Dwayne Pelagio

Akbayan party-list will aim for a House seat in 2025 with a familiar face as its frontrunner.

Photo Courtesy of Inquirer.net/Atty. Chel Diokno.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno has been elected by the party-list as its first nominee on Sept 28 for the 2025 midterm elections.

“It is an honor to represent Akbayan and push for its principles and buckle down on protecting the welfare of the Filipino people, upholding our democracy and holding the corrupt accountable,” Diokno said in a social media post.

Diokno explained why he withdrew from the senatorial slate of the Liberal Party alongside former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.

“From the beginning, we carefully examined all possible avenues to best serve our people. After thorough reflection, we determined that running under the party-list system is not only a principled choice but also the most pragmatic path to effectively confront the forces of corruption and injustice,” Diokno said in a statement.

Diokno also said that he will still rally with Akbayan to support the two senatorial candidates.

Current Akbayan representative Percival Cendaña is also elected as the second nominee for the party - meaning that if Akbayan garners enough votes to secure two seats, he will still sit as one of the representatives.

The group returned to the lower chamber after the Supreme Court upheld the Comelec’s decision to cancel the registration of An Waray party-list after its second nominee took an oath in the 16th Congress despite being entitled to only one seat.

Diokno joined Akbayan on Sept 17, in a statement, he said that it is a way to continue the “Diokno legacy” and to advance the fight for human rights.

The Makabayan coalition, which has three seats in the House, is fielding 10 candidates for its senatorial slate so far, including ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general Jerome Adonis and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chair Danilo Ramos.

Labor leaders Leody de Guzman and Luke Espiritu also announced their bid for the senatorial race.