ALMOST FULL SLATE Makabayan bloc members file their candidacies on Friday. —RICHARD A. REYES
Eleven bets from the Makabayan bloc, two longtime labor leaders and a road safety advocate joined two members of the country’s prominent political families—House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar and Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay—in filing their certificates of candidacies for senator on Friday.
The Makabayan bloc is a mixture of former and current party list representatives and leaders of grassroots and sectoral groups belonging to the “national democratic mass organizations,” which are often Red-tagged by the military and the government for refusing to condemn the Maoist armed struggle.
Learned from the past
Speaking for Makabayan, former Bayan Muna party list representative and current Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chair Teodoro Casiño said the group had learned its lesson from previous senatorial elections and decided to field a near-full slate.
Aside from Casiño, the other Makabayan candidates are incumbent Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro, former Gabriela party list Reps. Arlene Brosas and Lisa Maza, Kilusang Mayo Union secretary general Jerome Adonis, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas vice chair Ronnel Arambulo, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chair Danilo Ramos, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide chair Modesto Floranda, Filipino Nurses United secretary general Jocelyn Andamo, Sandugo Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination co-chair Amirah Lidasan and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) secretary general Mimi Doringo.
Political families
The challenge for the group, according to Casiño, is to reach out to more voters who are tired of traditional politics, despite limited campaign resources.
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Villar, a two-term representative of Las Piñas and current House deputy speaker, was accompanied by her father, former Senate President Manny Villar and brother, incumbent Sen. Mark Villar.
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“I believe I can offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to help build a brighter people for our generation and those to come,” the 39-year-old lawmaker said.
Villar said her platforms include sustainable jobs, support for startup entrepreneurs, education and housing.
Asked about her belonging to a political dynasty, she replied, “What is important to remember is that we were all elected officials—my father, my mother and my brother. We are thankful for [the voters’] continuing support and trust on the Villar family. What we really desire is to help more people.”
Binay, on the other hand, said she made a decision to run for senator despite the campaign being “nerve-wracking.”
“I don’t know if I’m mentally ready to run for a national position. I prefer to be very private. In 2013, my father offered for me to run for the Senate and I declined simply because I value my privacy. You live under a microscope, [scrutinized on] social media, and there’s also bullying. That’s why it took me several years to decide and say, let’s run for the Senate,” she said. INQ
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