”We are happy to declare today the endorsement of Makabayan
to the candidacies of Grace Poe as president and Chiz Escudero as vice
president of the Philippines,” Makabayan president Satur Ocampo read in a
prepared statement at the Quezon City Sports Club.
Makabayan, a progressive coalition, is composed of Sulong
Katribu, ACT Teachers Party List, Migrante, Gabriela Women’s Partylist, Bayan
Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan Partylist and Piston.
Ocampo said Makabayan decided to support the candidacies of
Poe and Escudero after the two leading candidates expressed commitment to
support the coalition’s nine platforms of government.
Among the platforms of government that the group is pushing
include the industrialization that would create more jobs; address the problems
on land and agriculture sector; wages and security of tenure; and, expansion of
public education, health and housing.
Makabayan and Poe-Escudero tandem also agreed to respect the
human rights; push the peace talks not only with the Muslim rebels but communist
groups; protection of environment and victims of calamities; protection of
territory and exclusive economic zones without relying to other countries; and,
transparent government and foreign policies.
”We’re hoping that they will uphold and would not renounce
their commitment,” Ocampo said, referring to the two senators.
Makabayan vice chairman Lisa Maza said their coalition
believes that Poe would be able to lead the country based on her good record as
public servant.
Maza cited the Poe’s accomplishments in the investigation of
the Mamasapano incident, passage of Freedom of Information Bill, and for
protecting the Lumads.
On the disqualification cases filed against Poe, Maza said
Makabayan believes that the lady senator is legally qualified to run for president.
Makabayan’s lone senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares
belittled the disqualification cases, saying Poe is a natural-born Filipino
based on international law which states that the parents of a foundling were
presumed citizens of a country where a foundling child was found.
”According to the international law, Poe’s parents are
presumed Filipinos, therefore Senator Grace Poe is a Filipino,” Colmenares, a
lawyer, said.
”It is my pleasure Ka Satur, Ma’am Lisa, and to all the
members of the Makabayan, I humbly appreciate your endorsement for my candidacy
and to the candidacy of Senator Grace Poe,” Escudero said in his acceptance
speech.
Poe thanked Makabayan for the support not only in 2016 but
in 2013 when she ran and won as No. 1 senator.
”We are one in promoting industrialization and support our
farmers, quality education, peace talks, healthy citizens, better public
transportation and infrastructure, better wages, lower income tax for low
income earners, protection of overseas Filipino workers and fight against graft
and corruption,” Poe said.
”Today I ask for your prayer and guidance. Although what we
are fighting for are not exactly the same, I’m sure that all of us love our
nation,” she added.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=823701
The commies officially back the Poe-Escudero ticket. MAKABAYAN is a Communist Party of the Philippines-associated political coalition. The group's website asserts that MAKABAYAN is made up of some twelve "progressive" political parties vice the eight referenced in the article above. Member parties reportedly include Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Courage, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Akap Bata, Piston, Kalikasan at Aking Bikolnon. See http://www.makabayan.net/
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