The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) on Thursday, Feb. 17, expressed support to presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo and running mate Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan as they rallied against the return of "thieves" in the seat of power.
"Nakikiisa kami sa hanay ng Makabayan sa kanilang paninindigan na suportahan si Leni at Senator Kiko (We are one with Makabayan in supporting Vice President Leni and Sen. Kiko)," national chairperson Danilo Ramos of the left-leaning KMP said in a virtual forum hosted by opposition coalition 1Sambayan.
According to Ramos, they believe that the tandem of Robredo and Pangilinan would help ensure food security and improve the agriculture industry in the Philippines which he said the Duterte administration failed to achieve.
Ramos also urged the public not to allow the return of another Marcos and Duterte in power as it would just lead to the continuous suffering of Filipinos.
"Nananawagan po ang magsasakang Pilipino, mangingisda, at masang anakpawis: ibalik ang ninakaw, hindi ang magnanakaw (Filipino farmers, fishermen, and the toiling masses are calling: return what was stolen, not the thief)," he emphasized.
"Mapapariwara po ang ating mga kababayan... Ang anim na taon po ay napakatagal kung ang mananalo ay ang tambalang Duterte at Marcos (Filipinos will suffer ... Six years is a very long time for a Duterte-Marcos regime," Ramos added.
He also said that voters should always check the track record of the candidates and not be deceived by their promises.
"Hindi po totoo na ang mga pangako ay kasiguraduhan. Tingnan po natin ang track record (Promises are not certainty. Let us look at their track record)," he said.
"Tama na po ang karanasan natin sa mahabang panahon ng diktador kaya po no to extension ng mga Duterte at ang pagbabalik ng mga magnanakaw (Our experience in the long period of dictatorship is enough, we should not allow another Duterte and the return of the thieves)," Ramos added.
Ramos likewise called on national and local candidates for the May 2022 elections to also give priority to the interests of agriculture workers and ensure food security in the country.