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Party-list solons form coalition for 2010 polls


A coalition of party-list lawmakers on Thursday applied for accreditation at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to fortify their plans in the 2010 elections, including running for the Senate. “Gusto namin hindi lang sa mababang kapulungan magkaroon ng representative ‘yung mga marginalized sectors kundi sa Senado at sa ibang level ng government para magka-boses sila hindi lang sa party-list system," said Gabriela party-list Representative Lisa Maza. (We want the marginalized sector in the society to be represented not only through the party-list system at the House but also in the Senate as well as in other levels of government.) Maza – along with Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño – filed the accreditation of their political coalition, Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan). The three lawmakers said they would join in the 2010 senatorial race with the possibility of joining the line-ups of any presidential candidate from the opposition camp. “Hindi kami mapipigilan sa objective na palawakin pa ang participation ng tinatawag na maliliit na mga mamamayan sa iba’t ibang antas ng government sa Senado at sa local government. Ito ang aming intention sa simula pa at sa bisa ng coalition ay mas magiging matibay ito bilang isang kanlungan ng aming pagkandidato," Ocampo said. (We’ll push through with our objective to expand the participation of the marginalized sector in the society to various levels of the government. This has been our intention ever since, and this coalition will strengthen our candidacy.) Casiño, for his part, said the filing for accreditation showed that they are serious with their aim. “Dadalhin namin ang representasyon ng mga mahihirap, hindi lang sa Kongreso kundi sa Senado (We’ll represent the poor to the Senate," he said. Other members of the coalition are the Alliance for Concerned Teachers (ACT), Migrante International (Migrante), Anakpawis, Kabataan and the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage). Maita Gomez, the coalition’s co-chairperson, said this would be the first time that congressmen from the party-list bloc would target Senate seats. AnakPawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, another Makabayan co-chairperson, said they are now talking with several presidential aspirants from the opposition. - GMANews.TV

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