Ahead of the President’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno launched the group’s “Pag Mahal Mo” People’s Agenda, a policy roadmap centered on uplifting Filipino youth, strengthening families, and protecting the nation’s democratic institutions. 

Akbayan emphasized that genuine love for the country must be shown through action and policy — not rhetoric. 

“Ang tunay na pagmamahal ay ipinapakita sa gawa. Hindi sapat ang matatamis na salita, kailangan ng taumbayan  ang kongkretong mga programang tunay na makatutulong sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay,” Diokno said. 

According to Diokno, Akbayan’s proposed legislation on Filipino families’ welfare include the Magna Carta of Children, which guarantees the full protection of every Filipino child’s rights, and the Baon is Essential Bill, which provides P5,000 monthly allowance for college students from the poorest households to help with expenses and stop them from dropping out. 

The group is also pushing for the P200 wage hike for all workers and the Expanded Universal Social Pension, which adds P1,500 to the elderly’s monthly pension.

Also included in the partylist’s agenda is the Right to Care Bill, which empowers LGBTQIA+ couples to make medical decisions for each other in emergencies. 

As a means to strengthen communities, Diokno said Akbayan is championing the passage of the Kontra E-Sugal Bill, Solidarity Tax Bill, Amendments to the Safe Spaces Act, Internally Displaced Peoples Bill, and the SOGIE Equality Bill. 

They have also filed a package of West Philippine Sea bills to assert the country’s sovereignty and reject China’s interference in its affairs. It is also pushing for transparency in bicameral committee deliberations, the Water Crisis Bill, and the National Land Use Bill. 

Akbayan has also initiated the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to hold her accountable for alleged corruption, betrayal of public trust, drug war killings, and the erosion of democratic institutions. 

“These legislative proposals are love made real. They reflect the kind of future we can build together. I know we’re all excited to buckle down and get to work. It may be challenging, but it will be fulfilling,” Diokno said. 

Alongside the launch, Akbayan gave President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. an “incomplete” grade for his administration’s failure to deliver on key issues, particularly in addressing human rights violations and improving conditions for Filipino workers. 

“The Marcos administration has fallen short in upholding and advancing human rights in the country. Abuses against human rights defenders, media practitioners, and civil society organizations remain widespread,” Diokno added. 

The human rights lawyer cited a report by United Nations special rapporteur Irene Khan, who said the Marcos administration should undertake fundamental and sustained reforms to address deep-rooted human rights problems in the country. 

“President Marcos can redeem himself by certifying as urgent in his SONA human rights-related proposals. If he can do that, we will be more than willing to give him a passing grade,” he said. 

Diokno also called out the Marcos administration’s inadequate response in raising the standard of living for many Filipinos, particularly citing its indifference towards supporting the P200 minimum wage hike bill submitted by Akbayan. 

“Sa ngayon, ‘INC’ o ‘incomplete’ ang grado namin sa pangulo pero puwede pa siyang  bumawi at makapasa kung susuportahan niya at ise-certify bilang urgent ang P200 wage hike bill,” Diokno stressed.

Diokno also called on the President to exercise political will in ending contractualization to ensure job security for workers. 

In addition, Akbayan raised  concern over the worsening conditions of women and children during disasters, highlighting the urgent need for the Bakwit Welfare Bill, which seeks to ensure dignified, rights-based treatment for evacuees.

“Ang mga nanay at mga bata ang lubhang kawawa sa mga evacuation centers sa panahon ng sakuna. Paano pa sila magiging ilaw at haligi ng tahanan kung tinatangay na ng baha ang kanilang mga bahay? Siguraduhin dapat ng Pangulo na maisabatas agad ang Bakwit Welfare Bill dahil kahit ang mga bakwit ay may karapatan din,” Rep. Dadah Ismula said. 

“Hindi na uubra ang pa-PR lang ngayon na nasa midterms na. Kailangan ng konkretong solusyon at aksyon para sa mga kababaihan mula sa Pangulo ngayong SONA,” Ismula added.