MANILA — “There is a grand scheme to prevent our party list from winning and/or adding more seats in Congress and Malaca?ang’s dirty hands are behind it. This is the biggest travesty of the partylist system.”
This was the statement of Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party during a press conference this morning exposing an alleged campaign plan against Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan, Suara Bangsamoro and other partylists.
In a confidential official memorandum dated 16 October 2006 signed by Asst. Secretary Marcelo Fari?as II, the objectives of the said campaign were to ensure the winning of pro-administration party lists and to contribute in the over-all campaign to substantially reduce the number of “left-leaning and anti-administration parties” like Gabriela in the House of Representatives. It also reveals the formation of a special concerns group by the Office of the External Affairs (OAE) under the Office of the President.
“This scheme therefore complements the disqualification case against our parties and the killings and harassment of our members and supporters. The tragedy of this all is that not only is this scheme out to shove us out of Congress but it is robbing the underprivileged Filipinos of their right to be represented as enshrined in the party list system,” said. Maza.
Among the identified pro-administration parties are Babae Para sa Kaunlaran (Babae Ka), Agbiag Timpuyog Ilocano, League of Youth for Peace and Development (LYPAD) and Kalahi Advocates for Overseas Filipinos. Farinas was requesting funding support for the said special concerns group which will run these parties.
“The registration and entry of these partylists in this elections, with funding and support from Malacanang, grossly violates the provisions of the Party List Law and the Constitution,” said Maza.
The Gabriela solon urged that investigations be conducted on pro-administration candidates and on the OEA.
“Malaca?ang may have the resources but we have the people’s support as shown by our consistent top rank in all surveys. For all we care, Malaca?ang can do cartwheels or eat fire just to keep us out of Congress. But by July this year, Gabriela will take our rightful seats in the House together with Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan and Suara Bangsamoro,” Maza concluded. davaotoday.com
