Bayan Muna gears for Congress comeback, presents veteran lawmakers as top nominees
Once the country’s leading partylist, Bayan Muna vows a comeback amid attacks, electoral fraud and the proliferation of “fake partylists” by political dynasties.
Bayan Muna held its 10th national convention and 25th anniversary celebrations in Quezon City today, September 26, announcing veteran lawmakers as its top nominees.
Former representatives Neri Colmenares, Carlos Ysagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat as well as topnotch human rights lawyer and former student leader Kristina Conti were unanimously affirmed by the convention as Bayan Muna’s first five nominees in the 2025 national elections.
The topnotcher in the 2001 national elections and co-topnotcher in the 2019 partylist elections, Bayan Muna has fielded the most number of representatives in Congress with ten.
Colmenares, Zarate, Teodoro Casino, and Satur Ocampo were full (three)-term congressmen while Cullamat, Liza Maza, Siegfred Deduro, Joel Virador and Crispin Beltran each served single three year terms.
Maza transferred to Gabriela Women’s Party and Beltran transferred to Anakpawis partylists in 2004. Both won seats in the 13th Congress of the Philippines.
Beltran however died from an accident in 2008 while Virador died due to cancer in 2019.
For the first time in eight elections, Bayan Muna failed to win due to intense red-tagging and military operations in its traditional bailiwicks: marginalized communities.
Bayan Muna however gears for a comeback on the strength of its sterling record of numerous pro-people legislation, genuine opposition to anti-people administrations, and honest public record.
“Bayan Muna representatives left Congress as we entered it. We are not corrupt,” Colmenares said.
He called on the electorate to consider a protest vote by choosing Bayan Muna, vowing to continue the fight against high utility and oil prices as well as advancing a PHP12,000 minimum monthly wage for workers all over the country and PHP33,000 monthly salary for public sector employees.
Colmenares rallied party members, saying they are against even more fake partylists that resort to electoral fraud and vote buying, on top of stepped up attacks from the military.
“We must campaign as we’ve never campaigned before. There is no tomorrow for us. If we fail to win next year, Bayan Muna ends in 2025,” he said.
Bayan Muna’s convention also honored its 198 martyrs and heroes, many of whom were killed by the military.
“We are now even more resolute in honoring our nearly 200 heroes and martyrs by channeling their spirit to fight for genuine change and ensure our survival and resurgence in the political arena,” Colmenares added.
In an earlier press conference, Bayan Muna said it would support impeachment efforts against Vice President Sara Duterte due to reported graft and betrayal of public trust. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
