3 opposition Senate bets get support of cause-oriented group for 2019 polls
CAUSE-oriented group “Tindig Pilipinas” on Friday endorsed three opposition senatorial aspirants for the 2019 elections.
They are Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Marawi civic leader Samira “Sam” Gutoc-Tomawis, and Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, former Dean of the College of Law of De La Salle University.
“We have decided to engage in the 2019 elections. But we will not do this for the sake of personal gain. We do this in order to give the citizens an alternative,” Tindig Pilipinas said in a statement.
The group said it was “heartened” by the rising opposition after continuously fighting for people’s rights and well-being.
“After a year of fighting for the people’s rights, we have learned what we require of our leaders now—fealty to their promises, an untainted track record, competence and wisdom,” Tindig Pilipinas said.
Tomawis and Diokno said they were nominees for the Liberal Party (LP) chaired by Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, while Alejano may serve as a guest candidate in the opposition coalition.
Despite their absence in Social Weather Stations (SWS) surveys, the three reiterated that what they were after was the “sentiment of the public” instead of “figures.”
“I am not looking at surveys. What I am looking at is the sentiment of the public…I did not even run while worrying about lack of funds. Our basis is how we can help the people,” Alejano said.
Alejano, who has served two terms at the House of Representatives, currently represents the sector of former and retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
He was also part of the Oakwood Mutiny and the Manila Peninsula siege, along with then Navy Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes 4th and other rebel soldiers, who tried to overthrow then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Tomawis, a former member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), aims to be the first woman senator from Marawi who can bring voice to the Muslim women and youth from Mindanao.
She had exposed human rights violations in Marawi where she spearheaded relief operations for her fellow residents.
“[I plan to] increase my social media awareness and relevance in various sectors. The nation needs to know about a woman from UP Diliman and Marawi who wants to give back to the country,” Tomawis told The Manila Times.
Diokno aims to strengthen the justice system in the country, having experienced the injustice of Martial Law himself, especially when his father, the late senator Jose “Pepe” Diokno, was arrested under the Marcos regime.
“In my opinion, violence is not the correct solution to criminality and corruption in the country. Our justice system is weak. It is clear to me that we should strengthen it so that everyone is able to uphold their rights, rich or poor,” Diokno told The Times.
Tindig Pilipinas also endorsed reelectionist Senator Paolo “Bam” Aquino Jr. and former Quezon Rep. Erin Tanada who were not in the event. Together with Diokno, the LP had previously presented them as the first three official candidates for the 2019 elections.
Robredo said the opposition coalition would announce the full list of its senatorial candidates on October 24.
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