1Munti Partylist

1Munti Partylist is an advocacy-driven socio-political organization in the Philippines that advocates for the welfare of children and youth. Founded in 2024, the partylist traces its roots to a local non-governmental organization that for three decades focused on children’s well-being in Muntinlupa.

1Munti was accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as one of the new partylist groups eligible to run in the 2025 general elections. The group’s name initially referred to Muntinlupa City, its original area of operations, but later evolved to also embrace the Tagalog word munti, meaning "small," symbolizing a child. Its platform emphasizes comprehensive support for Filipino children from early life into adulthood as a means to spur continuous national development.

1Munti Partylist is set to participate in the 2025 elections, aiming to secure representation in Congress for its child-centered advocacy.

History

1Munti Partylist first introduced itself on its Facebook page on June 12, 2024, outlining its aim to serve Filipino youth, referred to as “Batang Juan.” The partylist advocates for initiatives in inclusive education, healthcare, skills development, sports, and employment support.

On July 30, 2024, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) granted 1Munti Partylist its official accreditation, enabling it to pursue seats in the House of Representatives. In October 2024, the party filed its certificate of nomination, led by principal nominee Atty. Rafael “Raffy” Garcia, a lawyer and child rights advocate, and Jo Jason “Jojay” Alcaraz, the founder of PCNC-accredited Batang Munti Foundation and a former vice mayor of Muntinlupa. The group seeks to institutionalize youth-oriented programs initially launched in Muntinlupa City and expand them nationwide.

According to local media sources, 1Munti is among 190 partylist groups vying for seats in the 2025 elections. In a December 2024 Philstar survey, it was noted among the partylists garnering attention from voters.

Legislative agenda

The Wagi Agenda is the legislative platform of 1Munti Partylist, which focuses on the welfare of Filipino children and youth. The term wagi, meaning "win" in Filipino, reflects the party's goal of implementing policies that prioritize the health, education, and development of children. The agenda is divided into four key areas: Wagi sa Kalusugan (Health), Wagi sa Edukasyon (Education), Wagi sa Paglilingkod (Service), and Wagi sa Pagpapakatao (Personhood).

Wagi sa Kalusugan (Winning in Health)

The Wagi sa Kalusugan initiative emphasizes the importance of children’s health as a foundation for a strong society. It advocates for accessible and affordable healthcare, as well as a safe environment that promotes both physical and mental development. Key proposals under this area include:

• Munting Alay, Tamang Gabay Act: This bill seeks to implement standardized developmental screenings for children in healthcare facilities and schools. It aims to identify early signs of developmental delays in speech, motor skills, and cognitive or social-emotional growth. Early detection and intervention would help minimize the long-term impact of these delays and support children’s full potential.
• Glimmer of Hope Act: This proposal calls for the creation of community-based mental health programs for children, offering counseling and support in local schools and child development centers. By integrating mental health services into familiar environments, the bill aims to reduce stigma and improve children’s emotional well-being, particularly in underserved areas.

Wagi sa Edukasyon (Winning in Education)

Wagi sa Edukasyon focuses on providing equitable access to high-quality early childhood education. The agenda calls for increased support for early learning programs, particularly in underserved or isolated communities, to close the educational achievement gap and give children a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Key proposals include:

• Batang Masigla Act (Sports Development for Early Learners): This bill seeks to incorporate physical activities and sports into the early childhood education curriculum to foster healthy habits, improve motor skills, and support cognitive and social development from a young age.
• Magbasa Tayo Act (Improving Literacy for Early Learners): This legislation focuses on enhancing literacy skills among young children by integrating age-appropriate reading and writing programs into early childhood education. The bill addresses the need for early literacy interventions, particularly for children in underserved communities, to improve their reading comprehension and academic success.
• Day Care Teachers Act (Rights and Benefits of CDC Teachers): This act aims to improve the working conditions of child development center (CDC) teachers by mandating fair wages, job security, and professional development opportunities. It also proposes salary standardization and access to essential benefits such as healthcare, paid leave, and retirement plans.

Wagi sa Paglilingkod (Winning in Service)

The Wagi sa Paglilingkod agenda promotes volunteerism as a valuable tool for both community building and personal development, particularly for youth. It advocates for creating pathways for young people to gain work experience through volunteering, which can help bridge the gap between education and employment. Proposed measures include:

• Make Your Community Proud Act (Community-Based Youth Volunteerism): This bill encourages young people to engage in civic activities by creating volunteer opportunities within local communities. The initiative aims to help youth build leadership skills, gain confidence, and develop a sense of responsibility by connecting them with meaningful service projects.
• Boluntir Ako! Act (Mainstreaming Volunteerism as Work Experience): This legislation seeks to recognize volunteer work as a legitimate form of work experience, especially for young people transitioning into the workforce. It aims to create structured volunteer programs in partnership with youth organizations, employers, and local governments, helping young job seekers build skills and expand their professional networks.

Wagi sa Pagpapakatao (Winning in Personhood)

Wagi sa Pagpapakatao supports youth as they transition into adulthood. This section focuses on providing the necessary tools and resources for young people to navigate adult responsibilities, including education, employment, and personal development. Key proposals include:

• Free Birth Registration Act (Free Late Birth Registration for Indigent Children): This bill proposes free birth registration services for children aged 0–5 from indigent families, ensuring that all children have official documentation, which is necessary to access essential services like education and healthcare.
• Responsible 18 (R18) Act (Transitioning to Adulthood Support): This bill requires local governments to provide programs that support young adults as they reach the age of 18. These programs would focus on financial literacy, legal rights, civic duties, and life skills, ensuring that young people are better prepared to handle the challenges of adulthood.

Programs

1Munti Partylist implements a series of programs aimed at advancing youth development across the Philippines. These initiatives focus on health, education, and personal growth, targeting children from early childhood through adolescence. The organization collaborates with local government units, civil society groups, and private stakeholders to broaden its reach.

• Munting Alalay, Tamang Gabay: Focuses on early detection of developmental delays in children, offering therapy sessions and a parental support system.
• NutriJuan: Provides regular health checks and nutrition interventions, aiming to ensure proper child growth and development.
• Glimmers of Hope: A mental health initiative for students in Grades 9–12, offering screening, counseling, and awareness campaigns to reduce mental health stigma.
• Rehistrado, Sigurado: Facilitates free late birth registration for indigent families with children aged five and below, alongside legal aid for civil registry amendments.
• Aktibo, Panalo!: Encourages sports participation among children (especially ages 2–5) to foster an active lifestyle and nurture athletic skills.
• 1Munti Readers’ Book Club: Promotes a culture of reading and creative storytelling through community-based literacy sessions.
• R-18 (Responsible 18) Program: Conducts workshops for newly legal adults, focusing on civic responsibilities, rights, and personal development.
• 1Munti Job Portal: Operates an online job-matching platform that connects jobseekers to potential employers, paired with capacity-building seminars.
• Dress for Success: Offers job interview guidance and provides free corporate attire for applicants in need.

Advocacy

Mental health

1Munti Partylist supports greater attention to mental health, particularly among college students. It has commended the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for training guidance counselors and addressing the rising attrition rate in higher education.

Through its Glimmers of Hope initiative, the partylist offers mental health screening, counseling, and awareness campaigns. 1Munti advocates system-wide reforms—described as “from womb to work”—that ensure holistic support for young Filipinos, aiming to curb dropouts and promote nationwide mental wellness.

Human rights agenda

On February 3, 2025, 1Munti Partylist joined a human rights network composed of civic organizations and the Commission on Human Rights, endorsing a human rights–based agenda for the 2025 elections. During the Makatao, Makatayo: The 2025 Human Rights Electoral Agenda forum, nominee Debs Bartolo reiterated 1Munti’s commitment to children’s rights and equitable welfare.

Community outreach and philanthropy

1Munti Partylist is noted as a donor to the Angat Buhay Foundation, supporting regular medical missions and relief operations for disaster victims. The partylist also conducts free eye checkups and provides reading glasses through programs like Oplan Sagip Mata.

Sports development

The organization actively promotes grassroots sports to foster discipline and community health. In 2024, 1Munti supported the Philippine Bicycle Demo and Expo, advocating cyclists’ rights and road safety. The partylist also facilitated a partnership between the Muntinlupa City government and volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez for a youth volleyball program, providing training camps and values formation. Their nominees attend various local athletic events, including baseball matches, to encourage active lifestyles among children.

Literacy and education

1Munti Partylist operates the Batang Juan Reading Session program, offering storytelling and gift-giving activities in schools such as Doña Juana Elementary in Quezon City. It also provides scholarship assistance, educational materials, and training for daycare teachers and parents to enhance early childhood education.

Initiatives have been carried out in multiple localities, including Rizal, Sorsogon, and Muntinlupa, focusing on reducing barriers to education and improving academic support for students at all levels.

Campaign activities

Batang Juan Caravan

1Munti Partylist has engaged in various grassroots efforts, one of which is the Batang Juan Caravan. The program offers services such as free late birth registration for children under 12. On February 10, 2025, the group held an event at the San Dionisio Old Gym in Parañaque City, assisting over 300 children and their families. These activities have been covered by local media outlets, including Police Files, DIYaryopinoy, and radio networks DZXL and DZRH.

The first Batang Juan Caravan, held in November 2024, featured activities such as birth registration orientations, the NutriJuan feeding program, a children’s book club, and the launch of the 1Munti Job Portal.

Community outreach and visits

In early 2025, 1Munti visited the Malabon Central Market on Sevilla Street, Malabon City, to converse with vendors and assess their working conditions. The delegation was led by nominees Atty. Raffy Garcia, Debs Bartolo, and Coco Yoro, who were reportedly welcomed by both residents and vendors.

During the visit, Garcia emphasized the partylist’s mission to support Filipino children—referred to as Batang Juan—to become productive members of society. He highlighted 1Munti’s focus on comprehensive child development, including early detection of developmental delays, access to therapy, and parent support programs. Bartolo underscored the importance of legislative action to institutionalize these initiatives, while Yoro expressed appreciation for the community’s support and reaffirmed the partylist’s commitment to grassroots engagement.

External links

• Official Facebook page