Photo courtesy of Arkibong Bayan
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Aside from senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares, the Makabayan Coalition has announced the endorsement of eight more candidates it will support in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.
In a statement, the Makabayan Coalition said the nine senatorial candidates are ideal for the formation of an independent Senate.
“The upcoming elections give us the opportunity to elect to the Senate men and women of proven competence and integrity who can assert the Senate’s independence and push for laws that favor our people,” the group pointed out.
The group added that it is high time to call for an independent Senate as checks and balances in the three branches of the government is currently problematic.
“In these times of massive poverty, escalating efforts to stifle dissent and a rising threat of dictatorship, where impunity reigns and the system of checks and balances among the Executive, Judiciary and Legislative branches of government is in peril, we need an independent Senate.”
The group has endorsed five candidates from the opposition senatorial slate Otso Diretso including reelectionist Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Mindanaoan civic leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, former Solicitor General Florin “Pilo” Hilbay, and ex-Quezon congressman Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada.
They also endorsed former Senator Sergio “Serge Osmeña and reelectionist Senators Grace Poe and Sen. Nancy Binay.
Makabayan has supported all nine candidates who for them have “proven track record of public service and a fighting chance to win.”
The group said they will be working with the candidates on the following key issues:
1. The suspension or repeal of the excise tax provision of the TRAIN Law;
2. Opposition to Charter Change and similar self-serving, draconian and anti-Filipino amendments to the Constitution;
3. Respect for women and upholding human rights and due process for all Filipinos;
4. Upholding our sovereignty and rights in the West PH Sea;
5. Resumption of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
“We hope that through this endorsement, Makabayan can contribute to the formation of a coalition of independent and opposition candidates that can provide our people the best hope for an independent and pro-people Senate,” the Makabayan Coalition added. (davaotoday.com)
