The inclusion of Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) in the senatorial slate of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. has cost the NP two prospective national candidates expected to lure support from the militant sector.Party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza (Gabriela) have backed out from the NP senatorial ticket following the entry of Marcos in the party.
The militant law-makers noted that siding with Villar’s party would mean compromising their advocacy against the human rights violations of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and the recovery of the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.
According to them, they would rather run as independent candidates in the May 2010 elections than be under the same banner with Marcos.
But Villar’s camp was quick in claiming that there was no “pull-out” of alliance since they have yet to formalize everything as far as alignment is concerned.
NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla said they continue to hold dialogs with them and expressed confidence it can still be resolved sooner than expected.
“We are saddened by their announcement. We’ve had good progress in our talks in the past. We still consider them as partners, as friends, when it comes to fight against poverty or issues that we stood together like the impeachment… in this regard we are keeping the lines open, we continue to dialog with them and we believe in due time all these issues will be resolved and we will come together in the end.”
Remulla also clarified that the two party-list representatives are not actually asking them to drop Marcos’ candidacy in exchange for their inclusion in the slate.
“No, there has been no demand to that effect. I think what it is, is to have clear statements as regards to the issues of the Marcoses in the past,” he said.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano explained that what the two are asking for was a simple clarification.
“Of course, any group that has known advocacies that join a coalition, they will have to make sure that their advocacies continue and are not damaged. There are certain advocacies by the Makabayan like the compensation for the victims during the martial law period, among others….so they’re just seeking clarification.
Villar said he forged an alliance with the KBL because of its pro-poor stand, which is aligned with his party’s advocacy and his platform of government.
The senator added the NP will announce its complete senatorial slate on Nov. 29, and he plans to file his certificate of candidacy for president on Dec. 1.
Meanwhile, the camp of Lapian ng Manggagawa-United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines (LM-UMDP) of presidential candidate Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. brushed aside claims made by an administration party stalwart that they lack the manpower and resources to launch a full campaign for the former Public Works secretary.
In a media briefing in Pasig City, LM-UMDP campaign manager Ruben Torres said the party, formed by original and disgruntled members of the Lakas party, said they had similar starts when former President Fidel Ramos launched his own bid in the 1990s and eventually won.
Torres laughed off claims by Lakas-Kampi-CMD official Prospero Pichay, who underestimated the capabilities of original members of Lakas who had thrown their support behind Ebdane’s presidential bid.
“These Lakas late-comers should ask FVR how the originals worked to make him win,” he stressed.
Torres cited the decision of the UMDP to bolt the ruling coalition and throw its support behind Ebdane.
He said the UMDP, under former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sanchez Ali, forged late Sunday evening a new coalition with LM.
“They (LM and UMDP) supported the candidacy of Jun Ebdane and his choice for vice president which we will announce this week,” Torres said.
He added former Speaker Jose de Venecia will likely have a dialog with original Lakas members.
Party president Jose Malvar Villegas said they expect more officials and lawmakers, both former and incumbent, to join the newly formed LM -UMDP.
“I will not be surprised that as the days progress that more and more people, lawmakers both past and present to sway toward the newly formed LM- UMDP,” he said.
“Both parties are now with the LM and have expressed their 100 percent support to Secretary Ebdane,” he added on the merger. Angie M. Rosales, Jason Faustino and PNA
Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091125hed2.html
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