POLITICAL party Aksyon Demokratiko on Thursday confirmed that Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso has been elected as the party’s new president.
Mayor Domagoso was elected during the party’s general membership meeting last Tuesday, August 10, or about two months before the filing of candidacies for the 2022 national elections.
The meeting was attended by party co-founder Sonia Roco, wife of the late senator and party founder Raul Roco, and the party’s Executive Vice-President and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
The party is confident that Mayor Domagoso will be able to lead the party in its thrust to be a unifying force in an atmosphere of heavy political polarization, according to Aksyon Demokratiko’s newly elected Chairperson Ernest Ramel.
“Prior to his membership and eventual election as party President, Aksyon Demokratiko and Mayor Isko had a meeting of minds and hearts in many aspects. We agreed on the COVID-19 response then to providing jobs and livelihood at these times. We also agreed on the rule of law, focusing on education, housing, and health care. Aksyon is proud that Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso was elected Party President,” Ramel stated.
Domagoso, who was the former vice chairman for political affairs of the National Unity Party (NUP), expressed his gratitude to the alliance made in his new political organization.
“It is an honor to be included and elected as the president of a progressive party that has a genuine concern for our countrymen. We held many meetings prior to my official acceptance as a party member and I’m glad that we had so much plans aligned with Asenso Manileño, the local party I belong to. Its basic plan is the promotion of MBN or minimum basic needs: housing program, employment, food, education, and health for our countrymen.“
Mayor Domagoso resigned from his post at the NUP last August 4.
Aside from the Manila Mayor, who is reportedly eyeing to run for the presidency in the 2022 national elections, the party also designated more new officers, following the August 15 deadline by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) on the submission of political parties’ Sworn Information Update Statements (SUIS), a document showing the parties’ list of officers.
Aksyon Demokratiko’s roster of new leaders are as follows:
• Chairperson: Former Asst. Secretary Ernesto Ramel Jr.
• Vice Chairperson: Concepcion, Tarlac Mayor Andres Lacson
• President: Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso
• Executive Vice President: Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto
• Secretary General: Former National Youth Commission (NYC) Chair Leon Flores III
• Deputy Secretary General: Jayson Edward San Juan
• Vice President for Internal Affairs: Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna
• Vice President for External Affairs: Robbie Pierre Roco
• Vice President for Women: May Lim
• Vice President for Youth: Councilor Kaye Ann Legaspi
• Treasurer: Michael Roy Cuerpo
• Executive Director: John Erdie Delos Santos
• General Counsel: Atty. Normandy Baldovino Jr.
Marking the 16th death anniversary of the party’s founder, Domagoso was supposed to make his membership pledge together with his fellow newly elected officials last August 5. However, the oathtaking was postponed due to the chaos in the vaccination program the Mayor Domagoso had to address.
In 1988, the Comelec has duly recognized Aksyon Demokratiko as a poltical party established by late senator Raul Roco whose principles are still enshrined in the party’s vision and goals.
“The vision of Aksyon and Raul Roco for the country can only be realized if we all continue to motivate young, progressive, reform-oriented leaders to take on leadership roles, especially in public service. During these times where the pandemic and economic collapse looms, it is essential for leaders to have an immediate and quick response,” party co-founder and Chairperson Emeritus, Sonia Roco, stated.
(With a report from Jean Catherine Pidlaoan)