ANGELES CITY – Anakpawis party list Rep. Rafael Mariano has denied allegations that the on-going 10-day march of farmers from various provinces to Malacañang was calculated to boost the presidential bid of Nacionalista Party bet Sen. Manny Villar.
Several jeeploads of farmers belonging to groups allied with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Anakpawis reached Malolos City, Bulacan yesterday after spending the night at the provincial capitol in San Fernando, Pampanga in a simultaneous nationwide march dubbed as “Lakbayan ng Anakpawis para sa Lupa at Katarungan”.
Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL), said the farmers from north Luzon started their march from Hacienda Luisita owned by the family of Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. in Tarlac.
Political analysts here, however, theorized that the march, which was also started simultaneously in other parts of the country for their convergence in Mendiola, Manila near Malacañang on Jan. 22, has “political undertones” boosting Villar’s candidacy and hitting Aquino’s.
But Mariano, in an interview with Punto, said that while the farmers’ demand for genuine land reform, justice for human rights victims, and their objection to Charter change could not be detached from politics, the march had nothing to do with Villar’s presidential bid.
He said contributions from “progressive groups”, not Villar, is funding the nationwide march.
The marchers from North Luzon were led by a truck conspicuously adorned with streamers of senatorial candidate of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo who, together with Gabriela party list Rep. Lisa Masa, is running under Makabayan party list as guest candidates of Villar’s NP.
The marchers distributed leaflets zeroing in on the grievances of farmers at Hacienda Luisita and the alleged failure of Nonoy’s mother former Pres. Corazon Aquino in implementing Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). They also said their march was to mark the 23rd year anniversary of the so called Mendiola massacre also during Aquino’s term.
Sen. Aquino has consistently led presidential surveys, but a recent survey indicated that the gap between him and Villar has narrowed.
Asked about the streamers of Ocampo on the marchers’ lead vehicle, Mariano said that progressive groups are indeed “solid and organized” in backing the senatorial slate of both Ocampo and Masa.
He added, however, that militants “acknowledge Villar’s opening himself to the platforms of Ocampo and Masa” who, he stressed, will not reconcile with the Marcoses on the issue of human rights abuses during martial law and of the hidden wealth despite the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ being in the same NP senatorial slate.
Ten Most Outstanding Kapampangan awardee and local political analyst Bong Lacson noted that while the march organizers trumpet genuine land reform and justice for farmers as among their agenda for their 10-day march, there are “political undertones” boosting Villar’s camp.
Mariano said that “solid and organized” progressive groups can deliver at least 2.5 million votes to national candidates they support. He also said that the groups will also back some local candidates in various parts of the country.
The marchers from northern Luzon also distributed leaflets endorsing Ocampo as “the voice of the masses in the Senate” as well as a news release titled “Luisita tillers twit Noynoy’s ‘I will not steal’ vow”.
Several jeeploads of farmers belonging to groups allied with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Anakpawis reached Malolos City, Bulacan yesterday after spending the night at the provincial capitol in San Fernando, Pampanga in a simultaneous nationwide march dubbed as “Lakbayan ng Anakpawis para sa Lupa at Katarungan”.
Joseph Canlas, chairman of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL), said the farmers from north Luzon started their march from Hacienda Luisita owned by the family of Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. in Tarlac.
Political analysts here, however, theorized that the march, which was also started simultaneously in other parts of the country for their convergence in Mendiola, Manila near Malacañang on Jan. 22, has “political undertones” boosting Villar’s candidacy and hitting Aquino’s.
But Mariano, in an interview with Punto, said that while the farmers’ demand for genuine land reform, justice for human rights victims, and their objection to Charter change could not be detached from politics, the march had nothing to do with Villar’s presidential bid.
He said contributions from “progressive groups”, not Villar, is funding the nationwide march.
The marchers from North Luzon were led by a truck conspicuously adorned with streamers of senatorial candidate of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo who, together with Gabriela party list Rep. Lisa Masa, is running under Makabayan party list as guest candidates of Villar’s NP.
The marchers distributed leaflets zeroing in on the grievances of farmers at Hacienda Luisita and the alleged failure of Nonoy’s mother former Pres. Corazon Aquino in implementing Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). They also said their march was to mark the 23rd year anniversary of the so called Mendiola massacre also during Aquino’s term.
Sen. Aquino has consistently led presidential surveys, but a recent survey indicated that the gap between him and Villar has narrowed.
Asked about the streamers of Ocampo on the marchers’ lead vehicle, Mariano said that progressive groups are indeed “solid and organized” in backing the senatorial slate of both Ocampo and Masa.
He added, however, that militants “acknowledge Villar’s opening himself to the platforms of Ocampo and Masa” who, he stressed, will not reconcile with the Marcoses on the issue of human rights abuses during martial law and of the hidden wealth despite the candidacy of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ being in the same NP senatorial slate.
Ten Most Outstanding Kapampangan awardee and local political analyst Bong Lacson noted that while the march organizers trumpet genuine land reform and justice for farmers as among their agenda for their 10-day march, there are “political undertones” boosting Villar’s camp.
Mariano said that “solid and organized” progressive groups can deliver at least 2.5 million votes to national candidates they support. He also said that the groups will also back some local candidates in various parts of the country.
The marchers from northern Luzon also distributed leaflets endorsing Ocampo as “the voice of the masses in the Senate” as well as a news release titled “Luisita tillers twit Noynoy’s ‘I will not steal’ vow”.
