Akbayan Partylist - Davao City

CENDAÑA HITS BATO: 'TAPANG' MO SANA LABAN SA CHINA, ICC

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña slammed Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s threat to slap him, questioning the senator's courage in addressing pressing national issues.

"Mhie, sasapakin daw ako ng isang senador? Ang 'tapang' naman ni koya. Sana ganyan din siya katapang laban sa China sa WPS at sa pagharap sa ICC. O baka naman iiyak na naman siya ng crocodile tears at kakaripas ng takbo, gaya ng pagtakbo niya noon sa hawak niyang paputok?" Cendaña said in a statement on Saturday, February 8.

Dela Rosa previously threatened to slap Cendaña after the latter criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for comparing losing a partner to being impeached.

Cendaña's remarks directly challenged Dela Rosa's record, alluding to the senator's emotional breakdown during a Senate hearing and his stance on key issues such as the West Philippine Sea dispute and the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Favoritism Over Public Welfare: The Political, Economic, and Governance Costs of Davao City's Suspension for INC Rally

The suspension of face-to-face classes and the implementation of a skeleton workforce in Davao City due to the upcoming Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) prayer rally on January 13 has sparked criticism from various sectors. While the move is intended to maintain public order and ensure convenience, its broader implications on education, governance, and the economy deserve critical scrutiny.

1. Disruption to Education and Public Services

The suspension of classes disrupts the continuity of education, especially in a post-pandemic context where many students are still recovering from previous disruptions. This decision sends a concerning message: that public events, even those organized by private entities, can easily take precedence over education, a cornerstone of societal development.

Similarly, mandating a skeleton workforce in government offices compromises the delivery of essential public services. Dabawenyos who depend on these services for various transactions may face delays and inefficiencies, further inconveniencing the general public.

2. Prioritization of a Religious Activity Over Public Interest

While the INC's prayer rally is a legitimate exercise of religious freedom, the prioritization of this event over broader public interests raises questions about equity. This decision sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that large-scale events organized by influential groups can disrupt public life disproportionately. Instead of ensuring balanced accommodations for all sectors, the city government appears to have favored one religious group’s interests at the expense of the wider community.

3. Political Favoritism and the Perception of Bias

The move also raises concerns of political favoritism. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is known for its bloc-voting influence during elections, and this suspension of work and classes may be seen as pandering to the IN

𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞-𝐭𝐨-𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧 13 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐍𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲

In preparation for the upcoming Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) peace rally in Davao City on January 13, the City Government of Davao has issued Proclamation No. 01, Series of 2025. The proclamation suspends face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools and mandates a skeleton workforce in all national and local government offices, including GOCCs.

This measure aims to ensure public order, safety, and the convenience of Dabawenyos as ten (10) major streets within the city's business district will be temporarily closed during the conduct of the peace rally.

Proclamation No. 01 cites Section 16 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 granting the local government unit powers necessary to ensure and support the promotion of health and safety, maintenance of peace and order, and preservation of comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.

Moreover, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Legal Opinion No. 2, series of 2015 states that LGUs can declare work and class suspension to ensure public order and convenience.

On January 7, the City Council also passed Resolution No. 04022-25 requesting City Mayor Sebastian Duterte to issue a skeleton workforce arrangement for the city government employees on January 13 to help ease traffic congestion. During the City Council's deliberation of the road closure ordinance, Iglesia Ni Cristo Minister Erano Estudillo bared that around 300,000 members of the INC will join the event.

Estudillo also confirmed that the preparations for the nationwide peace really has already been done and that this will push through on January 13 whether the permit will be granted or not.

The city government stated that considering the declared number of participants of the rally, it is imperative to take proactive measures to ensure the welfare and safety of both residents and the visitors. In addition, it is duty-bound to safeguard the public and undertake measures to avert any untoward incidents or disasters that may occur during the event.

Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay said that the suspension of work and classes on January 13 will help manage traffic and ensure the convenience of Dabawenyos especially those working or studying within the event areas.

"INC said that the event will push through, rain or shine. We expect over 300,000 participants on Monday coming into the city and converging within the downtown area, which will result to traffic and congestion. While we have a full traffic and security plan in place, the suspension of work and classes will be helpful. We can avoid inconvenience among students and employees in the city. This will also allow us to focus on the security of the people directly participating in the rally," Sumagaysay said

Meanwhile, the city government also encourages private offices and establishments in the areas affected by the peace rally to suspend work or adopt work-from-home arrangements for the convenience of their employees. CIO

CONGRESS SWEARS IN AKBAYAN IN HISTORIC COMEBACK

Akbayan Party on Wednesday took its oath of office before the House of Representatives marking its return to Congress after a five year absence. Incoming Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña said that this marks a historic comeback for the progressive political party. He said that Akbayan's return to Congress makes it the only democratic left and progressive group to successfully bounce back from a party-list electoral defeat.

“Kinikilala namin ang makasaysayang pagbabalik ng Akbayan sa Kongreso lalo na’t mahirap ang pinagdaanan natin at ng iba pang demokratiko at progresibong grupo sa party-list. Bagama’t marami ang nagsumikap makabalik, Akbayan lang ang pinalad na manalo at makabalik sa Kongreso. Lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa aming mga botante, miyembro, supporters, at mga kaalyadong grupo sa aming pagkapanalo," Cendaña said.

Cendaña said that Akbayan’s return to Congress is also historically significant since it would make the political party the longest serving party-list organization that will sit since it won in the first party-list election in 1998.

‘Humanda na ang mga Duterte’

Cendaña said that Akbayan will add its voice in Congress in holding human rights abusers accountable to the people. He particularly zeroed in on the embattled Duterte dynasty.

"Akbayan will hold those who have committed human rights violations and plundered the public coffers, especially those from the previous administration, accountable for their crimes. We will not allow the wanton abuse of our rights and democratic institutions to go unpunished. Humanda na ang mga Duterte, ang kanilang mga kapanalig, at lahat ng mga abusado at kurakot!” he said.

Akbayan’s first nominee Perci Cendaña is a former National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner. Prior to serving in government, he was a leader in the student movement and in the LGBTQI community. He is the first openly gay man to serve as chairperson of the University of the Philippines – Diliman Student Council. He is also a known champion of the SOGIE Equality Bill. Akbayan’s more than two decades in the House of Representatives have resulted in numerous landmark laws such as the Cheaper Medicines Act, the Safe Spaces Act, CARPER Act, and the SK Reform Law. #

Congratulations sa ating lahat mga Ka-Akbayan✊✊

AKBAYAN SLAMS VP SARA'S SILENCE AMID CHINA'S ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Akbayan Party, represented by its President Rafaela David, today slammed the conspicuous silence of Vice President Sara Duterte amid the escalating violent attacks of China against Filipino frontliners in the West Philippine Sea. Particularly alarming is China's latest act of aggression: a violent water cannon attack against a Philippine supply vessel near Ayungin Shoal last Saturday, which resulted in the injury of several Filipino frontliners.

Akbayan, also the democratic socialist political party of Senator Risa Hontiveros, underscored Duterte's active defense of doomsday evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, who faces accusations of sexual offenses, juxtaposed with her extreme silence on China's egregious abuses against Filipino fishers and frontliners.

"It's bewildering how Vice President Duterte can find the time and energy to defend a disgraced figure like Quiboloy, yet remains eerily silent when our own countrymen and women are under attack by a foreign aggressor. Is her allegiance to justice selective, or does she simply lack the courage to stand up to China? Either way, it is despicable," David said.

"Talaga bang kontrabida na ang napiling papel ng mga Duterte sa ating bansa? Sadya bang 'made in China' ang puso ni VP Sara? Kaya niyang ipagtanggol ang isang akusadong ra**st at human trafficker, ngunit p**i, bulag at bingi siya sa pang-aapi na dinadanas ng ating mga kababayan sa kamay ng Tsina sa West Philippine Sea," David asserted.

Akbayan challenged Duterte to break her silence and take a stand against China's violations of Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The Filipino people need real leaders, not traitors. The deafening silence of Vice President Duterte speaks volumes about her priorities. While she rushes to the defense of the morally questionable, she turns a blind eye to the plight of Filipinos facing aggression in our own waters. It's time for VP Sara to show some courage and defend our sovereignty, rather than seeking refuge in a traitorous silence that betrays the trust of the Filipino people," David said