A fisher's group on Wednesday, Oct. 6, dared former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Spokesperson Celine Pialago to seek a barangay post first before a partylist list seat.
Pialago filed Malasakit Movement Partylist's certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City.
In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (PAMALAYA) questioned the track record of Pialago to represent barangay officials in the Congress.
"Why would you represent elected and appointed local government officials in a partylist which is supposed to be for marginalized sectors? This is a clear example of how the partylist system is being bastardized in the name of extreme greed for power," PAMALAKAYA Spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo.
"Does she even have a background of working as a village official? Before she aspires for a partylist seat, why not seek a barangay kagawad post for at least 1-2 terms or better yet, serve as a barangay tanod so she could directly experience and internalize their issues and concerns," he added.
Pialago's partylist seeks to represent elected barangay officials such as councilors watchmen, and barangay health workers.
"We dare Ms. Pialago to prove her worth as the real representative of this group by undergoing this major overhaul in her political career."