Lito Atienza, 80, has represented the Buhay party-list as a lawmaker in the lower house since 2012.
He has held several seats in the City of Manila since the 1970s, ultimately becoming mayor for three consecutive years from 1998 to 2007. His appointment as Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources under the Arroyo administration from 2007 to 2009 also drew criticism from environmentalists who disapproved of his anti-conservation record as mayor.
As Buhay representative, Atienza opposes divorce, same-sex marriage or civil unions and the death penalty. He has also sought to repeal the Reproductive Health Law, claiming that the law’s promotion of birth control and use of artificial contraceptives and the possible legalization of same-sex marriage through the anti-discrimination provision violate the 1987 Constitution.
In contrast to his religious beliefs and what he calls his "pro-life" advocacy, Atienza urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to declare their full support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs in November 2019.
Atienza had intended to retire from politics and serve as an advisor to Senator Manny Pacquiao on his campaign but was convinced by the boxer-turned-lawmaker to seek the vice presidency as his running mate. He is campaigning on a platform of good government and the elimination of corruption to provide a better life for Filipinos, listing 22 high-level agenda items to be tackled in a Pacquiao-Atienza administration. He claims that he may step aside if he is elected vice president but Pacquiao loses as president, insisting that the boxing icon is the best choice for the position.
His father Jose Atienza Sr. served under three Philippine presidents and founded the Liberal Party.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
- Unity between him and president Pacquiao
- Strong enforcement of laws regulating smuggling at the borders
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
Under Atienza's leadership, the City of Manila touted record-low crime levels, owing to Atienza’s policies aimed at eliminating drug trafficking and drug syndicates in the city. However, he was also criticized for the demolition of several historic buildings such as the Jai Alai Building.
As Buhay party-list representative, Atienza has principally authored at least 21 laws and filed some 254 bills. Among the laws he principally authored is R.A. No. 11207 which increased the discount rate given to candidates looking to run political ads on television, radio and print. He also wrote the law that established the Philippine Space Agency.
Atienza has held conservative positions in the lower house, even filing a bill seeking to repeal the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, which guarantees universal and free access to nearly all modern contraceptives for citizens, including those in poor communities.
In January 2022, Atienza doubled down on his opposition to marriage equality, saying he would only support it "once men can get pregnant and give birth."
Although he claims to be "pro-life," Atienza has expressed full-fledged support for the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign which has had a death toll.
He became deputy speaker in November 2020 after allies of former speaker Alan Peter Cayetano were removed from their posts following the latter's ouster.
Principal author, 2017
Approved by the president on April 12, 2019
Principal author, 2017
Approved by the president on Feb. 14, 2019
Principal author, 2018
Approved by the president on Aug. 8, 2019
Principal author, 2018
Approved by the president on Feb. 14, 2019
Principal author, 2019
Approved by the president on July 25, 2019
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Potential Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila City Administrator Amado Tetangco filed a P4.5 billion plunder case against Atienza and two others over the alleged overpriced Pasig River project before the Office of Ombudsman | Dredging project in 2008 Charges filed in 2011 |
Reclusion perpetua to death (death penalty repealed in 2006) | No official report or publicly available update from the Office of the Ombudsman |
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petitioners claimed that the modification of a rally permit changing the location of the rally site (from foot of Mendiola Bridge to Plaza Miranda) was a grave abuse of Atienza’s discretion as mayor and unconstitutional, after charges were filed against the rally organizers for violating the rally permit granted. | Permit application - July 15, 2006 Permit issuance - June 16, 2006 Petition for certiorari to Court of Appeals - June 21, 2006, later denied for mootness Rally at Mendiola Bridge June 26, 2006 - Manila Police District files charges for violation of the Public Assembly Act |
Although moot, the Supreme Court issued a decision ruling that the unilateral and outright modification of the rally permit is a grave abuse of discretion contrary to the Public Assembly Act and the rights of public assembly and of expression, unless a clear and present danger of a substantive evil that the state has a right to prevent | |
| 10 consolidated petitions assailing the constitutionality of Section 21(B) of Ordinance No. 7794 of the City of Manila (Manila Revenue Code) as basis for assessment of municipal license tax or business tax on transportation contractors; Atienza impleaded as vice mayor | Manila Revenue Code enacted on June 22, 1993 Business tax assessments and civil cases filed- 1994 Regional Trial Court decisions in favor of corporations - 1995 SC decision - Dec. 10, 2014 |
No personal liability; business taxes assessed and collected ordered refunded by City of Manila | SC ruled in favor of petitioners and declared Section 21(B) of Ordinance No. 7794 null and void for being beyond the power of the City of Manila and its officials to enact, approve and implement under the Local Government Code and ordered the refund of business taxes assessed and collected against the corporations |
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
* As of Dec. 31, 2018
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Running mate of Manny Pacquiao in 2022
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
Claimed in 2019 that the SOGIE Equality Bill, an anti-discrimination measure, actually "discriminates against majority of the people, imposing on them what they cannot accept."
In January 2022, Atienza said he would only support same-sex marriage "once men can get pregnant and give birth"
2013 - present - Spans political career but most prominently during terms in the House of Representatives
Ongoing
2013 - present - Spans political career but most prominently during terms in the House of Representatives, and including as vice presidential candidate
Ongoing
Protested against the Marcos regime
Says the Marcos family must admit abuses and failures of Martial Law before he can believe that younger Marcoses won’t make the same mistakes
Claims he will not work with Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. if he wins the presidency, to step aside for next VP candidate with the most votes
2022 - Throughout his political career, including as vice presidential candidate
Ongoing
Filed House Bill No. 5373 in 2015 seeking to repeal the Reproductive Health Law
2015 - As Buhay representative
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
- Jose J. Atienza Sr., father
- Encarnita Escalante Livioko, mother
- Kim Atienza
- Arnold Atienza
- Maile Roces
- Analei Atienza
- Chi-chi Atienza
- Lani Atienza-Beltran
•Master in Urban Planning, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
•Bachelor in Public Administration, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
•Doctor of Public Management, Honoris Causa, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
•Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nov. 2020 to present
•Representative of Buhay Party-List Group, House of Representatives, 2013 to present
•Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2007 to 2009
•Mayor, Manila City, 1998 - 2007
•Vice Mayor, Manila City, 1992 - 1998
