EPCC NEWS

December 21. 2009

Liza Maza, Ocampo Defend NP Slate

DAVAO CITY – Progressive candidates eyeing for a senatorial post in 2010 defended their move to run as “guests” of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

This came after critics began expressing opinions opposing the move of the two senatoriables which allegedly “overshadowed their moral ascendancy as real public servants.”

Rep. Satur Ocampo and Rep. Liza Maza of the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) announced Dec. 14 their intent to join NP as guests, supporting Manny Villar and Loren Legarda as president and vice president, respectively.

“When critics say my credibility is impaired by the mutual accord of Makabayan with Villar-Loren tandem on the basis of agreement on keypoints in our platform, it means they don’t know me enough and what I am fighting for,” Ocampo told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview Friday.

The senatorial candidate is telling critics to consider the fact that upcoming national and local elections is focused on the presidential and vice presidential race. “This means the Senate gets secondary attention – unlike in midterm elections when the senatorial race is the focus,” he explained.

Ocampo, who appeared to be irritated when asked regarding the matter, said they saw a need to “hitchhike” with NP as they are short of campaign fund.

“If we campaign alone as independent, we need more resources to call attention to us – which we don’t have,” he said.

By hitchhiking as guest candidates with a presidentiable bet, Villar in this case, he said they would get wider reach of territory and voters “at less cost to us.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, explained to critics who posted opinions through her Facebook account that she respects opinions different from what she has, adding them running as guests candidates does not necessarily mean they are already members of NP.

“We have certain points of unity with them,” Maza told critics through Facebook. “Most of us do not see mainstream political parties like NP, Lakas, or Liberal as real political parties anymore. They are more like bandwagons for people with similar interests.”