Makabayan open to tie up with minority groups
Published Jul 25, 2018 03:31 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The seven-man Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives is “open” to coalesce with other ‘minority' groups to form a genuine opposition.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said his bloc is willing to work with other groups to oppose the anti-people agenda of the Duterte administration.
“Nagpahayag kami na bukas makipagisa sa sinumang grupo, indibidwal, partido dito sa Kongreso na handang lumaban lalo na sa anti-people agenda ng Duterte administration. Bukas kami makipag-isa basta malinaw ang basis of unity na ito ay laban sa hakbang ng diktatura (We have expressed opennes to coalesce with any groups, individual, party here in Congress that are ready to fight the anti-people agenda of the Duterte administration. We are open as long as the basis of unity is clear and that is to fight the looming dictatorship),” he told reporters.
He admitted that a united opposition bloc is needed to obstruct the supposed dictatorial tendencies of the current administration.
“Alam naman natin na numbers game yan, realistic tayo. Kailangan ng numero. Bukas kami makipagisa para mabuo ang tunay na lalaban na minority. (We know that it is numbers’ game, we are being realistic. We need numbers. We are open to coalesce to form a genuine minority),” Tinio said.
He said the House leadership row last Monday during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) showed the “real state of the nation” and how self-serving the country’s political leaders are.
“Nasaksihan natin lahat ang circus na naganap nung araw na 'yun, yan ang totoong state of the nation--labanan ng magkatunggaling faction para sa pwesto, inuuna ang pansariling interes, pinaghintay ang bayan, pinahiya ang bayan sa international community (We have witnessed the circus on that day, that is the true state of the nation—the battle of opposing faction for the position, serving first their own interest, made the people wait and embarrass the country before the international community),” Tinio said.
Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also disclosed that there are exploratory talks with other groups. “But, if there is no basis of unity, the Makabayan bloc is ready to stand, we cannot compromise.”
"Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte. MAD. yan yong namamayani sa ating bansa. Kailangang magalit ang mamamayan dyan,” he said.
Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said she will not be surprised that the new majority, led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will install its own minority.
Tinio agreed with Brosas, saying that he thinks that Arroyo-led majority will install Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.
“Their easiest option is to retain the minority leadership of Suarez so hawak nila ang majority at minority. Nasaan ang genuine opposition?,” he said.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
ACT Teachers partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio said his bloc is willing to work with other groups to oppose the anti-people agenda of the Duterte administration.
“Nagpahayag kami na bukas makipagisa sa sinumang grupo, indibidwal, partido dito sa Kongreso na handang lumaban lalo na sa anti-people agenda ng Duterte administration. Bukas kami makipag-isa basta malinaw ang basis of unity na ito ay laban sa hakbang ng diktatura (We have expressed opennes to coalesce with any groups, individual, party here in Congress that are ready to fight the anti-people agenda of the Duterte administration. We are open as long as the basis of unity is clear and that is to fight the looming dictatorship),” he told reporters.
He admitted that a united opposition bloc is needed to obstruct the supposed dictatorial tendencies of the current administration.
“Alam naman natin na numbers game yan, realistic tayo. Kailangan ng numero. Bukas kami makipagisa para mabuo ang tunay na lalaban na minority. (We know that it is numbers’ game, we are being realistic. We need numbers. We are open to coalesce to form a genuine minority),” Tinio said.
He said the House leadership row last Monday during President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) showed the “real state of the nation” and how self-serving the country’s political leaders are.
“Nasaksihan natin lahat ang circus na naganap nung araw na 'yun, yan ang totoong state of the nation--labanan ng magkatunggaling faction para sa pwesto, inuuna ang pansariling interes, pinaghintay ang bayan, pinahiya ang bayan sa international community (We have witnessed the circus on that day, that is the true state of the nation—the battle of opposing faction for the position, serving first their own interest, made the people wait and embarrass the country before the international community),” Tinio said.
Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also disclosed that there are exploratory talks with other groups. “But, if there is no basis of unity, the Makabayan bloc is ready to stand, we cannot compromise.”
"Marcos-Arroyo-Duterte. MAD. yan yong namamayani sa ating bansa. Kailangang magalit ang mamamayan dyan,” he said.
Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said she will not be surprised that the new majority, led by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will install its own minority.
Tinio agreed with Brosas, saying that he thinks that Arroyo-led majority will install Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.
“Their easiest option is to retain the minority leadership of Suarez so hawak nila ang majority at minority. Nasaan ang genuine opposition?,” he said.