Aksyon Demokratiko | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Isko Moreno[1] |
| Chairman | Ernest Ramel Jr. |
| Secretary General | Leon Flores III |
| Founder | Raul Roco |
| Founded | 1997 (1997) |
| Split from | LDP |
| Headquarters | 3rd Floor, 62Tomas Morato Avenue,Quezon City |
| Newspaper | Aksyon |
| Youth wing | Aksyon Kabataan |
| Sectoral organization | Aksyon Dapat |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre[4] tocentre-left[2] |
| National affiliation |
|
| Colors | |
| Senate | 0 / 24 |
| House of Representatives | 1 / 317 |
| Provincial Governors | 1 / 82 |
| Provincial Vice Governors | 1 / 82 |
| Provincial Board Members | 10 / 840 |
Aksyon Demokratiko ([ʔɐkˌʃondɛ.moˌkɾaː.tɪˈxo],lit. 'Democratic Action'), or simplyAksyon, is apolitical party in thePhilippines founded byRaul Roco. It was recognized as a national political party in 1998 by theCommission on Elections (COMELEC) and is considered to be one of the major parties in the Philippines.[2]Manila MayorIsko Moreno currently acts as president of the party.
SenatorRaul Roco resigned fromLDP to formAksyon Demokratiko for his plans for running in the1998 presidential elections.[5][6] He chose peace negotiatorIrene Santiago as his vice-presidential candidate. However, both lost to then Vice PresidentJoseph Estrada and then-SenatorGloria Macapagal Arroyo.[7]
Aksyon joined thePeople Power Coalition,[8] with economist and formerNEDA Director GeneralWinnie Monsod as one of its senatorial candidates from Aksyon in2001 senatorial elections. Monsod campaigned for IT-ready teachers,[9] and solving Mindanao issues,[10] but she lost the election.[11]
In2004, Rocosought the presidency for a second time with former Tarlac CongressmanHermie Aquino as his running-mate. They forged an alliance withRene de Villa'sPartido Reporma, andLito Osmeña'sPROMDI (both of them are Roco's opponent in 1998) to form theirAlyansa ng Pag-asa slate[12] (originally called asAlyansa ng Bayan).
During their December 1 convention, Aksyon nominated 19 personalities for their senatorial ticket:Rene de Villa, de Villa's former running mateOscar Orbos, SenatorRodolfo Biazon, former Transportation and Communications secretaries Josie Lichauco, former Pasay Congresswoman Lorna Verano-Yap, former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor, Police Chief Superintendent Romeo Maganto, former assemblyman Emil Ong, former solicitor generalFrank Chavez, bowling championBong Coo, retired Gen. Rodolfo Gutang, Lanao del Sur Congressman Dimaporo Ramos, Sulu Congressman Arden Anni, Misamis Oriental Congressman Oscar Moreno, economist and their 2001 senatorial candidate Monsod, broadcastersPia Cayetano, TV personalityJay Sonza and Melanio "Batas" Mauricio, andChristy Ramos, daughter of former PresidentFidel Ramos.[13]
But their final senate slate was reduced to only seven candidates with Coo,[14] Nicanor Gatmaytan Jr., Nueva Ecija politicianEduardo Nonato Joson, Mauricio, Sonza, and former bureaucratPerfecto Yasay selected in the slate, with the inclusion of Chavez from Reporma.[15] Former DOH official Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan served as campaign manager.[16]
Ano ang inilalaban natin? Karangalan para sa Pilipino.
[What are we fighting for? Honor for the Filipino people.]
Roco performed second to third in pre-election surveys but he had needed to leave for the United States for prostate cancer treatment. Despite a decrease in support because of his recurring illness, Roco insisted that he will not resign from candidacy.[15][17] Also, the party feared vote buying initiated by President Arroyo'sLakas–CMD.[18]
Roco and the whole Alyansa lost the election, but he later called out Arroyo about hercontroversial election victory.[19][20] In August 2005, Roco died at the age of 63.[6]
Aksyon aligned with theGenuine Opposition (GO), the opposition against President Arroyo, Roco's former opponent in 2004 elections.Sonia Roco, Raul Roco's widow,ran for Senate in 2007 but lost.[21]
In 2009, Aksyon joined a coalition formation with Reporma, and Kilusang Bagong Lipunan and called it "Coalition for the Deserving" in preparation for 2010 elections led by Efraim Genuino, member ofBigkis Pinoy Movement and PAGCOR chairman.[22] But after the launch, then-Aksyon's Secretary GeneralJay Sonza and Reporma disowned the coalition, saying that party leaders were not consulted, as Bigkis Pinoy is raiding other political parties for still unknown reasons without their consultation.[23][24]
In2010, the party signed a coalition agreement with theLiberal Party in order to jointly field then SenatorBenigno Aquino III forpresident.[25] Now-party Chairwoman Sonia Roco was added in the senatorial slate of Senator Aquino's campaign.[26]
For the2016 Philippine general election, the party fielded national and local candidates throughout the Philippines including lawyerLorna Kapunan andTIEZACOOMark Lapid. It was aligned with thecandidacy ofGrace Poe,[27] with Kapunan tapped into Poe'sPartido Galing at Puso.[28] Aksyon also supported Poe' candicacy for president.[29]
The party's standard bearer for the2019 senatorial elections was formerSolicitor GeneralFlorin Hilbay, who joinedOtso Diretso.[30] Prominent local government candidates of the party during the2019 elections includedVico Sotto andRoman Romulo,who ran as mayor and representative ofPasig respectively, and Marielle del Rosario as representative ofNavotas.[31]
After the declaration ofPing Lacson andTito Sotto for declaringtheir campaign to run for president and vice president respectively, they discussed with Aksyon's top officials and Vico Sotto for possible coalition.[32][33]
In 2021, Aksyon named then-ManilaMayorIsko Moreno Domagoso, who just joined the party from theNational Unity Party, as its new party president ahead of the2022 Philippine presidential election.[1] New notable party members that would follow included 2019 senatorial candidatesWillie Ong,Samira Gutoc,Caloocan 2nd district representativeEdgar Erice[34][35] and former Vice PresidentNoli de Castro.[36] Ong was selected by Moreno as his running mate, with Gutoc, educatorCarl Balita, and formerIpaglaban Mo! hostJopet Sison as its senatorial slate members. The nomination was skipped by Vico Sotto due to his commitments at city of Pasig.[37] Moreno also launched his campaign tagline "Bilis Kilos" (Fast Action).[38]
A number of party members expressed disappointment with Aksyon's choices during the 2022 election campaign.[39][40] In October 2021, former Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay resigned from Aksyon Demokratiko "out of ethical considerations," because he chose to support the candidacy of Vice PresidentLeni Robredo instead of that of Domagoso, adding that "We can't afford another narcissistic, gas lighting troll for a president" but without specifically mentioning Domagoso by name. On April 2, 2022, former Aksyon executive director Erdie de los Santos also resigned to support Robredo rather than Domagoso.[40] Olongapo City CouncilorKaye Ann Legaspi, Aksyon's former vice president for youth affairs, led a faction of about a hundred party members expressing disappointment over Domagoso's tactics and saying that he was "damaging" the values that the party's founder Raul Roco had represented.[39][40]
Aksyon, led by its chairman Ernest Ramel, criticized the reports of media against Moreno, stating that its just a sinister attack and fabricating news about defection of supporters to Leni Robredo's camp. He also criticized Legaspi for releasing a letter about their defection with attacks on Moreno.[41]
Despite criticisms Moreno faced from some former Aksyon members including resigned ones, Roco's family, including the party's chairwoman emeritaSonia Roco, and Bobbit Roco, her son and former party president sticked with Moreno's campaign.[42]
Moreno, Ong, and some Aksyon members who ran in the senate all lost, but some in the grassroots level candidates likeIke Ponce (whowon Mayorship of Pateros). In a thanksgiving party, Moreno stated that even they lost, he manifested that Aksyon can be felt "by the people for the next three years in their lives".[43]
In June 2022, immediately after the2022 elections, Executive Vice-President Vico Sotto resigned from the party, saying he believed "recent events have made it apparent that the party is now headed towards a different direction." However, Sotto did not announce the fact of his resignation until five months later, in November 2022.[44]
In July 2024, Duterte critic and former senatorSonny Trillanes joined the party to run for2025 mayoral election inCaloocan,[45][46] with the support fromKiBam and SenatorRisa Hontiveros.[47] Also, party president Moreno was also fielded to return to his former position, themayorship of Manila, against the incumbentHoney Lacuna, who left the party forLakas.[48][49] More new members were sworn into the party ahead of the 2025 elections, including Moreno's sonJoaquin Domagoso,Mocha Uson (a key Duterte ally), former basketball playerPaul Alvarez—who are running forcouncilor of Manila—as well as former Manila representativesCarlo Lopez andAmado Bagatsing.[50][51] Moreno cited that the membership of Trillanes and Uson, as those politicians who did not want any fighting or feud like them are joining Aksyon.[52]
Also, additional new party members include former congressmanPaolo Javier who will run for governor of Antique, Barangay Baclaran chairman Jun Zaide who will seek thepost of mayor of Paranaque,[53] and former Batanes GovernorTelesforo Castillejos who will run for his former post.[54] The other new members hailed from Malabon City, Pasay City and the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Kalinga, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Romblon, Antique,Maguindanao del Sur, Rizal, Misamis Oriental, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, La Union, Bohol, Tarlac, Laguna, Bulacan, and Basilan.[53]
Aksyon won in Manila, as Moreno and Atienza, with the support from Vice PresidentSara Duterte, snapped victory,[55] with 23 city councilors, andJoey Uy, who defeated the incumbentBenny Abante for6th congressman district seat.[56] Party chairman Ramel stated that these victories were a sign that the party will be more stronger to 2028 elections.[57]
Also, inAntique, former Congressman Paolo Javier won as party's gubernatorial bet,[58] Eufemia A. Dacayo snapped victory as Vice Governor of Nueva Vizcaya,[59] and with the congressional victories ofTim Cayton fromNueva Vizcaya,[59] and Dibu Tuan fromSouth Cotabato.[60] But later, Uy disqualified while Dibu Tuan joined Lakas.[61]
AGRI Partylist congressmanWilbert Lee joined Aksyon to run forsenate elections in 2025[62][63] with the party's last election's vice presidential nominee Willie Ong, who is still undergoing treatment in Singapore.[64] Ong was represented by his wife Dra. Liza Ong who also sworn in as member of Aksyon.[65]
But on the start of the campaign season in February both Lee (February 10) and Ong (February 13) withdrawn their candidacy. Lee stated that he will not continue to campaign after meeting co-members at AGRI,[66][67] and the lack of machinery,[68] while Ong will focus on health recovery.[69][70]
Magbago! (Change!)Makialam! (Participate!)Sulong sa Bagong Pilipinas! (Forward to a New Philippines!) are the party's slogans. Aksyon is rooted inRaul Roco'sThe Agenda of Hope: honest government; opportunity for all, special privileges for none; peace, productivity and prosperity; education and environment for sustainable development.[13][71]
Aksyon believes that there should be regional solutions to regional problems. Aksyon organizes itself based on the principles of local autonomy. It believes and pushes for the empowerment of the Filipino masses. The party advocates a 'bottom-up' approach in tackling the issues of the country. Aksyon recognizes the importance of the participation of youth in government and therefore actively pushes for the empowerment of the youth.[13]
| Year | Presidential election | Vice presidential election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote share | Result | Candidate | Vote share | Result | |
| 1998 | Raul Roco | 13.38% | Joseph Estrada (LAMMP/PMP) | Irene Santiago | 0.94% | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas) |
| 2004 | Raul Roco | 6.45% | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (Lakas) | Herminio Aquino | 3.24% | Noli de Castro (Independent) |
| 2010 | None[a] | Benigno Aquino III (Liberal) | None | Jejomar Binay (PDP–Laban) | ||
| 2016 | None[b] | Rodrigo Duterte (PDP–Laban) | None | Leni Robredo (Liberal) | ||
| 2022 | Isko Moreno | 3.57% | Bongbong Marcos (Partido Federal) | Willie Ong | 3.57% | Sara Z. Duterte (Lakas) |
| Year | House Seats won | Result | Year | Senate Seats won | Ticket | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 / 258 | Lakas plurality | 1998 | Not participating | LAMMP win 7/12 seats | |
| 2001 | 2 / 256 | Lakas plurality | 2001 | 1 / 13 | People Power | People Powerwin 8/13 seats |
| 2004 | 2 / 261 | Lakas plurality | 2004 | 0 / 12 | Alyansa ng Pag-asa | K4 win 7/12 seats |
| 2007 | Not participating | Lakas plurality | 2007 | 0 / 12 | Genuine Opposition | Genuine Oppositionwin 8/12 seats |
| 2010 | 0 / 286 | Lakas plurality | 2010 | Not participating | Liberal win 4/12 seats | |
| 2013 | 0 / 292 | Liberal plurality | 2013 | Not participating | Team PNoy win 9/12 seats | |
| 2016 | 1 / 297 | Liberal plurality | 2016 | 0 / 12 | Split ticket | Daang Matuwid win 7/12 seats |
| 2019 | 1 / 304 | PDP–Laban plurality | 2019 | 0 / 12 | Otso Diretso | Hugpong win 9/12 seats |
| 2022 | 3 / 304 | PDP–Laban plurality | 2022 | 0 / 12 | Team Bilis Kilos | UniTeam win 6/12 seats |
| 2025 | 3 / 317 | Lakas plurality | 2025 | Not participating[c] | Alyansa win 6/12 seats | |
| Election | Provincial Governor | Provincial Vice Governor | Provincial Legislature | HUCs /ICCs Mayor | HUCs /ICCs Vice Mayor | HUCs /ICCs legislature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 / 81 | 3 / 81 | 17 / 782 | 3 / 38 | 5 / 38 | 16 / 530 |
| 2025 | 1 / 82 | 1 / 82 | 7 / 840 | 1 / 40 | 1 / 40 | 27 / 540 |
The following are the oath taken by new members:
Ako si (pangalan), mula sa (distrito / municipalidad / lungsod / probinsya), ay taimtim na nanunumpa bilang kasapi ng Aksyon Demokratiko. Buong loob kong isusulong ang mga prinsipyo ng Aksyon upang makamit ang isang progresibo, inklusibo, at masaganang bayan na may malinis at epektibong pamahalaan, nagmamalasakit sa bawat Pilipino. Patuloy akong maniniwala sa likas na galing, lakas, at pagkamalikhain ng Pilipino. Ako'y magiging lider na nagsusulong ng mga pagbabago, nagpapaginhawa sa aking kapwa, at makapagbigay-boses, at kaunlaran sa mga nangangailangan. Handa akong magmulat, mas handa akong umaksyon para sa demokrasya, para sa bayan. [Kasihan nawa ako ng Diyos.]
| Chairperson | Term start | Term end | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaime Galvez–Tan | 1997[13] | 2005 | |
| Cho Roco | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Sonia Roco | 2006 | 2013 | |
| Herminio Aquino | 2013 | July 31, 2021 | |
| Ernest Ramel | August 12, 2021 | present | |
| President | Term start | Term end | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Raul Roco | 1997 | August 5, 2005 |
.jpg) | Herminio Aquino | 2005 | 2009 |
| Jaime Galvez-Tan | 2009 | 2013 | |
| Robbie Pierre "Bobbit" Roco | 2013[74] | August 12, 2021 | |
.jpg) | Isko Moreno Domagoso | August 12, 2021 | present |
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