| Akay National Political Party Ang Katipunan para sa Pag-Angat at Pagyabong ng Bayan Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | AKAY |
| President | Antonio Aurelio |
| Chairperson | Sol Aragones |
| Secretary-General | Donald Castro |
| Founder | Sol Aragones |
| Founded | May 10, 2024; 8 months ago (2024-05-10) |
| Split from | Nacionalista |
| Headquarters | San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines |
| Ideology | Social welfare Inclusive development Grassroots democracy Social justice |
| Political position | Centre to Centre-left |
| Colors | Red |
| Slogan | "Sama-sama para sa Pag-unlad" (Together for Progress) |
The Akay National Political Party, commonly known as AKAY or the Ang Katipunan para sa Pag-Angat at Pagyabong ng Bayan Party (English: The Assembly for National Progress and Development Party), is a Philippine political party founded by former legislator and broadcast journalist Sol Aragones on May 10, 2024. The party evolved from Akay ni Sol, a civic advocacy movement focused on supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalized sectors.
History
Origins as advocacy movement (2022–2024)
Before becoming a political party, AKAY began as "Akay Ni Sol," a civic advocacy movement initially focused on supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs). One of its notable early initiatives was the "Alagang Akay" program, which distributed 200 wheelchairs to PWDs in Laguna in December 2022. The movement gained recognition for its grassroots efforts to address the needs of marginalized sectors, particularly PWDs, and laid the foundation for its eventual transition into a political party.
Transition to political party (2024)
The transformation from advocacy movement to political party was officially announced on May 10, 2024, in Laguna, where Sol Aragones, a native of the province, launched AKAY as a national political party. The launch event highlighted the party's commitment to continuing its advocacy for PWDs and expanding its platform to address broader social and economic issues.
On May 9, 2024, several individuals took their oath as members of AKAY during a mass oath-taking ceremony. Benjamin Magalong, the mayor of Baguio City, attended the event as the guest of honor, underscoring the party's growing influence and support from local leaders.
Ideology
Based on its founding principles and public statements, AKAY positions itself as a party focused on social welfare and inclusive development. The party emerged from a grassroots advocacy movement for PWDs and has expanded its scope to address broader societal issues while maintaining its core commitment to serving marginalized sectors. The party's approach emphasizes equal opportunity and social justice, particularly focusing on underserved communities and vulnerable groups.
Leadership
The party is led by its founder and chairperson, Sol Aragones, a former member of the House of Representatives and veteran broadcast journalist. In discussing the party's mission, Aragones has emphasized its commitment to being an "unwavering ally" for those in need, stating in Filipino, "While there are children struggling with their grades to get education, while patients wait endlessly in hospitals, while joblessness plagues our communities, while PWDs cling to hope, and while there are still believers in change, we will be their unwavering allies."
References
- ^ Zen Trinidad (May 10, 2024). "New political party rises in Laguna". Philippine News Agency.
- Roy Tomandao (May 19, 2024). "Aragones' Akay Ni Sol turns into political party". Manila Standard.
- "Alagang Akay rolls out 200 wheelchairs for PWDs in Laguna". Inquirer.net. December 7, 2022.
- Licinio Trinidad (May 10, 2024). "Laguna native Sol Aragones transforms advocacy into political action with launch of Akay National Political Party".
- "Mass oath-taking marks launch of Akay National Political Party". Politiko. May 9, 2024.
- Zen Trinidad (May 10, 2024). "New political party rises in Laguna". Philippine News Agency.
- Roy Tomandao (May 19, 2024). "Aragones' Akay Ni Sol turns into political party". Manila Standard.
- Licinio Trinidad (May 10, 2024). "Laguna native Sol Aragones transforms advocacy into political action with launch of Akay National Political Party".
