Chel Diokno formalizes House seat bid

From left: Dadah Kiram Ismula, lawyer Chel Diokno and former Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña files certificate of nomination and acceptance INQUIRER.net/John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan party-list lead nominee Chel Diokno formalized his House of Representatives bid on Monday.

Diokno, along with Akbayan’s second and third nominees Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, respectively, filed his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) at Manila Hotel Tent City.

READ: Chel Diokno is Akbayan Party’s 1st nominee for 2025 polls

Diokno previously announced his intent to run as a senator in the midterm elections, but he said he opted to run as a representative instead because not everyone has a chance to represent a party-list with a strong legacy.

“Bihira po na dumadating ang pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng isang solid at may mahabang track record na party-list katulad ng Akbayan,” he said in an interview after the filing.

(It is rare to have a chance to be a part of a party-list with a solid and long track record like Akbayan.)

Diokno admitted that falling short of making the Senate’s Magic 12 was one of the reasons that led to this move.

“Lahat ng kandidato naman tinitignan nila ang survey results at maliban sa ang aking paniniwala at prinsipyo ay kapareho sa Akbayan, ay tinitignan natin ang ibat-ibang factor, kasama na din doon ang survey,” he said.

(All candidates look at survey results, and aside from my beliefs and principles aligning with Akbayan, we also consider various factors, including the surveys.)