Communique of the 10th National Congress of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
April 15, 2023
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) held its 10th Congress on April 13-15 at the International Center of Public Administration in UP Diliman under the theme of “Sulong Bayan! Ibayong magpalakas at makibaka para sa pambansang demokrasya!” Bayan was founded in 1985 while its last Congress was held in 2009.
Around 150 delegates from 12 regions and allied people’s organizations attended the in-person assembly, while overseas chapters from five countries were able to participate through Zoom.
During the opening ceremonies, Bayan chairperson Dr Carol Araullo highlighted the significant victories of the alliance over the past decade in militantly asserting the people’s national and democratic aspirations.
Solidarity messages were given by UP Student Regent Siegfred Severino, Senators Koko Pimentel and Loren Legarda, former Senator Leila de Lima, Makabayan President Satur Ocampo, Caloocan Vice Mayor Karina Teh, Movement Against Disinformation founder Dean Tony Laviña, Movement Against Tyranny convenor Mo. Mary John Mananzan, film director Joel Lamangan, and Concerned Artists of the Philippines chairperson Bibeth Orteza.
The Congress reviewed Bayan’s political and organizational work during the administrations of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte. It summed up the lessons of its mass campaigns, alliance building, and major political tasks during this period.
The Congress discussed and adopted Bayan’s three-year program focused on rebuilding the strength of the alliance while resisting the anti-national and anti-people policies of the US-backed regime of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It included Bayan’s commitment to oppose the self-serving charter change proposal of Marcos Jr. and his allies.
Among the major resolutions proposed by the delegates and approved by the Congress included the campaigns for wage hike, land reform and rural development, resisting repressive policies and projects, and strengthening the human rights machineries of allied organizations. A special resolution sponsored by outgoing Bayan Vice Chairperson and Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson Elmer Labog designated Carol Araullo as Chairperson Emeritus in recognition of her outstanding leadership, political activism, and decades-long service to the masses.
Amendments to Bayan’s constitution were deliberated and approved by the Congress which updated the general program of action of the Alliance, reinstated the position of the president, and formalized the establishment of two commissions – Political Relations Commission and Public Information and Education Commission.
After all positions were declared vacant, voting delegates elected new members of the National Council (NC) from allied organizations and regional chapters. Eleven individuals were also nominated as NC members-at-large. The new National Council elected Bayan’s new National Executive Committee members: Teodoro Casiño (chairperson), Renato Reyes, Jr. (president), Lana Linaban (vice chairperson), Raymond Palatino (secretary general), Angelica Marcelino (deputy secretary general), Sarah Raymundo (treasurer), and Robert de Castro (PSC director).
A cultural program was organized to pay tribute to Bayan’s martyrs and people’s heroes.
Bayan President Renato Reyes, Jr. remarked that the Congress marked a new era for the alliance noting the presence of young delegates and new allied organizations and chapters. He also acknowledged the role of the late revolutionary stalwart Jose Maria Sison whose writings have guided Bayan in analyzing the national situation and assessing its political work. ###
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