Chiz radical shift to win poor’s vote

By Gerry Baldo
11/02/2009


The radical shift in the stance of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero could earn him the votes of the workers and the peasants or the poor majority, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said yesterday.

Mariano said Escudero appears to be the “cream of the crop” among the presidential aspirants even as he hailed his radical position and hinted that the youngest presidential aspirant might get the worker-peasant vote.

“Chiz appears to be the cream of the crop among the presidential wannabes. He is the only presidentiable who has a categorical pro-peasant and pro-worker position. And he pulled this surprise against Danding, the most notorious landlord-comprador in the country,”

Mariano said yesterday.

This as Rep. Joel Maglunsod, another Anakpawis representative said that the militant partylist group is open to work with Escudero in drafting a pro-people platform.

“This is a welcome development and we are open to work with him more closely on drafting pro-people and patriotic platforms and programs that deviates from the decades-old transactional and corrupt politics dominating the bureaucracy,” Maglunsod said.

Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., said that Escudero took a radical position on some key issues in which the Nationalist People’s Coalition preferred a conservative stand.

Two of the issues were the legislated P125 wage increase and the proposal to condone billions of pesos in debt incurred by farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Mariano said that “standing for the rights of workers and peasants as the main reason for burning bridges with Danding is a very good start.”

“If Chiz continues with his pro-peasant and pro-worker platform, it is highly probable that he will get the worker-peasant votes,” the peasant lawmaker said.

But still, Mariano challenged Escudero to support House Bill 3059 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) which seeks the free distribution of lands to landless tillers.

“We call on Chiz to carefully study and support the GARB because this is the only solution to the Filipino peasantry’s century-old problem of landlessness,” the Anakpawis lawmaker said.

Maglunsod, for his part said that Escudero can do more for the people with his resignation from the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

He said that the peasant group would be closely watching Escudero.

“We expect him to put action into his words,” Maglunsod said.

Maglunsod challenged the presidential aspirant to start acting on his promises, link more closely and integrate with basic social sectors. “He is young and articulate. He better use his talent to genuinely serve the masses.”

The solon stressed that Chiz’ support to important people’s issues need concrete actions.

“While still in the Senate, Chiz can support and actively advocate legislative measures that will directly benefit workers, farmers, urban poor and the majority of Filipinos that he wants to serve.”

“For starters, Chiz can urge Congress to fast track the P125 wage hike bill and the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill that’s been gaining cobwebs under the Arroyo administration.”

Former Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao said that Escudero’s resignation “only means one thing...he is protecting the interest of the masses.”

Agarao said that Escudero is just leaving up to his call for change when he resigned from the NPC.

CIBAC party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva, also supported Escudero’s move.


Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091102hed3.html