An argument ensued between ANAD and Bayan Muna after the former started accusing progressive party-lists of being communist-terrorist groups. Bayan Muna countered by criticizing ANAD for lacking programs aside from ?ejecting communists from Congress.?
BY KAREN PAPELLERO
Bulatlat
ELECTION WATCH
Vol. VII, No. 14 May 13-19, 2007
With just barely two days before the May 14 polls, the tension and anticipation in the air is becoming more and more intense.
This was especially observed in a media forum on party-list groups sponsored by a local radio station in Cebu. The representatives coming from nine party-list groups were given a few minutes to present their stand on issues in four rounds of the two-hour forum.
As the different groups presented their stand on issues and programs of government, an argument ensued when Jun Alcover, the first nominee of ANAD Partylist (Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy), a known anti-communist group, started to issue statements branding Bayan Muna (People First), Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), Gabriela Women?s Party and Kabataan Partylist as ?communist fronts? and accusing these groups, especially Bayan Muna, of supporting the New People?s Army (NPA) through their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
He also repeatedly named the four partylist groups as communist-terrorist groups who are out to deceive the people and demanded that they denounce the NPA to prove their innocence.
Bayan Muna?s Secretary General, Arman Perez, rebutted Alcover?s tirade by presenting the projects and programs of the party-list group and challenged Alcover to do the same, instead of issuing baseless accusations and empty talk.
To which Alcover answered vehemently: ?We have two programs. One is to eject all those communist, terrorist and opportunist party-lists in Congress kay mga demonyo sila ug sila ang rason nganong naglisod ang katawhan! (Because they are all demons and they are the reason that the people are in poverty.)
Meanwhile, about 20 individuals in the audience who were wearing ANAD shirts and bringing ANAD streamers jeered and booed every time Perez countered Alcover?s statements.
?Bakakon! Mangilad nasad mo!. (Liar! You are deceiving us again!) a man shouted at Perez.
?The mandate of Bayan Muna is clear as day. Our programs and plans for the poor and the marginalized will not be deterred by malicious people who are out to demonize us,? Perez declared.
On her part, Kaira Zoe Alburo, spokesperson for Gabriela Women?s party in Cebu, calmly rebutted ANAD?s accusations. ?We should not insult the intelligence of our voters who are capable of deciding and thinking for themselves; they are capable of deciphering which groups are sincere and have clear programs for the good of the many,? she said.
?Slogans are not programs. They are just empty talk,? she countered, referring to ANAD?s statements.
Having faced Jun Alcover in a few debates in the past, Jaime Paglinawan, Anakpawis Party-lists? 7th nominee, said he is no longer surprised with the declaration and ?drama? of Alcover. He said Alcover betrays himself. His accusations against progressive party-lists only prove the fact that their group has no clear agenda in addressing the basic issues facing the poor and the marginalized.
?Our members and leaders are murdered by the hundreds and yet we are not shaken, how much more the ranting of a rabid and fanatic leader of a group which survives on Malaca?ang and the military?s support and which has no other objective but to destroy us?? Paglinawan reiterated.
?In the end, the people will judge as they will cast their votes on Monday. And we are confident we will emerge victorious,? Bayan Muna?s Perez concluded. Bulatlat
