Makabayan’s final pitch: Bring ‘real change,’ people’s issues to Senate
Metro Manila, Philippines - Makabayan candidates urged voters to choose those who would bring “real change” to the Senate as they firmly pushed in addressing people’s issues in their final grand rally in Quezon City on Friday evening, May 9.
Makabayan president Liza Maza emphasized that the communities they have visited have shown a “warm reception” to their campaign amid low voter preference rates for their slate in pre-election surveys.
“Hindi po tayo humihinto sa eleksyon — may eleksyon man o wala patuloy nating isusulong ang pambansang demoktratikong agenda ng mamamayan,” said Maza, a former lawmaker and ex-lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
[Translation: We don't stop after elections — elections or not, we continue to push for the national democratic agenda of the masses.]
“Wag tayo maniwala,” Incumbent Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas also said of pre-election surveys. “Dapat baguhin natin ang lipunan na meron tayo at baguhin natin ang kalagayan ng ating mahihirap.”
[Translation: We should not believe these pre-election surveys. We should change our society and the conditions of the poor.]
The 11-member Makabayan senatorial slate and their party-list groups marched with their supporters along Tomas Morato Extension, shouting various sectoral calls, before their three-hour miting de avance filled with protest songs and performances.
Farmer Danilo Ramos recited a poem addressing agricultural issues, while Moro activist Amirah Lidasan and fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo performed Gloc 9’s famous and politically-charged song “Upuan.”
Other Makabayan bets are labor leader Jerome Adonis, healthcare worker and advocate Alyn Andamo, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, former lawmaker Teddy Casiño, urban poor leader Mimi Doringo, and transport group leader Mody Floranda.
Party-list groups under the coalition are ACT Teachers, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Health Workers, and Kabataan.
Bets: Impeachment vs. Marcos a ‘diversionary tactic’
Some of the Makabayan bets also believed Duterte Youth Party-list’s impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a “diversionary tactic” days ahead of the May 12 elections.
Duterte Youth Party-list chairperson Ronald Cardema is trying again to file an impeachment complaint against Marcos for allowing his predecessor to be arrested by the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity linked to the former administration's bloody war on drugs.
READ: Duterte Youth to file impeachment rap vs Marcos next week after failed attempt
“It doesn't serve any purpose kasi imposible maaksyunan ito ng Kongreso [because it would be impossible for the Congress to act on it], we have probably less than two weeks of session days,” Casiño said.
He added this was a “desperate attempt to get attention” as they believed the ICC arrest was an obligation of the Philippine government.
Castro also said the “true issue” that must be addressed was the alleged confidential fund misuse of Vice President Sara Duterte. The Makabayan coalition is in favor of Duterte’s impeachment.
“Tingin ko may bigat ‘yong impeachment complaint kay Sara Duterte,” she said. “Nasa amin ang testimony, ‘yong mga under oath, sinabi ng aming mga resource person during the hearing ay matibay na mga ebidensiya.”
[Translation: The impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte has weight. The testimonies from those under oath and revealed by resource persons during congressional hearings are solid pieces of evidence.]
Senate President Chiz Escudero previously said the Senate may convene as an impeachment court and begin the vice president's trial on July 30.
