Bayan Muna Gears for
2007 Elections
As it gears for next
year’s congressional polls, Bayan Muna (BM) continues to campaign against
charter change, a divisive issue in Congress. Fresh from celebrating its 7th
anniversary, BM hopes to top the elections for the third time.
By Reyna Mae Tabbada
Bulatlat
“Di mapipigilan
ang pagsikat ng araw” (The sun is bound to rise).
The statement echoed
through the halls of the Bahay ng Alumni in the University of the
Philippines Diliman campus during the 7th anniversary of the
Bayan Muna (People First) political party last Oct. 10. Different chapters
from the party’s formations in Metro Manila, together with a number of
people’s organizations, were enjoined in the momentous event that may not
be far from being classified as an early start of the group’s campaign for
the critical May 2007 national elections.
Rep. Satur C. Ocampo,
who is also the President of Bayan Muna, gave the framework that shaped
the party’s prospects for the coming election. Ocampo identified the
expansion of the party as one of the positive developments in their
political campaign.
He also mentioned the
continuing struggle to resist the misguided intentions of the
Arroyo-backed Charter Change (Cha-Cha) as the most immediate of the
different issues that Bayan Muna is tackling.
 |
THE SUN STILL SHINES: Bayan Muna leaders raise their fists in
celebration of what they described as the party-list group’s tenacity
amid seven years of political persecution and repression, Oct. 10
PHOTO BY
REYNA TABBADA |
To top the
election once more
Since the party’s
establishment and its subsequent entry into national politics, Bayan Muna
has emerged as the topnotcher in the partylist elections in 2001 and 2004.
The party garnered more votes than needed to obtain the three seats
accorded to party-list groups in the Congress.
For the party’s
outlook in the coming election, Ocampo highlighted the dedication of its
members in advancing the causes of Bayan Muna. He pointed out that the
same commitment is expected for the 2007 debacle. “Inaasahan na mas
masigasig ang mga miyembro sa pangangampanya (We expect our members to
be more assertive in campaigning),” Ocampo said during an interview with
Bulatlat.
Several more chapters
were also added to the long list of communities where the presence of
Bayan Muna can be felt, boosting the party’s chances to replicate their
victory in the last two elections.
Resisting Cha-cha
Asked on what the
party would present as the central theme of their campaign, the main
issues and concerns which Bayan Muna would focus on, Ocampo answered: “Sa
ngayon ang pangunahing laban talaga ay ang Cha-Cha (As of now, the
biggest struggle is about Cha-Cha).”
The debate on Cha-Cha
is one of the most divisive issues that currently confront Congress, he
added. The administration and the opposition are in a stand-off about the
sensitive process of revising the Constitution. The proponents of Cha-Cha
see its realization as very crucial that they even resort to bribery. And
some are only too willing to sell their support, Ocampo said.
When questioned by
Bulatlat if he had personally encountered such a scenario, Rep. Ocampo
replied, “Hindi kami naghahabol. Hindi kami hinahabol (We don’t
seek them. They don’t seek us.).”
Another major
campaign which Bayan Muna helped stage is the ouster of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Ocampo admitted that although the impetus for that specific fight has
passed, it does not mean that the party has abandoned the struggle.
“Tignan natin ang
mangyayari (Let’s see what unfolds),” he surmised as the halls are
slowly filled with their supporters. Bulatlat
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