District Level. A minimum of three (3) Divisions comprise an Assembly, which is organized at the Regional level. A National Congress which is the highest governing and policy-making body and convenes every three years. A National Political Council which is the second-highest governing body consisting of delegates elected by the Party's island groupings: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. An Executive Committee tasked with implementing Congress and Council decisions. National Committees to assist the Executive Committee: Finance, Education, Legislative, International, Public Information, Women, Policies and Issues. A National Secretariat to manage day-to-day affairs.

External link

• Official website