Progressive and patriotic political parties under the Makabayan coalition will field a full 12-person slate in next years Senatorial elections. Makabayan is a political coalition of eight Philippine progressive parties, including Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, ACT Teachers, and Kabataan.
In a press conference last July 11, 2024, the Makabayan coalition announced it will field candidates who represent the interest of the workers, peasants, women, youth, fisherfolk, indigenous people and other sectors deprived of a voice in the Philippine legislature.
They stressed that they are the national democratic people’s opposition not only to the dominant and rotten political parties of Marcos and Duterte, but also as opposition to the rotten political and economic system in the country.
Makabayan declared: “In the significant fight in the 2025 election, Makabayan is ready to field not just one, or two senators but a whole slate of patriotic and progressive candidates who will promote a comprehensive national-democratic program that will meet the aspirations of the Filipino people for development for the all, respect for rights, and full national sovereignty.”
“At a time when the people need a genuine Opposition that will present a real alternative to change, we are ready to assume this role,” Makabayan said.
They added that the Marcoses and Dutertes are the same, and pursue only their personal interests. They further said that they are ready to work with individual candidates who advocate genuine land reform, wage increases, national industrialization, strengthening national sovereignty, defending human rights, fighting corruption and promoting peace talks.
It announced that among its initial candidates are its incumbent members of the House of Representatives, Rep. France Castro of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers partylist, and Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela partylist.
The coalition currently has three incumbent lawmakers at the House of Representatives (lower house).
The progressives and their political parties have always been targeted by the reactionaries and fascists – from downright cheating, black propaganda, black operations and legal and political persecution and threats. Their electoral mass base has been subject to open fascist repression.
A day after the coalition announced it is fielding candidates in the elections next year, a local court in southern Philippines convicted two Makabayan leaders, namely former congressman Satur Ocampo, incumbent congresswoman France Castro, together with 14 others of child abuse. The case stemmed from a case filed against them in November 2018 wherein they, upon the request of the students and teachers, rescued the latter from the continued harassment of the Lumad schools by military and paramilitary forces in Talaingod, Davao del Norte in southern Philippines.
Ocampo and Castro, together with the Makabayan coalition and other democratic organizations, denounced the court’s decision as unacceptable and unjust. They stressed that the wrongful conviction speaks of the continuing persecution of those who are helping and advocating for the rights of Lumad children and the persistent attacks on Lumad schools and communities.
In a statement, CPP chief information officer, Marco Valbuena, said the unjust guilty verdict against Rep. Castro and former Rep. Ocampo and several other individuals, is a direct attack of the fascist US-Marcos regime against the democratic and patriotic forces of the Filipino people.
