Makabayan bloc sets Sept. 30 convention to pick top bets for 2016

From GMA News (Sep 17): Makabayan bloc sets Sept. 30 convention to pick top bets for 2016 

Eleven progressive parties under the Makabayan coalition will hold a convention on Sept. 30 to finalize who it will endorse for president and vice president in the May 2016 elections.

The date for the convention was disclosed Thursday by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, leader of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives.

“We will make the final decision on who to support as president and VP in the Makabayan convention,” he said.

Colmenares, however, confirmed there have been talks between leaders of the progressive bloc and representatives from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP), and National Unity Party (NUP) to back the candidacy of Senator Grace Poe for president.

“May mga different political parties— NP, NUP, NPC, Makabayan—na nag-uusap-usap sa platform ni Sen. Poe,” he said.

In a separate text message, Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the member parties are expected to endorse Colmenares' bid for senator at the convention.

"The Makabayan will be discussing the current political and economic situation leading to the 2016 elections. I'm also expecting Makabayan will formalize the endorsement of Rep. Colmenares' candidacy for senator," Ridon said.

The Makabayan coalition is composed of the following parties: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Courage, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Akap Bata, Piston, Kalikasan and Aking Bikolnon. The group has seven party-list representatives in Congress.

While the Makabayan bloc has yet to name who it will support for president and vice president, Colmenares admitted he is inclined to support Poe because her agenda jibes well with his personal advocacies.

“I’m inclined to support Grace because she promises a new hope for the nation. We had cooperative relations with her on some issues in the past and based on our talks, she is committed to carry certain pro-poor and pro-people’s agenda,” he said.

Poe announced her candidacy for president at the University of the Philippines Bahay ng Alumni last Wednesday.

Earlier Thursday, Sen. Francis Escudero was named as Poe's running mate.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/537310/news/nation/makabayan-bloc-sets-sept-30-convention-to-pick-top-bets-for-2016