Get to know the party-lists (Part 1 of 3)

The Party-list system of election is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives from marginalized or underrepresented national, regional and sectoral parties, or organizations or coalitions thereof registered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

It is part of the electoral process that enables small political parties and marginalized and underrepresented sectors to obtain representation in the House of Representatives, which traditionally is dominated by parties with big political machinery.

Get to know the party-lists running in the 2010 national and local elections. Each voter can choose only one party-list to elect, otherwise, if more than one vote for a party-list was made, the vote for that category would not be counted.

Posted in this series are the party-lists certified by the Commission on Elections and some information about them gathered online.

Party-list groups accredited by the Commission on Elections:

(Editors Note: The sequence and number of partylists in this list may vary from that indicated in the Official Ballot)

1-Aangat Pilipino (1-AK) presents one of its main advocacies as the raising of the level of livelihood of the poor, particularly farmers and fishermen. However, it was recently reported as a group that supports Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
1-AANI representing the farmers and fisherfolks of Aurora. Based on its Facebook, page, 1-AANI is supported by Rep. Sonny Angara.
1-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso (1-ABAA) is a nationwide pro-women sectoral group that aims to protect the rights of separated and abandoned women. It helps empower women through livelihood opportunities. One of its agenda is "to enact laws that would provide access to capital to help women establish small businesses."
1Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines Inc. (1Ganap/Guardians) is a group that teaches the true spirit of Brotherhood: Peace, Unity and Prosperity, according to its web site. Its members profess "love of God, country and fellowmen, while caring for our family and the environment." The group also aims to develop leaders and role models for the Filipino people.
1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE) aims to empower, protect, promote, and advance the consumers' rights in the availment of quality products or services. It represents consumers of electricity, water, telephone, and transportation services.
1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st KABAGIS) a cause-oriented party-list initiated by the Samahang Ilokano (SI), focuses on providing "quality education, poverty alleviation and job generation". Its programs include "livelihood trainings and seminars, job counseling and assistance, youth development trainings, sports activities and anti-drug abuse campaign, and series of countrywide civic actions activities like medical missions, blood donations, relief operations to disaster victims and gift–giving to indigents."
1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) – An incumbent partylist, 1-UTAK’s first nominee, former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is facing disqualification cases before the Comelec. They advocate transport sector issues.
A Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International inc. (A Blessed) no website, no information available.
A Convergence for Mindanao Agenda, Inc. (ACMA) no website, no information available.
Aabante Emmanuel Civic Asscociation (Emmanuel) no website, no relevant data available online.
Aangat Tayo (AT) advocates for health, education, livelihood, environment, elderly, women and youth. The Center for People Empowerment and Governance lists AT as a "government front" or Arroyo-allied party-list.
Abakada Guro (ABAKADA) represents teachers, school workers, parents, students, out-of-school youth, Parents-Teachers Associations, and overseas Filipino workers. Its objectives are posted in its web site while a 12-point program can be found on its Facebook account.
Abang Lingkod Inc. (Abang Lingkod) only has a Facebook fan page account with 98 fans.Youth Pinoy posts a warning about party-list groups that offer the public very few information about themselves.
Abante Bicol Oragon Inc (ABO) no website, no information available.
Abante Ilonggo (Aba Ilonggo) represents "sugar workers who have been displaced by the economic turmoil of the sugar industry." It packages itself as "Ang partido ng Ilonggo para sa lahat ng Pilipino."
Abante Katutubo Inc. (Abante Ka) no website, no information available.
Abante Mindanao (Abamin) "represents the marginalized urban poor, the unrepresented "Lumads" or Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and oppressed victims / affected Muslim-Christian inhabitants due to the war/conflicts in Mindanao." The group aims to assist in acquiring ancestral lands, livelihood, health and education, and ensure their sectors' basic needs.
Abante Tribung Makabansa (ATM) has as constituents "18 ethno-linguistic tribes and 38 sub-tribes of the Indigenous Cultural Communities spread over the majority of the provinces of the 5 regions in Mindanao and 1 province within ARMM." Recently, Katribu Party-list claimed that ATM is a “fake” and “administration-backed” partylist organization.
Abono (ABONO) an incumbent partylist. It pushes for reforms in the agriculture sector and one of its aims is to help eliminate hunger incidence.
Abot-Tanaw (ABOT-TANAW) Listed among the fake partylists. Its first nominee, Gerwyn See is the husband of Sheryl G. See, (nominee of BIDA partylist) and son-in-law of Pagcor chair Efraim Genuino. Its second nominee, Mario Cornista happens to be the chair of the board of directors of Bida, according to their SEC registration submitted in 2003.
Act Teachers (ACT TEACHERS) is a sectoral party of teachers and educational staff. The group offers itself as Tunay na Tinig ng Teachers! (the Real Voice of Teachers!) It supports and fights for the economic rights and welfare of teachers and educational staff; relevant reforms in the educational system; and good governance.
Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (ABROAD) no website, no information available.
Action for Democracy and Development for the Tribal People (ADD TRIBAL) no website, no information available.
Action for Dynamic Development Inc. (ADD) no website, no information available.
Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM) aims "to strengthen and advocate the preservation and enrich Indigenous Culture in the Philippines by engaging the Majority and Mainstream Society in Congress to ensure that Indigenous Culture, Practice, and Tradition will not be marginalized just because of biases."
Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao para sa Lupa, Pabahay, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (AKO BAHAY) no website, no information available.
Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak ng Maharlika (ADAM) is said to be headed by Arroyo ally Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan, according to another partylist.
Adhikaing Alay ng Marino sa Sambayanan Inc. (ALON) aims to make the country a leader in the world's maritime industry through "extensive development and utilization of the country’s strategic maritime location". Its Facebook page has 772 fans.
Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng Kooperatiba (ATING KOOP) is a nation-wide organization advocating the interests of cooperatives. It also has a Facebook page.
Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Education Reform (A TEACHER) an incumbent partylist, it is a "professional national organization of all school administrators, teachers and non-teaching personnel of private educational institutions in the Philippines."
Advocates for Penology Enhancement and Legal Assistance (APELA)
Advocates for Special Children and the Handicapped Movement (ASAHAN MO) aims to advance the welfare of special children and handicapped people. The party-list will tackle limited opportunities, national neglect, and discrimination in order to improve the lives of the special children and handicapped people.
Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Right Alliance (A-IPRA) tagged as a “fake” and “administration-backed” partylist as claimed by Katribu Partylist since A-IPRA was reportedly headed by a commissioner of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1, and former chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), an agency under the Office of the President.
Agbiag Timpuyog Ilokano (AGBIAG) "advocates the agricultural sector and pushes for legislations, reforms, and programs supporting the growth of the local agricultural industry". Election watchdog Kontra Daya claims that Agbiag is one of the many "pseudo" and "Arroyo-backed" partylists.
Agila ng Katutubong Pilipino (AGILA) aims "to alleviate poverty amongst the Filipino indigenous people through education and livelihood provision." The group also plans to fight for ancestral domains, preserve the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples, and campaign for environmental sustainability and responsible tourism.
Agrarian Development Association (ADA) no website, no information available.
Agri-Agra na Reporma para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (AGRI) no website, no information available.
Agricultural Section Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) represents the agricultural sector and "includes all farmers, poultry and livestock raisers, cooperative members and allied industries in its advocacies and in ensuring their rights are protected and positive interests are pursued." AGAP aims to improve the standard of living through food security and fair trade practices and to make the Philippines’ agricultural sector globally competitive.
Ahon Pinoy (AHON) was established to represent seven to eight million overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and their families. CenPEG and Kontra Daya considers Ahon as another admin-backed pseudo-partylist group.
Akap Bata (AKAP BATA) is a progressive sectoral organization that was established in 2008 to advance the welfare of the Filipino youth and people. It figured in a controversy regarding a rehashed political ad of Nacionalista presidential bet Manny Villar.
Akap Kapatiran para sa Tangkilikan ng mga Obrero (AKAP-TAO) no website, no information available.
Akbay Kalusugan, Inc. (AK) no website, no information available.
Akbay Pinoy OFW-National (APOI) "a non-government socio-civic organization founded primarily to support the cause of millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), their families and dependents." The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) accredited Apoi as it is linked with the Sentro ng Manggagawang Pinoy, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. CenPEG and Kontra Daya also considers Apoi as an admin-backed pseudo-partylist group.
Akbayan Citizens Action Party (AKBAYAN), an incumbent partylist, it is a national citizen’s party advocating a "democratic, accountable and participative governance." Youth, women, fisherfolks, farmers, elderly, teachers, gays and lesbians, Muslims and workers comprise the party-list group.
Ako Agila sa Nagkakaisang Magsasaka (AKO AGILA) no website, no information available.
Ako Ayoko sa Bawal na Droga (AKO) its primary objective is to educate the youth about the ill-effects and legal consequences of illegal drugs and its abuse. “AKO reaffirms that illegal drugs are unacceptable, envisions a society free from the menace and danger posed by the proliferation of illegal drugs and their precursors, a society free from groups, syndicates and peddlers of illegal drugs."
Ako Bicol Political Party (AKB) based on its web site, it is a loose socio-civic organization and regional group advocating for the "welfare and improvement of lives of Bicolanos in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon."
Aksyon Magsasaka Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM) "aims to safeguard the rights of indigent farmers."
Aksyon ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa (AMANA) no website, no information available.
Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan (ANAKALUSUGAN) is a "health-related organization, its primary advocacy is the promotion and safeguarding of the health of Filipinos. It is running under the “3K” platform: “Kalusugan, Kabuhayan at Kalikasan.” Anakalusugan has a Facebook account.First nominee is Col. Roland E. Kempis, a doctor and Commanding Officer of the AFP Medical Center. Kempis held the position underGilbert Teodoro and Norberto Gonzales, according to the Department of National Defense website.
Alagad (ALAGAD) represents the urban poor sector and aims to alleviate extreme poverty in the Philippines. It envisions the emergence of a ‘pro-poor Republic.’
Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation (ALAY BUHAY) is "dedicated to service with, for and towards the marginalized, allowing them to give life to their aspirations through the realization of the potentials that lie within them."
Alay sa Bayan ng Malayang Propesyunal at Repormang Kalakal (Abay Parak) no website, no information available.