This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VII, No. 2, Feb. 13, 2007
Progressive Partylist Groups Start Electoral
Campaign
PHOTOS
BY AUBREY MAKILAN At the start of the
campaign for the May 14 elections, progressive partylist groups vying
for seats in the House of Representatives have started doing the rounds
to make known their platforms and programs. Bayan Muna Rep. Satur
Ocampo crammed himself into the Light Rail Transit (LRT), walked inside the
train and shook hands with passengers. He also handed out roses to women while
explaining the partylist system. But the LRT administration prohibited the
distribution of Bayan Muna flyers inside the LRT premises. Early this morning, the
Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) handed out symbolical hearts and flowers to women
in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The activity was dubbed as “Mahalin mo ako:
A vote for Gabriela is a vote against violence!” GWP also joined Migrante
International and the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME) in a
rally at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The
protesters in a motorcade proceeded to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE)
in Intramuros, Manila. Meanwhile, the Suara
Bangsamoro (Voice of the Moro People) Partylist wooed their Moro brothers and
sisters in Muslim communities in Quiapo and Taguig. In the afternoon, Bayan
Muna, GWP, Suara Bangsamoro, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Partylist and Kabataan
(Youth) Party will be having an joint rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.
The five partylist groups will also be having a major campaign in Rizal on Feb.
14. Bayan Muna, which first ran for
Congress in 2001, topped the partylist race that year. It competed for
the second time in 2004 and once again emerged as the topnotcher with
all their first three nominees gaining seats as they did in 2001.
Meanwhile, Anakpawis currently has two representatives in Congress,
while GWP has one. Bulatlat © 2007 Bulatlat
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Posted Feb.