Buhay Party-List
Buhay Hayaan Yumabong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ideology | Anti-abortion Christian right |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Colors | Green |
| Seats in the House of Representatives of the Philippines | 0 / 316
|
| House of Representatives party-list seats | 0 / 63
|
Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (transl. Let Life Prosper), more popularly known as Buhay Party-List, is a party-list group in the Philippines founded on October 20, 1999 by Lito Atienza, Melquiades Robles, and El Shaddai founder Mike Velarde.[1][2] A "pro-life" (anti-abortion) party-list, Buhay is known for its staunch opposition to abortion and birth control in its advocacy for the sanctity of life.[3] The party-list is also known for opposing the death penalty, divorce, same sex marriage, and euthanasia.[4]
In the 2004 elections for the House of Representatives, the party-list group got 705,730 votes (5.5473% of the nationwide party-list vote)[5] and two seats.[6] In the 14 May 2007 election, the party won three seats in the nationwide party-list vote. In the 2010 elections, 1,249,555 votes won for Buhay three seats. Buhay was number three among all elected party-lists in the 2010 elections, after Ako Bicol, which got 1,522,986 votes (winning three seats) and Senior Citizens, which got 1,292,182 votes (also winning three seats).
Today, Buhay Partylist is led by the council of elders supported by multiple congregations and religious groups. The council of elders guides the party on nation-building, democracy, and human rights advocacy. For the 2022 elections, Buhay Party List has enlisted three new nominees: Von Valdepeñas, Mark Brian Paz, and Xavy Padilla.
Von Valdepeñas
First nominee Von Valdepeñas is a businessman, politician and a service-oriented volunteer, who aims to balance his time in the pursuit of social entrepreneurship. Von’s turn to charity focus was mainly influenced by Ateneo while his entrepreneurial mettle was formed at Harvard University in Boston, USA. Moreover, the influence of his father in law Deputy Speaker and former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza, who is a fierce fighter for the anti-abortion, pro-Catholic movement, has served to sustain and inspire Von to remain steadfast and true to his principles.
As such it is not surprising that he manages his companies with compassion, avoiding the mistakes and pitfalls that far too often leads to capitalism inequality. With humility, as well as the right guidance from a stint as councillor in laguna. His socio-civic organizations such as JCI, he is president of Rotary Aseana, Director Buhay Partylist, Von has forged his company culture leaning towards charity.
Von Valdepeñas is currently the owner of V1 Corporation, a company that operates in industries such as real estate, transportation, construction and trading. He also spends his time supporting campaigns that helped save the environment, devoting hours to other Non-Government organizations, whose efforts are focused on increased job creation. He has demonstrated selflessness through his devotion to helping the public at large through his numerous collaborations with his wife' Chi Atienza Valdepenas' orphanage: Home for the Angels, which works closely with street children, the LA dance troupe and senior citizen P.O.
In addition, he helped attend rallies against legislation that runs anathema to his stated opposition the death penalty, and extrajudicial killings. Some of his personal programs in Laguna, his home province include anti-drug campaigns, sports programs, job fairs and training and seminars for the youth.
In 2019 he has accepted yet another undertaking: to work full-time as President of Goodwill Philippines, championing the cause of the PWDs. He is humbled and honoured to be chosen to take on such an important responsibility. He has selflessly agreed to do so with no salary, nor deriving any benefit from the organization. Armed with just his fellow member volunteers, and the generosity of its magnanimous donors, Von has now taken on the mission of making Goodwill’s vision of a PWD inclusive Philippines a reality. In October 2021, Von Valdepeñas was voted First Nominee for Buhay Partylist.
Electoral performance
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 290,760 | 1.92% | 2 | Christian Señeres Rene Velarde |
| 2004 | 705,730 | 5.55% | 2 | Christian Señeres Rene Velarde |
| 2007 | 1,169,234 | 7.33% | 3 | Ma. Carissa Coscolluela Irwin Tieng Rene Velarde |
| 2010 | 1,249,555 | 4.19% | 2 | Mike Velarde, Jr. Irwin Tieng |
| 2013 | 1,255,808 | 4.62% | 3 | Mike Velarde, Jr. Lito Atienza Irwin Tieng |
| 2016 | 760,912 | 2.35% | 2 | Mike Velarde, Jr. Lito Atienza |
| 2019 | 361,493 | 1.30% | 1 | Lito Atienza |
| 2022 | 103,077 | 0.28% | 0 | N/A (19th Congress) |
Principal Authored Bills
| HB Number | Title | Author | Congress |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB00137 | AN ACT IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND DISCRIMINATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610, AS AMENDED | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01106 | AN ACT CREATING A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 3720, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 9711 | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01107 | AN ACT AMENDING SECTION TWO OF R.A. 10868 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'AN ACT HONORING AND GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES' | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01108 | AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE CULTURAL AND SPORTS TRAINING OF THE FILIPINO YOUTH BY RE-ORGANIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED) INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND SPORTS (DECS), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01109 | AN ACT MANDATING ALL BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE COUNTRY TO INSTITUTIONALIZE PROFIT SHARING, REPEALING AND/OR AMENDING ALL LAWS INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ACT | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01110 | AN ACT CREATING A MUSLIM TRADE AND CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES, IN THE CITY OF MANILA, AS THE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01111 | AN ACT PROVIDING A FIVE (5)-YEAR TAX HOLIDAY FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY BY AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9167, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'AN ACT CREATING THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES' | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01112 | AN ACT PROHIBITING INCUMBENT OFFICIALS FROM DESTROYING PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01113 | AN ACT GRANTING A TOTAL OF FIFTY PERCENT (50%) DISCOUNT ON THE FARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND SEA VOYAGES; AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 7432, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010' | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01114 | AN ACT CREATING A COUNCIL OF ELDERS IN EVERY BARANGAY, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB01115 | AN ACT MAKING IT COMPULSORY FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES LANDING IN THE PHILIPPINES TO PLAY PHILIPPINE MUSIC IMMEDIATELY UPON THEIR ARRIVAL, AS WELL AS ALL PUBLIC AREAS LIKE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, TOURIST BUSES AND BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS LIKE HOTELS | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB02597 | THE MAGNA CARTA FOR FOREST RANGERS | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB05989 | AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS MANDATE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB07757 | AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS, ITS COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, POWERS, AND MANDATE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB09072 | AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A FREE ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UP FOR FILIPINOS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR | Lito Atienza | 18th |
| HB09343 | AN ACT EXPANDING THE CAPITAL MARKET BY DEVELOPING A ROBUST INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR BASE, STRENGTHENING THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT, AND PROMOTING FINANCIAL LITERACY | Lito Atienza | 18th |
References
- ^ "Buhay Partylist – Buhay Hayaan Yumabong". Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ "Party founded by Bro. Mike tops party-list race". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ "Did BUHAY party champion other interests?". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Lebumfacil, Marigold. "Buhay Party-list to give pro-life advocates voice in Congress". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ Comelec Archived 2007-04-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Congress, Congress
