The Aksyon Demokratiko on Monday announced that it has already issued more than 4,000 Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance to its party members who are running for various elective posts from national down to the local elective positions in 2022 elections.
Ernest Ramel, chairman of the Aksyon Demokratiko, said the issuance of more than 4,000 CONAs only shows that party membership has registered a geometric increase.
Akson, Ramel said, is no longer a “pedicab” political party, but has become an MRT-like group with additional train cars.
“Since the double defeat of its founder and standard bearer Raul Roco in the 1998 and 2004 presidential elections, the party has been likened to a pedicab that can seat only two to three passengers,” he said.
“But 18 years later, Aksyon Demokratiko now boasts of more than 4,000 members and now has a winnable presidential bet in the person of 47-year-old Manila Mayor Fransciso ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso,” he added.
While Aksyon Demokratiko may still be a “pedicab” compared to bigger and older political groups, Domagoso said its members have nothing to worry about.
“Don’t worry, my specialty is driving sidecars. I won’t let you down,” said Domagoso, a former sidecar driver in Tondo, Manila, in jest.
“Pure giant killer here… Look at Manila and Pasig,” he added, referring to his 2019 victory over former President Joseph Estrada and former policeman Alfredo Lim as well as Mayor Vico Sotto’s win over the Eusebios in Pasig City.
As of September 30, about 50 local government officials from different parts of Luzon have taken oath before Mayor Domagoso as the political party continues to consolidate local support.
Among the recent additions to Aksyon Demokratiko are former Lakas-CMD official Dr. Willie Ong, former Otso Diretso candidate Samira Gutoc, former Quezon City Liberal Party chairman Jopet Sison and former Liberal Party member Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who was Mar Roxas’ campaign spokesman when he ran for president under the LP in 2016.
Doc Willie is Mayor Isko’s vice presidential bet. Gutoc, Sison and educator and registered nurse Carl Balita are part of Aksyon’s senatorial slate.