The Price
But the Left’s entry to mainstream politics does not come without a price.
Last Feb. 24, 2006, hours after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a State of National Emergency through Presidential Proclamation 1017, Beltran was arrested for allegedly conspiring with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) junior officers, the Magdalo soldiers, in bringing down the Arroyo government. The rest of the leftist representatives, known as the Batasan 5 who were also charged with rebellion, were detained for almost three months inside the Batasan Complex.
One With Them. Ramada mingles with ordinary folk. (davaotoday.com photo by Marilou Aguirre)
On March 16, Ocampo was arrested for multiple murder charges for allegedly killing suspected government infiltrators in the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army more than two decades ago. Ocampo has been out on bail while Beltran remains in detention, for over a year now.
Casio, meanwhile, was accused last week of having a bodyguard who is suspected to be a hitman for the New Peoples Army, a charge the congressman denies.
The Davao-based Virador, on the other hand, has been the subject of surveillance and harassment even before he became congressman.
Since 2001, close to a thousand members and leaders of these groups and their allied organizations were killed by suspected elements of the state. Others were subjected to harassment, intimidation and threats.
Ramada says that given the violence against the Left, anybody in his position would be afraid given the series of serious attacks against the Left.
“I am not exempted from becoming the next victim, he says. But, in the midst of these fears, I am determined to show the people what an alternative really means, that genuine service, to me, means continuing the principles that have long been advanced by progressive organizations and to be consistent in criticizing laws, policies and issues that are anti-people.”
Previous Attempts
The Left’s first attempt to form a political party and participate in mainstream politics was in 1947. The old Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) and the guerrilla army Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan (HMB), after giving up armed struggle, participated in the elections under the Democratic Alliance. There were six candidates who were elected in Congress.
The six legislators vehemently opposed the changing of the Constitution which would allow parity rights to the Americans. Because of that, they were charged with “electoral terrorism.”
They were also harassed by the Roxas government at that time, charging them with using force in winning in Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon, places that are known strongholds of the HMB. As harassments continued against them, they were compelled to return to the revolutionary armed movement.
The Left’s second attempt was in 1987 when it formed the Partido ng Bayan (People’s Party or PnB). But that same year, PnB’s president, labor leader Rolando Olalia, was murdered. During that election period alone, 35 members of PnB were killed. Its founding chair, Jose Maria Sison, was forced to go on exile in the Netherlands after the Aquino government canceled his passport.
Comeback
With the Left’s comeback in 2001 through Bayan Muna, it gave a strong message that they are not conceding that electoral politics only belongs to the traditional politicians and reactionaries. Bringing the people’s agenda in legislation is the Left’s way of breaking the monopoly of traditional politicians.
Once in the legislation, the only promise they could give to the people, according to Ramada, is that they will go back in the communities, to areas where their services are needed, to be always in the midst of the oppressed. They would also continue establishing relationships with other political leaders so that they too will hear and support the different sentiments of the people.
“Participating in the electoral politics is simply not out of my personal desire, Ramada points out. It is more of sacrificing my life to serve the people within or outside the City Council. (Marilou M. Aguirre/davaotoday.com, with a report from Bulatlat.com)
2007 Elections
