Senators Francis Escudero and Grace Poe, who are running as a tandem next year, flank Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, whose senatorial bid they will support, at the Makabayan congress in Manila. (photo by Lester Lopez, InterAksyon.com)
(UPDATED WIH VIDEO) The Makabayan coalition has “technically” endorsed the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, who the activist bloc is fielding in the senatorial elections next year, said Wednesday.
In turn, Poe and Escudero backed Colmenares’ bid, as did Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. All of them attended Makabayan’s third national convention at the San Andres Sports Complex in Manila.
"Technically, the Makabayan bloc has endorsed Senator Grace Poe and Senator Chiz (although) the formal endorsement will have to go through the proper convention process," Colmenares said. "Pero patungo na rin doon ‘yun (But it is headed there)."
Colmenares’ Senate bid was formally approved by a resolution passed at the Makabayan congress.
Aside from Bayan Muna, Makabayan also counts the party-lists Kabataan, Gabriela Women, ACT Teachers, Anakpawis, Piston, Katribu, among others.
Colmenares is the first politician to be included in the senatorial line-up of the Poe-Escudero tandem since the two are still in the process of selecting candidates for their senatorial slate.
Poe said their list of 12 possible senatorial candidates may not be completed but whoever they choose should have the same advocacies and contribute to the betterment of the country.
Here’s a News5 video report:
[Video report]
"Sama-sama natin ihatid si Representative Colmenares sa Senado (Together let us bring Representative Colmenares to the Senate)," Escudero said in his speech.
Colmenares said he would push for nationalist industrialization, a vision he said Poe shares.
"Sinabi nga ni Senator Grace Poe, kailangan dumami ang produktong made in the Philippines, kaya isusulong natin ang makabayan at progresibomg industriyalisasyon (As Senator Grace Poe said, there has to be more products made in the Philippines, which is why we will push progressive industrialization)," Colmenares said.
In her speech, Poe outlined her platform of government, which includes increasing the budget for education and plans for inclusive growth.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/118256/video--makabayan-endorses-poe-chiz-tandem-duo-and-erap-back-colmenares
Looks like the commies have decided to throw their lot in with the presidential ticket of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero.
ReplyDeleteBayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares is a long-time CPP activist while Bayan Muna (People First) is the main CPP political front.
Makabayan is a political coalition of twelve CPP-associated party-list political parties: Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Courage, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Akap Bata, Piston, Kalikasan and Aking Bikolnon .