UNA versus Liberal Party in 2013

Vice President Jejomar Binay announced the establishment of the United Nationalist Alliance or UNA--the political party which sprung from the merger of two (2) parties: Binay's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former president Joseph Estrada's Partido ng Masang Pilipino. 


The announcement is not premature since it is only a few months prior to the 2013 Senatorial or mid-term elections and any candidate who is dead serious in running for a Senate slot should, by now, already campaigning silently in major cities and provinces. 


Sources say Binay told his allies inside the Aquino administration that the party will still welcome the inclusion of several of the LP candidates provided that the administration party finalizes its slate. However, up to presstime, no such final slate yet.


President Noynoy Aquino already intimated his desire to re-field the 2010 Senatorial slate, to be led by former Congressman Ruffy Biazon. Biazon, according to sources, is still undecided. His father, however, Senator Biazon is the one who wants to get back his old post. Several former candidates are also still undecided. There is a possibility that SLAMMATLORD will not be able to form another slate. The possibility is, it probably only be Mano Po, or Slamatpo.


Anyway, the slate of Binay is strong since it consists of former legislators, re-electionists, and new names who has the political clout already to win. 


The preliminary UNA slate consists of former Senator Migz Zubiri who already started his campaign using the Philippine National Red Cross.


The other one, Mitos Magsaysay, who seems unable to shake off her pro-Gloria tag. 


The rest are shoo-ins: JV Ejercito, Jack Enrile, Joey de Venecia, Ernesto Maceda and re-electionists: Greg Honasan, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal. The only new name here is Nancy Binay, eldest daughter of the Vice President. 


Of course, in politics, everything is pretty fluid. This will still change based on surveys. 


Now, in the administration side, you have Riza Hontiveros, Ruffy Biazon and Danny Lim as possible candidates. With at least five re-electionists, the only available slots for new comers would be seven. 


The thing to be considered is this--is it worth it? Is it worth the effort of someone to gun for a senatorial slot when the odds are going against new comers?

PLM Ka Sonny Melencio reacts on AKBAYAN's statement re Ronald Llamas appointment as Political Adviser of Noynoy Aquino

I am publishing here a response from Ka Sonny Melencio of the Partido Lakas ng Masa. Melencio reacts on the press statement given by the Akbayan on the recent appointment of Ronald Llamas as Noynoy Aquino's Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs. I will be publishing the AKBAYAN Statement in full and Melencio's response to this.

From: Emmanuel Hizon <sashaninel@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 20, 2011 at 3:23 PM
Subject: [FOA Forum] On President Aquino’s choice of Akbayan Leader Ronald Llamas as Presidential Adviser
To: akbayanforum@googlegroups.com, friends_of_akbayan_forum@googlegroups.com

January 20, 2011

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact Person:

Percival Cendana, Akbayan Chairperson @ 0917 828 1030

On President Aquino’s choice of Akbayan Leader Ronald Llamas as Presidential Adviser

We, from Akbayan welcome the announcement of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III concerning the naming of our very own, Akbayan President Ronald Llamas as one of his Presidential Advisers. We are honored by this pronouncement as it proves once more the sincerity, intensity and expertise of our leaders and of our political party in working towards the fulfillment of our people’s aspiration of a democratic and people-oriented government committed to reforms.

But beyond this, we warmly receive the announcement, as it is politically extraordinary if not refreshing in many ways.

First, Presidential advisers are usually party mates of the incumbent President to guarantee that political policies are aligned with his/her principles and vision. The decision of President Aquino to name a presidential adviser from its coalition partner attests to the government’s pluralist and democratic character of governing. It demonstrates the Aquino government’s willingness to democratize and empower the field of governance unlike the previous administration, which greedily consolidated power among themselves, greatly putting the people in the fringes of state governance.

Second, the choice of a reputed progressive leader hailing from the democratic left shows that President Aquino can actually go beyond partisan ideological politics and extend its hand of solidarity to forces of change willing and fully committed in meaningfully contributing in the deepening of democracy, the eradication of corruption and the fulfillment of indispensable reforms.

More so, it also displays that the democratic left is a serious and relevant political actor capable of making its mark on the political process and in becoming a significant force of change, contributing towards and firmly establishing the hegemony of the people’s interest through participatory democracy and governance.  

As such, we fully support President Aquino’s choice of Akbayan President Ronald Llamas as one of his presidential advisers. We vouch for the integrity, leadership and competence of this person, who for the last thirteen years has been one of the major pillars of our party and an acknowledged leader of the broad democratic left.

Definitely, with his eventual appointment to government, our party will suffer the absence of a seasonedpolitical leader. Yet, the struggle for reforms is more important and bigger than all of us.

Thus, in this just struggle, we offer one of our “best and brightest.” We look forward that with Ronald llamas’ absence from our party and his entry to government, it will greatly strengthen the resolve of the new dispensation to fulfill its promise of change to the Filipino People. ### 

HERE IS KA SONNY'S REACTION

Dear Patricio,

When we read the press statement issued by Akbayan on the appointment of Ronald Llamas as Presidential Adviser (see below),  I raised the following comments.  I think the PLM statement can be based on these comments which we already circulated at the PLM and the Laban ng Masa e-groups:

n      Akbayan seems to have found its final resting place. Welcome to the new social democrats. Its fortunes are now completely tied to the rise and fall of President Noynoy.

n      Instead of the fawning and servile tone of the press statement (purportedly written by Akbayan’s Communications Head Emmanuel Hizon), a major concern that should be raised is the problem of cooptation.  The left should have learnt its lesson. Wasn’t it not too long ago when too many left leaders had joined the Cory government and got coopted (if not later booted out from their posts) in the process?

n      The entry of Akbayan leaders Joel Rocamora (secretary of NAPC) and Ronald Llamas into the P-Noy cabinet raises the following underlying and related questions: (i) How should the left view the Aquino government (is it still correct to use the framework of a “lesser evil” (i.e., still comparing it with the GMA regime) when it is now the chief administrator of an unabashedly pro-capitalist neoliberal program? (ii) Should the left entertain the possibility of changing the system from within the capitalist government (of Noynoy) or from without?

n      Akbayan and the many groups that had coalesced under the former Laban ng Masa constituted the left spectrum during the campaign to oust the GMA regime and replace it with a TRG (transitional revolutionary government).  But given that the political crisis of the elite during that time was already resolved not through the TRG but through the election of the Aquino presidency, a regime that is nonetheless an elite-dominated pro-capitalist regime, the left spectrum that is Laban ng Masa has now practically collapsed. Akbayan and some other groups in the Noynoy electoral coalition are expected to move towards the right of the political spectrum as they continue to prop up P-Noy and its pro-capitalist, anti-masa policy regimes.

n      The left should understand that, irrespective of the personal character of Noynoy himself (a “Mr. Clean”) and his commitment against corruption in government, his government is still anelite-dominated pro-capitalist government. The left should not participate in this government, especially at the executive level, as it means bearing the responsibility for implementing a pro-capitalist program. 

n       Having said this, the true dilemma is that we have to go beyond being mere oppositionists, or only good on the issues. We must have the perspective of presenting a genuine alternative -- not only political -- but also social, cultural and economic, to the system, especially when it faces such a deep and irreconcilable crisis.  This is the challenge that we face to be relevant today. Such an alternative -- a truly social, socialist alternative -- can best (and only)  be developed today from without the system, including the “Aquino system,” rather than from within.  (underscore mine--Pat)

Sonny

Appointment of Llamas poses a big question on the Philippine Left

The recent appointment of Ronald Llamas as Presidential adviser on Political Affairs by President Noynoy Aquino poses a big question on the democratic Left---will the democratic Left movement now move or gravitate closer to the new administration, given that one of its organizers is now a palace factotum?


What is the stance of the democratic Left Movement? Will it stay on the sidelines or will it take a more active role in the new administration?


Will it be critical collaboration or will the genuine Left movement maintains its revolutionary stance against the new administration?


Will the Partido ng Lakas ng Masa or those groups who belong to the "rejectionist" side now assimilate themselves, albeit, silently, inside the new administration, despite its increasing corporatism, anti-people and anti-worker stance?


The democratic Left movement is composed of several anti-Arroyo groups who formed the Laban ng Masa coalition. It seems that most of those who took an active role in the movement  has either taken a "conciliatory or collaborative stance" or has "refused to criticize the administration" despite its increasing anti-people, anti-worker, and anti-farmer position.


The appointment of Llamas is not extraordinary. In several countries, Leftist groups play a big role in governance. Fact is, several European countries have integrated the Left in policy-making. 


With both the Left and the Right (the group of Sen. Trillianes IV and that of General Lim), who would then assume an active role in fighting the State?


Don't tell me that the genuine Left organization existing right now is that of the PDSP or the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas of Norberto Gonzales alone?


Obviously, the PDSP is the only organization who would not dare affiliate itself with the new administration, since this organization has taken a collaborative role in the last Arroyo regime. 


With Akbayan already "compromised", who, then, would fill the vacuum of leadership in the Left movement?


The appointment of Llamas is a deft move by Noynoy since this will definitely cut a swath again and probably tear the tenuous unity being experienced right now by several groups affiliated with the Left.

Tito Guingona: Fight for Justice continues with Vizconde case

Group supports Mang Lauro's quest

Was there new evidence presented that justifies a new Supreme Court perspective? For Vice President Tito Guingona, there was no new evidence presented that refuted the findings of the lower courts on the Hubert Webb murder case.


Guingona, a seasoned lawyer and legislator, said that the Supreme Court erred in reversing the decisions of the Court of Appeals and the Regional Trial Court which found Hubert Webb and the rest of his buddies, guilty of killing the Vizcondes in 1991. 


He, along with VACC chairman Dante Jimenez, Mary "Rosebud" Ong, Capt Dizon, General Jarque, Rasti Delizo of Sanlakas, Leody de Guzman of Partido Lakas ng Masa, and Father Robert Reyes joins anti-crime crusader Lauro Vizconde in asking the Court to do a self-reversal of the previous ruling exonerating Webb etal from the crime.

People's Movement for Justice (PM-JUSTICE)

The former Vice President went to a meeting today held at the Orange Place hotel in Kamias Road, Quezon City. The group, which called itself, " Run for Vizconde, Run for Justice. JUstice for All", plans to mobilize their 5,000-strong force on January 10, to dramatize the plight of the Vizcondes. They seek a reversal of the decision of the Supreme Court, a move which certain quarters think is "aiming at the sun".


A decision coming from the Highest Tribunal of the land cannot be reversed by any other body except itself. Since the decision was "final and executory", any appeal or petition for reconsideration will actually be deemed null and void. A known principle of double jeopardy prevents anybody from filing a case with the same information or the same facts against the same accused individual in a case.


The meeting was the first one attended by big people's organizations since the assumption of the new administration. 


The January 10 mobilization is expected to attract at least 5,000 people, according to rally organizers. If these groups unify, this will be the largest ever people's gathering in the eight month old administration. 


Meanwhile, Justice secretary Leila de Lima says elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are now hot on the heels of fugitive Joey Filart and Artemio Ventura, two suspects pinpointed by Jessica Alfaro as responsible for the brutal massacre of the Vizcondes.


De Lima said she will be initiating a move aimed at extraditing Joey Filart. This information proves the credibility of Alfaro, says De Lima.


Alfaro appeared before the courts in  1994, who claimed to have witnessed the killing of the Vizcondes. Her testimony was used to convict Webb etal. The same testimony was used by the Supreme Court in exonerating Webb etal.


For De Lima, the positive identification of Filart proves the authenticity of Alfaro's testimony. 


Alfaro remains in hiding. Some quarters are saying that Alfaro will surface anytime to give support to Mang Lauro Vizconde. The only question is when. 

The Resurgence of the Left

Seventeen years ago, the Manila-Rizal chapter of the Communist Party of the Philippines formally announced its split from the biggest Communist party in the country. The reasons were two-fold: first, differing analyses on the current state of socialism in the country and beyond and second, the correct revolutionary strategy to be employed to achieve victory. The actors were members of the First Quarter Storm, the bit players the activists and cadres active both in the underground and open democratic movement. Both sides hardlined with ideologues from the CPP branding those who opposed the Re-Affirmist line as counter-revolutionaries. While those in the rejectionist side further split into various groups, mainly due to differences in leadership.

Now, with the emergence of a pseudo-populist government represented by President Aquino, the question remains---is this the right time for the left to reconsolidate and strengthen itself? With the blurring of ideological lines, there are indications that both sides are softening their stances and the possibility of a unification looms.

Unification, ah, this thing was inconceivable back then when the M-R led by Ka Filemon "Popoy" Lagman directly contravened the prevailing ideological stance of the party which he so supported since his activist days in the 70's. Lagman's views remain relevant since the objective conditions which existed seventeen years ago remain unchanged, even to some, worsening. What is so impressive about Lagman's views is its somewhat "prophetic" nature, a sign that Lagman applied the Marxist-Leninist framework of analysis correctly. Back then, direct opposition to the views of Jose Maria Sison led to expulsion from the party. Now, the central leadership is fast losing its ideological dominance and sooner or later, even its influence since its monolithic interpretation of objective conditions lacks the vibrancy of analysis as shown by Lagman's, Marty's and Sonny Melencio's.

Now that the CPP leadership is "age-ing" and most young cadres involved in the movement right now show signs of "open-ness", there are expressions of hope that, sooner or later, these groups from the Left would converge and form a new invigorated revolutionary movement. What is most impressive is the possibility that this movement would now be composed not just of hard-line Marxist-Leninists and Mao Tse-tund adherents---the possibility of having a progressive and Left-thinking segment of the military and the nationalist bourgeoisie coming together with the underground and open organizations and form a stronger coalition of forces remain. That is the first stage. The second stage would actually be the establishment of a stronger, more vibrant, Party which adheres strongly to the Filipino concept of liberation rather than the foreign-inspired frameworks.

There is now a recognition that the entire struggle of the Filipino Masses is not entirely predicated on a foreign ism. Isms are just constructs which the revolutionist applies in correctly interpreting the things happening around him.

The possibility of these forces from the left again resurfacing and forming a stronger revolutionary force remains. There is now a recognition that the most important component of every struggle is correct communication of its goals. The correct communication lies on the correct use of Filipino indigenous symbolisms that communicate the same Socialist concepts for change.

This would be entirely possible if all organizers both from the underground left recognize the fact that the dominant thinking should not be based on foreign sounding ideologies and terminologies; rather the most dominant philosophical world-view should actually be that of the masses, the poor, which is the potent force for change right now.

There lies the element for solidarity and unity of forces---the recognition that even prior to the 1969 re-establishment of the party along Maoist lines, a more potent revolutionary organization existed that successfully fought for the establishment of a transitional revolutionary government. That organization, the Katipunan, has once again animated the minds and hearts of the Filipino Masses.

The Bagong Katipunan could actually be the party which can solidify and synthesize differing view points under one political platform for change. The thinking which Marx, Lenin and Mao formed a century ago could be fused together with the thoughts and philosophical world-view of the Filipino and form a new, more vibrant and simplier Filipino ideology which the Masses would identify themselves with. With this, the resurgence of the Left is deemed possible.

What's happening General?

Brigadier General Danny Lim admitted that his rebel group, the Young Officer's Union (YOU) led forces in toppling former president Joseph Estrada. Now, in a weird twist of fate, Lim is reportedly running under the wing of Erap's political party.

Also, today, reports say that the Liberal Party, led by the party's chairman, Franklin Drilon visited both Lim and Senator Antonio Trillianes IV in their prison cells to ask the general to run under the Liberal Party wing. Lim's ratings are not in the top 12 but indications are very high that Lim would surely surge to the top once the formal campaign period starts, just like in Trillianes case.

Certain sectors are asking---why is the General entertaining all these invitations from trapos? Erap is surely a trapo. So does Drilon. Sectors are puzzled. Is the General really anti-trapo or what?

If General Lim wants to run as senator, he must do so by building his own political party and possibly coalesce with other traditional parties as a guest candidate, never a formal candidate. There is a strong possibility that people will accept a new political party peopled with those with strong principles and a clear revolutionist agenda.

One party that Danny Lim should consider is the Partido Lakas ng Masa or the newly established Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP). Or, maybe, just maybe, a new Political party named Democratic People's Patriotic Party (DP3).

Let these trapos gravitate around this new party, and not the other way around. That would send a very strong signal to the traditional elites that their time has come to a definitive end.

Danny Lim at Ariel Querubin--huwag mahulog sa patibong ng mga trapo

May mga haka-haka na tatakbo sa ilalim ng partido Nacionalista si Col. Ariel Querubin na nagpahayag na ng kanyang kahandaang tumakbo bilang senador. Samantalang, iniisip naman ni General Danny Lim kung sa Liberal Party siya tataya o sa Nacionalist People's Coalition (NPC) na sigurado nang pangungunahan ni Chiz Escudero. Ayon sa ilang tagamasid, kailangang sumanib muna sa mga tradisyunal na partido ang dalawang repormistang opisyales upang matiyak ang kanilang panalo sa darating na eleksyon.

Kunsabagay, lohikal nga para sa kanila ang sumailalim sa mga partidong may malalaking makinarya, ngunit kung ako ang tatanungin, mas maganda sanang sumanib na lamang sa isang tunay na repormistang partido ang dalawa, lalo na si Danny Lim at maging adopted o guest candidate na lamang sila ng mga tradisyunal na partido. Mas malakas ang mensahe nun. Ipinapahiwatig na may matatag at nananatili silang matatag sa kanilang prinsipyo.

Hindi ko maubos isiping kasapi ng Liberal ang isang Danny Lim sapagkat mas malawak pa kaysa dagat ang pagitan ng kanilang paniniwala. Hindi ko rin mailagay ng tama sa isip ko ang isang Ariel Querubin na tatakbo sa ilalim ng isang taong batid ng taumbayan na isang land speculator at tagawasak ng mga buhay ng mga magsasaka sa kanayunan.

Maaari sanang tumakbo na lamang sila sa isang partido, gaya siguro ng Partido ng Lakas ng Masa o PLM na isang lehitimong partido pulitikal. Hindi ito gaya ng mga tradisyunal na organisasyon sapagkat ang mga kasanib nito'y mga nagbuwis na ng buhay at kinabukasan para sa pakikibaka. Maganda kung ito ang patatatagin nina Danny Lim at Querubin. Huwag silang matakot na kakaunti ang resources nito o papausbong pa lamang ang network nito sa ating bansa. Magandang simulan na ngayon pa lamang ang pagpapalaki sa isang tunay na Partidong kakatawanin ang kapakanan at adhikain ng masang Pilipino.

Ano na lamang ang sasabihin ng madla sa dalawang ito, na hilig nilang makipaglaro o makipagdaupang palad sa mga trapo? Kapwa mga trapo ang Liberal, NPC at Nacionalista at wala ni isa sa kanila ang may tunay na puso para sa Sambayanang Pilipino.

Kung totoo ang sinasabi nina Danny Lim at Ariel Querubin na para sila sa tunay na pagbabago ng lipunang Pilipino, maging consistent sila at iwasan o talikdan ang pagsanib puwersa sa mga trapo. Huwag nilang bigyan ng legitimacy ang mga partido ng mga trapo sa pamamagitan ng tuluyang pagsanib sa kanila. Yan ay malinaw na patibong na nararapat iwasan.

A New Party for the Filipino People

A New Party has risen from the loins of the Filipino Masses---the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM). Today, I was fortunate to meet a long-time friend. Seven years ago, we were the very first ones who shouted "Oust Gloria!" when everybody was still mesmerized by her. We came out with a Worker's paper (I think it was "Iskra" or something like that) which we distributed to various labor unions using our scant personal savings. We did'nt get anything from it. In fact, it even led to my financial distress. Yet, the very thought of being the first to have realized that we propped up a demonic entity in Malacanang in place of a mischievous womanizer was more than enough for me. I remember those times lucidly because it was the time when the embers of revolutionary spirit suddenly burst forth from my soul, consuming me and until now, guiding, shaping and molding me into Patricio Mangubat.

I am older now, a thirty eight year old man, pass the age where Andres Bonifacio offered his life for his country. Yet, I would die willingly for the Fatherland if need be. Unlike my batchmates who went to the Senate and became "distinguished" sellers of prime Philippine real estate, I am happy in what I have decided to thread. Those who already committed themselves slaves to the altar of the Filipino People know that their fate wrest in either an early death or the ignominy of old age. For it is a curse for a revolutionary to die an old man, a curse, says Emilio Aguinaldo, worst than a thousand defeats in the battlefield. For all my life, I long to see a New Morning rise from the ashes of the old regime. I still feel very strongly that this will happen in my lifetime. I will not rest until Justice is served to the Filipino People.

My friend looked older. Yet, I felt that same fire which shared with mine still very much alive in his soul. He told me of the new party. I remembered our talks before and how they struggled to form this party while I was away. Now, the very same vision which I just wrote in my diaries is now, here, alive and ready to fight.

Knowing that I have changed and feel stronger than before, I smiled. The fight for a True, Just and Humane Society shines brightly amidst a darkened and sinister sky.

I seek the liberation of the Filipino People from the chains of slavery.

I will fight for the restoration of Truth, Justice and Values that has been bastardized and made irrelevant by this ruling class of barong-clad thieves.

I, and a million more Patricios of the New Generation, salute this New Party of the Filipino People!

It is time for the Filipino People to rise from their unfortunate situation and fight for what is inherently theirs. The Partido Lakas Ng Masa aims to lead the Vanguard Class towards the penultimate liberation of the Masses from neo-capitalist slavery. Time to rise up and work towards the victory of the New Philippine Revolution!