AJLPP-USA Congratulates Five Filipino Progressive Party-List Groups for their Electoral V

AJLPP-USA Congratulates Five Filipino Progressive Party-List Groups for their Electoral Victory

Los Angeles. “ CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP ON SERVING THE PEOPLE!”

The Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States greets the five Philippine progressive party-list groups that declared their victory on Thursday with militant hurrahs!

Mario Santos, AJLPP national coordinator said: “ The AJLPP is one with the Filipino people in working for the victory of the party-list groups. AJLPP organizations in the United and other allied groups like GABRIELA –USA fully mobilized their forces to support the party-list groups. We are united with them in their declaration of victory and will maintain vigilance until all votes are counted.

The Filipino people have spoken. Their voices are loud and clear. They rejected the corrupt and puppet US-Arroyo regime and wants change! The data from exit polls and the media quick count showed the overwhelming support from the people that the party-list groups got is not only a show of confidence but also a great tribute to those who are until now re missing and the martyrs that have given their lives for democracy and freedom”

AJLPP affirmed the joint statement, Bayan Muna (People First), Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), Gabriela, Suara Bangsamoro (Voice of the Moro People) and Kabataan (Youth) issued that thanked voters “for giving us a fresh mandate,” noted that “we are set to win back the six seats we previously won in 2004.”

The five groups confidently declared that there were “strong chances” they could increase the number of seats for Anakpawis and Gabriela, and even win a seat each for Suara Bangsamoro and Kabataan.

They said they “owe our victory to those who rejected the government's illegal campaign against us,” referring to allegations the military had been urging people not to vote for them.

AJLPP is united with the party list groups in addressing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Armed Forces chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., they said: “The people have spoken. Through their votes for our parties, they rejected your diabolical plot against progressive party-list groups.”

VIGILANCE AND PERSISTENCE IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY

However, they( the party-list groups) also said fraud has continued to mar the canvassing of votes, aside from the 156 cases of fraud recorded by the groups’ Task Force Poll Watch.

Among the places where they said cases of “dagdag bawas” (vote padding, vote shaving) and other cases of poll fraud were recorded were in San Luis, Pampanga; Guinobatan and Legazpi City in Albay; Malabang and Tungawan, Lanao del Sur; and Marawi City.

They also said opposition and party-list poll watchers were barred from canvassing centers in Taguig, Quezon City, Manila, Sorsogon, Batangas, La Union and Cotabato.

“These are just some of the reports,” the groups said. “These must be exposed and rectified. One vote cheated is one too many.”

They also took government to task for describing the elections as “peaceful and orderly” when “120 violent incidents and numerous acts of fraud, irregularities and disenfranchisement” had been recorded.

The statement was signed by Representatives Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna, Representative Liza Maza of Gabriela, Sammy Malunes of Anakpaws, Shamroud Abdulaziz of Suara Bangsamoro and Raymond Palatino of Kabataan

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