Change is coming when...

WE JOIN the Filipino people in expressing goodwill to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as he starts his tenure for six years with his first State of the Nation Address.

With power comes great responsibility and accountability. Our people's longing for change expressed through the ballot in the May 2016 elections gave him such mandate and now translates to people's high expectations for this administration to deliver on its promises.

We also welcome Pres. Duterte's affirmation of the rule of law as uncompromising in his first major policy pronouncement. But Akbayan believes that fighting inequality and defending democracy are equally important to the fight against criminality and the drug problem.

Inequality is still a grave problem as the "trickle-down" in economic growth has hardly reached the poor. And even now, it is the poor who suffer the most in the war against drugs.

Vigilantism is on the rise as suspected criminals are killed wantonly with some victims even chopped to pieces. We are greatly alarmed over the increasing number of extrajudicial killings and we support the call for a thorough and impartial investigation of these incidents.

We maintain that democracy is a lofty ideal and never will its meaning be lost even when its institutions fail us at times. A personality-driven movement for change without an empowered citizenry and strong democratic institutions can drive us down the abyss of authoritarian rule.

Therefore we believe in change for the better and sustaining its gains through institution-building and not through hero worship.

Change is coming when we finally realize and uphold the dignity of each Filipino and individual human being.

Change is coming when those who have less are equipped and empowered so they can have, do, and live more.

Change is coming when the protection of our people's freedoms and liberties is guaranteed regardless of social, economic, cultural, and gender status.

Change is coming when public officials are held accountable when they violate public trust and that our laws apply equally to all with neither fear nor favor to the high and mighty.

Akbayan will engage the Duterte administration along its goals of fighting poverty, achieving just and sustainable peace, pursuing an independent foreign policy that aims for amity with all nations and asserts our sovereignty, and upholding the rule of law at all times.

We will be firm and resolute in our assertion, can disagree without being disagreeable, and will always be vigilant to protect our freedoms.