It is important not to compromise their principles, the two “senatoriables” from the progressie sector said. Since one of their platforms is good governance, part of it is holding public officials — either past or present — accountable. This includes achieving justice for the victims of human-rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship.

Text and photos by JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — Blue and pink streamers filled the streets of Intramuros last week as hundreds of supporters joined Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza in filing their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections.

Ocampo and Maza were supposed to run as guest candidates of the Nacionalista Party until the said political party tied up with the Marcoses’ Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). In a recent press briefing, the two progressive “senatoriables” declared that they would run as independent candidates.

“We are not in a position to demand anyone from being removed from their senatorial slate,” Ocampo said. He said that most of the senatorial lineup of the “presidentiables” are coming from various parties, even describing it as “pangangahoy.” Ocampo said that their aim in considering being with the Nacionalista Party was to find a platform closest to theirs.

Ocampo also explained that since the election next year is a presidential one, it was preferable to run as guest candidates of a presidential. When the KBL and NP decided to coalesce, that was no longer tenable, he said.

Maza said it is important not to compromise their principles. She said that since one of their platforms on good governance, part of it is holding public officials, either past or present, accountable. This includes achieving justice for the victims of human-rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship.

But he assured that despite running as independent candidates, they would still have enough resources to launch a nationwide campaign.

“In our experience in the partylist elections, we still succeeded despite the black propaganda, abduction and killings of the members of our grassroots organizations,” Ocampo said.

Maza said that they have three million strong and committed members. She hopes that, from this, support would multiply to get enough votes to win seats in the Senate. (Bulatlat.com)

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