Party-list groups Buhay, Bayan Muna seek House comebacks

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza is attempting a return to Congress as the first nominee of Buhay Party-list for Eleksyon 2025.

Atienza filed his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Law Department Offsite Working Area in Manila City at around 12 p.m. He was accompanied by his colleagues at the party-list organization.

"I, personally, am very excited to rejoin the political ring knowing very well what we can do to help shape our future as a nation," said Atienza.

"Maraming nangyayari in the past three years while I am out of the Congress, which I do not agree. Many of you know the positions of Buhay party-list. We are pro-life, we are against any threat to life, family, marriage, children, because we believe that all of us were created for a purpose. Walang dapat binabalewala na buhay,"  the former mayor said.

(During the last three years that I was out of Congress, a lot of incidents happened that I do not agree with. Many of you know the positions of Buhay party-list. We are pro-life, we are against any threat to life, family, marriage, children, because we believe all of us were created for a purpose.)

The party-list failed to secure seats in the House of Representatives in the 2022 elections. Should they win, Atienza vowed to fight the Divorce Bill and push for pro-life legislation in Congress.

"Divorce is anti-life, but the worst anti-life measure already forming in the Philippine Congress is abortion. If any one of you believes in abortion, then you will not agree with me because I am, and the whole Buhay party-list will fight it tooth and nail. If we make it, abortion will not make it," he said.

Bayan Muna

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna is also seeking a congressional comeback as it fields human rights lawmaker and former representative Neri Colmenares as its first nominee.

BAYAN Muna party-lists seeks Congressional comeback as it filed its candidacy for #Eleksyon2025. Ex-Rep. Neri Colmenares, its first nominee, vowed to fight corruption, reduce costs of essential goods and services and to push for P1,200 daily minimum wage. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/fARGNdQBoQ

— Sundy Locus ???????? (@sundylocus_) October 1, 2024

Former congressman Carlos Isagani Zarate was named the second nominee, while the third nominee is Ferdinand Gaite.

Colmenares vowed to fight corruption, reduce the cost of essential goods, and services, as well as to push for the increasing of daily minimum wage to P1,200 for their campaign.

"Ang maipagmamalaki namin sa Bayan Muna, hindi namin sinasanto ang kurakot. Kahit presidente ka pa ng Pilipinas, kapag nangurakot ka wala kaming problema na birahin ka, wala kaming problema na ipa-impeach ka. Basta corrupt ka, lagot ka sa Bayan Muna," said Colmenares.

(What we’re proud of is that we do not spare anybody who is corrupt. Even if it's the president of the Philippines, when you steal, we have no qualms about seeking your impeachment. As long as you're corrupt, you will face the ire of Bayan Muna.)

Bayan Muna was part of the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives before losing their bid in the 2022 elections.

In May 2022, Zarate attributed their unsuccesful reelection bid to alleged massive red-tagging and a supposed disinformation campaign against them.

'Not the proper venue'

Meanwhile, tensions broke out between the police and some members of the Bayan Muna Party-list who staged a protest action in front of the Manila Hotel where the Comelec Law Department set up its offsite working area.

The protesters were told that they were not at a proper venue to hold their program.

Tension breaks out between the police and some members of the Bayan Muna Party-list during its protest in front of the Manila Hotel after the police attempts to stop their program.

The tension is resolved after some talks and Bayan Muna finished their program. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/tKXDuqmZ0k

— Celine (@celine_serquina) October 1, 2024

According to Ermita Police Station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Estabillo, protesters and supporters of politicians, political parties, and party-list groups have a designated place in the area where they can hold their programs.

"Itong area na pong ito, bawal po dito (in front of Manila Hotel) kasi makakaabala po sila dito. Doon (Quirino Grandstand) na po sila," Estabillo said.

(They cannot hold programs here in front of Manila Hotel because they will inconvenience other people. They can do their protests at the Quirino Grandstand instead.)

Bayan Muna members soon wrapped up their protest action. — with a report from Celine Serquiña/ VDV, GMA Integrated News