Makabayan backs 9 opposition, independent candidates for senator
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sun, 03 Mar 2019 07:29:00 +0000
The Makabayan coalition on Sunday rallied support for a mix of independent and opposition candidates aspiring for the Senate in the midterm polls in May.
The nine-man slate consists of independent candidates Sen. Grace Poe and former Sen. Serge Osmeña; Nancy Binay, president on-leave of the United Nationalist Alliance; Bayan Muna chairman, Rep. Neri Colmenares; and Otso Diretso’s Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, former Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada; Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, and former solicitor general Florin Hilbay.
Makabayan chief Satur Ocampo said the coalition chose the candidates with proven track records of public service and a fighting chance to win, while asserting “an independent and pro-people Senate.”
Ocampo clarified that he did not leave out Otso Diretso bets former Interior secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, and election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
“It’s not leaving out…we already had initial talks with them (Otso Diretso candidates) and it is not yet finished. In fact, others who would like to be endorsed may be added to the list as long as they have a clear grasp of this forge of unity,” Ocampo told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino.
With the chosen bets, the coalition aimed to put into the forefront issues such as the suspension of excise tax provision of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law; amendments to the 1987 Constitution; and resumption of the peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Among the Makabayan-endorsed candidates, only Poe, Binay, Aquino and Osmeña are most likely to enter the “Magic 12” based on pollsters Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations (SWS). GLEE JALEA
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