Gibo backs Mikey A on party-list stand

By Charlie V. Manalo
02/28/2010



Original Story: http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100228met1.html


Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro yesterday defended those seeking party-list nominations who do not necessarily belong to the marginalized sectors, saying it is the advocacy that matters in the party-list system and not the personality of the nominees.

In saying so, the administration bet has basically backed the stand of embattled Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo who is now taking the heat of his possible entry as party-list representative

“Ang party-list ay hindi tao (kundi) iyung advocacy that is important. Kung makatutulong sa advocacy ng marginalized ng isang tao o grupo bagama’t hindi siya marginalized, bakit hindi,” said Teodoro in an interview in San Fernando, La Union with media reporters from Manila.

The other day, Arroyo, lashing back at his critics, said nobody has the monopoly of party-list system, adding what matters most in party-list representations is the nominee should be committed to upholding and fighting for the ideals, goals, objectives and the interests of the sector he or she intends to represent.

One of Arroyo’s rabid critics, Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, claimed Arroyo cannot represent any party-list group as he does not belong to the marginalized sector.

Arroyo hit back, saying since Hontiveros herself also does not come from the marginalized sector, she should respect the internal decision of all other party-list groups and concentrate on espousing the ideals of her own group.

Arroyo dared Hontiveros to compel her presidential bet, Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to address the issues of the Hacienda Luisita and the Subic- Clark-Tarlac Expressway project

At the same time, Teodoro called on other Cabinet secretaries, including Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, to heed the directive of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to resign immediately as he might also be seeking party-list representation.

Reyes is reportedly being eyed as nominee of the 1-Utak party-list group.

“If the Comelec says so, I think it should be respected. I think there is nothing wrong with that. But in the case of Congressman Arroyo, he is an elective official, that is different. I think what the Comelec is talking about are appointive officials. Kapag appointive, sa tingin ko maliwanag na iyung mensahe ng Comelec, so sundin na lang,” Teodoro said.


Original Story: http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20100228met1.html