DAVAO CITY – Progressive lawmakers congratulated President-elect Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on his overwhelming victory in the elections held Monday, May 9.
“The Filipino people have loudly and vigorously spoken – sweeping change must come. That victory of an unorthodox presidential candidate coming from Mindanao has certainly redefined the country’s political landscape,” said lawmakers Rep. Neri Colmenares and Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate in a statement.
Bayan Muna partylist said Duterte’s victory must be seen “as an outright repudiation of the Aquino administration and the anti-people and elitist establishment it represents.”
“We are one with the people in hoping that President Duterte upon assuming office will soon address the myriad but basic problems confronting our country, that of mass poverty, landlessness and joblessness, of rampant criminality, corruption and environmental plunder, and of violations of human rights and the country’s sovereignty,” the lawmakers said.
Talk with rebels soon, Duterte told
Bayan Muna said they expect Duterte to immediately jumpstart and pursue in earnest the long stalled negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the Moro revolutionary forces to address the root causes of war and forge just peace.
“We call on President Duterte to build a government of national unity and social transformation to emancipate the people from mass poverty and social injustices and bring progress to the people,” they said.
Gabriela: address demands of women
Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party, who is on the second top spot of the partylist elections said the victory of Duterte “reflects the decision of the majority of the voters to reject the lies, corruption, use of taxpayers’ money for buying influence and votes, the injustice and puppetry to foreign interests of the Aquino Administration.”
Rep. Emmi de Jesus said they call on Duterte to address the immediate demands of women, including:
· Hold President Benigno Aquino III, and his cohorts, accountable to the corruption, violence and criminal neglect that caused the sufferings and loss of lives of women and people.
· Create regular jobs in rural and urban areas.
· Suspend all ongoing privatization of public services and utilities.
· Promote the rights of marginalized women, children, LGBT and PWDs.
· End US military intervention via EDCA and other military agreements.
· Release all political prisoners and immediately start the peace negotiations.
“These are the minimum set of challenges that the GWP is presenting to the incoming administration. We will remain vigilant and pro-active in advancing the cause of women in all levels of society,” she said.
Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party are members of the Makabayan coalition, which backed Duterte’s rival, independent candidate, Senator Grace Poe.
Senator Poe was the first to concede to Duterte’s winning midnight of Tuesday, May 10. (davaotoday.com)
