Chel Diokno now officially a member of Akbayan Party

Human rights advocate Chel Diokno (4th from left) officially becomes a member of Akbayan Party on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 through an oath-taking ceremony officiated by Senator Risa Hontiveros (4th from right). —Photo from Akbayan Party/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno took his oath on Tuesday as a member of Akbayan Party ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Diokno was sworn in by Senator Risa Hontiveros, who also hails from the same party. The human rights advocate previously bared his intent to run for a senatorial post in the 2025 polls.

“Ngayon araw, opisyal akong sumali sa Akbayan Party, isang mahalagang hakbang para palasakin ang ating laban para sa karapatang pantao. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa Akbayan sa kanilang pagtanggap at kay Senator Risa Hontiveros, kasama nina Rafaela David at Etta Rosales, sa pangunguna ng aking panunumpa (Today, I officially joined the Akbayan Party, an important step to strengthen our fight for human rights. I am grateful to Akbayan for their warm welcome and to Senator Risa Hontiveros, along with Rafaela David and Etta Rosales, for officiating my oath-taking.),” Diokno said in a Facebook post.

READ: Akbayan seeks to field Senate bets to boost opposition headcount

“This alliance will give way for me to continue the Diokno legacy and to advance human rights, along with the progressive advocacies of Akbayan. Also, thank you to Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) for their continued support,” Diokno added.

READ: Diokno: House can focus on Dela Rosa’s ‘drug war’ memo

Opposition senator Hontiveros said in a statement that the founding of the party 26 years ago was “partly inspired” by Diokno’s father, former senator Jose “Ka Pepe” Diokno.

“Atty. Chel’s decision to join Akbayan brings new energy and inspiration to our efforts in building a stronger opposition and genuine democratic alternative to the entrenched political dynasties in the country,” Hontiveros said.

The two were former senatorial running mates under the slate of former vice president Leni Robredo in the 2022 national elections. Only Hontiveros secured a spot from the opposition.

Diokno, chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group, is also a staunch critic of the war on drugs implemented by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In August, Akbayan President Rafaela David emphasized the need to bring more opposition leaders to the Senate, adding that they will make sure that Hontiveros will not be the sole “democratic opposition” in the Senate.

The party also previously said that they will rally behind Diokno, and former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan who earlier shared that they would run for Senate in the 2025 elections.