Different sectors, one objective: Let Leni win. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BALANGA CITY — A multisectoral group comprising the Alternative Politics (AlterPol) Movement in Bataan on Tuesday made a public launch of their endorsement of Vice President Leni Robredo as their presidential candidate in the May 2022 elections.
Derek Cabe, AlterPol-Bataan spokesperson, said the first day of the campaign period will be very colorful, noisy and with fiesta-like atmosphere but they chose a campaign without drama but that will focus on the platform of the leaders they have chosen.
“Ang AlterPol Movement ay isang kampanyang pangmasa na binubuo ng mga mamamayan gaya ng mga sectoral organization tulad ng mga mangingisda, magsasaka, manggagawa, kabataan, mga mamamayang tinatanggalan ng mga bahay, miyembro ng mga environmental organization, at mga kasamahang tsuper,” she said.
“Ito ang hudyat para ikampanya ang mga kandidatong naniniwala kami na kaisa namin para sa pagtatanggol sa karapatan at paglaban sa panunupil at pagtataguyod sa demokrasya at ito si VP Leni Robredo at ang kanyang tropa,” Cabe noted.
AlterPol–Bataan is also endorsing the candidacies of Senator Kiko Pangilinan for vice president and Chel Diokno, Risa Hontiveros, Leila De Lima, Teddy Baguilat, and Sonny Trillanes for senators.
Lawyer Dante Ilaya of Nuclear–Free Bataan Movement said they saw in Robredo a candidate who can stand for human rights and for the welfare of the poor especially in times of calamities and disasters.
“Kung nasaan ang kalamidad, nandoon si VP Leni,” Ilaya said.
“Only one has the balls and that is Leni Robredo. Matibay na naninindigan upang isulong ang kapakanan ng mamamayan. Hindi ko sinasabi na perpektong kandidato sa pagka-presidente si Leni ngunit ihanay ninyo ang mga kandidato sa pagkapangulo at sasabihin ko Robredo is the best candidate for president. Kaya tuloy tayo, ipaglaban natin si Leni Robredo,” Ilaya added.
Mario Tayo of the Alyansa ng Magsasaka sa Bataan narrated of the long years of sufferings of farmers that he is confident will be given solution by Robredo.
“Maganda ang track record ni VP Leni na ibig sabihin ay walang bahid ng korupsiyon. Pangalawa, ang kanyang panunungkuan ay walang ginawang pagsupil sa mga karapatan ng mamamayan. Pangatlo, tunay na nagdadala ng interes at kapakanan ng mga mamamayan at mabilis na pag-aksiyon sa mga nangangailangan,” Emily Fajardo of the labor sector said.
Edlyn Rosales of the fisherfolk sector said the track record of Robredo is what they were looking for in the presidential candidate they will support. “Ang mga criteria na hinahanap ng AlterPol nakita namin kay VP Leni.”
Cris Mira of the Bataan Transport Federation trusts that Robredo will be able to solve the oil-price hike plaguing the transport industry. The transport leader also believed that once Robredo becomes president, she will not implement the jeepney phaseout.
He recalled that during a big flood in Bataan, the Office of the Vice-President sent them relief goods even without them asking.
“Hindi pa naman namin nakakausap si VP Leni ay pinadalhan na kami at ayaw umano nito na kakausapin pa dahil naramdaman na nito na wala kaming makain. Alam ni VP Leni kung gaano kahirap ang transport,” Mira said.
“Iba kako ang ugali ng taong ito. Siya lang ang pwede nating malapitan. Hindi pa nagdedeklara gumagawa na, siguro much more kung siya na ang pangulo natin at nagdeklara siya ng siya ay lalaban kaya kami sa Bataan nag-volunteer na kami. Hindi kailangang kausapin pa kami ni VP Leni,” Mira added.
Roberto Venturina, another transport leader, said that Robredo has been helping them. “May pangako sa amin at palagay naman namin ay hindi ito makakalimutan na kung siya ang mananalong presidente ay hindi na itutuloy ang jeepney phaseout.”
At the end of a short program, members of the AlterPol pledged to follow the “Panata ng Demokrasya” and signed it.
