There is scant literature on the history of the Akbayan partylist, but a GMA Network report categorically states that the roots of Akbayan along with its bitter (albeit similarly Left-leaning) rival Bayan Muna “can be traced to the division of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its allies in the 1990s. Akbayan was formed by those who refused to be associated with both factions.”
But did Akbayan renounce its communist roots? According to a report published on the World Socialist Web Site, no.
Akbayan was formed in the wake of the break-up of the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in the early 1990s. Every decision made by Akbayan over the past two decades has born the stamp of its origin. The nationalist, opportunist and class collaborationist politics of Akbayan are the continuation of the Stalinist politics of the CPP. What differences now exist between Akbayan and its Maoist rivals are born out of the contingencies of alliances formed with different sections of the bourgeoisie.
Interestingly, the “official” history of Akbayan as laid out in their “official” website Akbayan.org is mute on the topic of its commie roots.
Anakbayan, for its part, makes no secret about its subordination to the cause of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) as this 2007 report on their rabid support for its founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison shows…
Anakbayan and [the League of Filipino Students (LFS)] both launched ‘Free Joma’ campaigns when Sison was arrested last August 28 by Dutch authorities for allegedly ordering the murder in the Philippines of former CPP leaders Romulo Kintanar in 2003 and Arturo Tabara in 2006.
The CPP, which Sison founded in 1968, and its armed wing, the 6,300-strong New People’s Army, have waged a Maoist rebellion for nearly four decades. Sison has been on self-exile in The Netherlands since 1987.
The youth groups added that they will join other organizations led by the Bagong Alyansang Makbayan (Bayan) in a “victory rally” for Sison’s release later in the day.
The Philippine government, it seems, has never been serious about ridding Filipinos of their country’s communist infestation just like it has never been serious about eradicating corruption, pork barrel politics, nepotism, patronage, and all those other scourges that keep the Philippines impoverished and backward.
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