“In a time when tyranny rules and the son of the dictator wants to return to power, Leni and Kiko stood tall as a genuine opposition force. They embody our best chance at frustrating the Marcos-Duterte tandem,” Makabayan said in Filipino.

Senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares earlier announced in an online event on Jan. 28 that Makabayan, which he co-chairs, is supporting Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, who is running for vice president. Colmenares has also been included in the senatorial slate of 1Sambayan, a group of civic leaders that aims to unite the opposition for the elections.

As it stands, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator, is the leading presidential aspirant, per recent polls. He still has pending disqualification cases before the Commission on Elections.

“Our lives, democracy, and our future as a nation are among those at stake in the coming elections. Are we going to allow darkness to rule? Or are we going to push back to uplift the country? The answer is clear. Our choice is clear,” said Makabayan.

Apart from frustrating the return of Marcoses to power, leaders of Makabayan discussed common issues ranging from social, political, and electoral reforms that served as bases for their endorsement for Robredo and Pangilinan.

These include the pandemic response, ending contractualization, genuine agrarian reform, reviewing cases against political prisoners, pursuing peace talks, protecting human rights and the environment, to name a few.

Makabayan also pointed out the return of the ABS-CBN franchise, which is considered as one of the biggest blows to press freedom under President Duterte.

During the online briefing, Makabayan leaders emphasized the importance of looking into the platforms of presidential aspirants.

Colmenares said Makabayan’s own platform is also their basis of unity with many communities supporting them. Knowing that a political party carries their issues and concerns, he added, “inspire people to campaign.”

“You cannot order them around,” he added.

Meanwhile, Robredo and Pangilinan, through a statement sent out by lawyer Barry Gutierez, said that they are ready cooperate with the 10 issues pointed out by Makabayan. This, he said, “paves way for a more deeper unity for the betterment of the Filipino people.”

Makabayan is composed of partylist groups Bayan Muna, ACT Teachers Partylist, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan Party and Anakpawis Partylist.

Progressives back Leni, Kiko in 2022 polls

MANILA – A week before the start of the campaign period, senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares said that the Makabayan coalition supports Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan who are running for president and vice president, respectively, in the upcoming elections.

“This is based on our united position on key issues such as the pandemic response, improving the lives of workers, farmers, the poor, and the indigenous peoples, the environment, human rights, and the pursuit of peace and sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and the entire country,” Colmenares, who sits as chairperson of the Makabayan Coalition, said in an online event organized by 1Sambayan on Jan. 28.

Colmenares has been included in the senatorial slate of 1Sambayan, a group of advocates and civic leaders who are working on uniting the opposition in this coming 2022 elections. He will be joining the rest of the senatorial aspirants that 1Sambayan is endorsing namely Sen. Leila de Lima, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, former senator Antonio Trillanes, former lawmaker Teddy Baguilat, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, and lawyers Alex Lacson, and Sonny Matula.

In her previous media interviews, Robredo has expressed her stand on issues affecting the people, including peace talks, mining, poverty, and issues concerning the workers such as contractualization – an electoral promise of President Duterte, which he failed to end under his administration.

Robredo, for her part, welcomed the continuing efforts of 1Sambayan to gain the momentum for candidates that they are endorsing, adding that she did not expect to be able to unite candidates that come from various walks in life.

“We were able to prove that we are bonded by our dream and love for our country,” Robredo said.

Meanwhile, in a Huntahan episode with Bulatlat, Colmenares revealed that the presidential candidacy of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator, was an important component that paved the way for unity between the Makabayan and Robredo camp.

Colmenares said during the 1Sambayan event, “I am resolute that with our united strength, we can defeat the darkness that perpetuates tyranny and crooked governance.”

Janess Ann J. Ellao
Jonas Alpasan

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