Makabayan Davao to mobilize 10,000 supporters for upcoming convention

From the pro-CPP Davao Today (Nov 27): Makabayan Davao to mobilize 10,000 supporters for upcoming convention

More or less 10,000 members and supporters are expected to gather on the upcoming Davao City-wide Makabayan Coalition Convention come November 29. This was revealed by Ariel Casilao, the regional coordinator of Makabayan here in a press briefing Tuesday. The convention will be held at the stadium of the University of the South Eastern Philippines (USEP). In a statement distributed to the members of the media, Casilao said that Makabayan’s advocacy for politics of change will continue this May 2013 elections and beyond. “We will aspire to put forward the people’s agenda for nationalism, democracy and to uphold the people’s rights and welfare at all times,” he added in the statement. Under the theme “Pagbabago para sa Pilipino. Pilipino para sa Pagbabago,” the convention will be actively participated by the coalition’s partylists consisting of the Bayan Muna, ACT-Teachers, Anakpawis, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan, Katribu, Migrante and Piston. Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño who had earlier announced his senatorial bid will grace the convention. The convention will also be the venue where Makabayan’s platforms as the criteria for their basis of endorsing local and national politicians will be announced.

Local coalition
Announcing that Makabayan is open for local coalition, Casilao disclosed that as of press time the group has not yet forged official coalition with any political groups and parties in the region. “We are open for coalition and to discuss terms and platforms with other existing local parties,” Casilao said. He added Makabayan is also open to discuss with the leadership of Hugpong, a local political party headed by Vice Mayor Rudy Duterte. “Vice Mayor Duterte already expressed support to the candidacy of Representative Casiño. The congressman’s frequent visit in the city is an expression that he is warmly welcomed by the leadership of the local government here,” he added. Casilao also confirmed recent conversation of Casiño with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and that he is confident the local chief executive will also support the congressman’s bid for the senate.

10-point agenda
Casilao also clarified that coalition with local parties will be based on Makabayan’s 10-point agenda.
In the national level, he added, the recent decision to support the senatorial bid of five candidates aside from Casiño was founded on their stand on different issues of the people and the 10-point agenda of Makabayan. Recently, Makabayan announced its support to the candidacy of incumbent senators Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Koko Pimentel and candidates Grace Poe and Cynthia Villar. “They are not Makabayan candidates but they were endorsed based on their stand on different issues,” Casilao added. Makabayan’s 10-point agenda includes the following: give power to the people; fight for good governance; development of pro-Filipino economy; lift the majority out of poverty; protect the environment; advance national sovereignty and equal foreign relations; defend the people’s democratic rights; promote a nationalist, progressive and scientific education and culture; advance women’s liberation and gender equality; and, advance peace process based on justice.

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