Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 27) – Aksyon Demokratiko continues to flex its muscle ahead of the 2022 elections after more politicians joined the political party.
More than 50 politicians took oath as new members of Aksyon Demokratiko on Monday, the same day Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Dr. Willie Ong accepted their nomination to be the group’s presidential and vice presidential bets in the 2022 polls.
“I am really honored and humbled with the pouring of support. Lumalaki na tayo. Hindi na lang tayo (We’re growing. We’re not like a) side car,” Moreno said after accepting the nomination made by Sonia Roco, wife of the late Aksyon Demokratiko founder and former Sen. Raul Roco.
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Among the new faces in Aksyon Demokratiko are Mindanao civic leader Samira Gutoc and educator and entrepreneur Carl Balita, the two confirmed senatorial candidates of the political party for next year’s elections.
Gutoc ran under the Liberal party’s Otso Diretso senatorial slate in the 2019 elections, but she did not make it to the Magic 12. She was also a former member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, but she resigned in 2017 after President Rodrigo Duterte’s jokes on soldiers raping women.
Balita is the owner of his self-named review center and a former host of a radio show that gives advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Also joining Aksyon Demokratiko are Pateros Mayor Ike Ponce, Albay Vice Gov. Grex Lagman, Quezon City Coun. Irene Belmonte, Pateros Coun. Jorge Nicdao, and actress Angelu de Leon who will run for councilor in Pasig City.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna – who will vie for the mayoralty post of the country’s capital in the 2022 polls – are the other officers of Aksyon Demokratiko.
Last week, over 30 other politicians jumped ship and took their oath as members of the growing political party including Ong, Caloocan second district Rep. Egay Erice, and incumbent local officials from Southern Luzon.
