Malaya
September 17, 2009

MEMBERS of Partido Magdalo and their supporters visited depressed areas in Taguig City yesterday to feed indigents and distribute 22 wheelchairs to the disabled.

The Magdalos are planning to enter politics by fielding the more recognizable members like Scout Ranger Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin in the senatorial race in 2010.

Its Taguig chapter president, Navy Ltsg. James Layug, said the activity was their way of bringing their cause to the grassroots.

Some 2,800 children from North Daang Hari, Tanyag, Maharlika, GHQ, Signal Village, Palar, Wildcat and PNR Site were fed by the Magdalo’s mobile soup kitchen. The feeding program actually began last June, said Samahang Magdalo administrative officer Noel Ariar, and continues to be held weekly.

“We just want to make an impact on the city’s depressed communities through this mobile soup kitchen. This is just one of the ways for our group to make meaningful approach to “ignored communities, a way to engage with their plight and at the same time, enrich volunteers with the experience of serving the less fortunate,” Ariar said.

“This feat may be old school yet it shows the connection of our people’s needs for attention and the volunteers’ willingness to help. Either way, we empower lives, we make meaningful presence,” said Layug who is reportedly running for Congress in Taguig.

Other Magdalos who are planning to run in next year’s elections are Marine Captain Gary Alejano and former Air Force Lt. Francisco Ashley Acedillo.

Layug was one of the core leaders of the Magdalo group, composed of junior officers and enlisted personnel that staged the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege, both in Makati. He, along with the group’s other leaders Navy Ltsg.-turned-senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Alejano are currently detained at the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame while awaiting resolution of their coup d’etat and rebellion cases. – Ashzel Hachero

Malaya
Sept 04, 2009

IF you can’t beat them, join them.

This was the prevailing sentiment among a group of soldiers who had called for President Arroyo’s resignation during a mutiny in 2003 as they filed for the accreditation yesterday of Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago (Magdalo) as a political party based in the National Capital Region.

Air Force 1Lt. Francisco Ashley Acedillo, Magdalo secretary general, said they want to bring their advocacy directly to the government instead of simply making noises outside it. “We understand that if we are to effect or pursue meaningful change in governance, we will have to be part of governance mechanism but we cannot do so if we are not elected,” he said.

Acedillo, who is eyeing a congressional seat in the first district of Cebu, said they have five other members planning to run in the May 2010 polls in the hope of duplicating the feat of former Navy Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes who won a Senate seat in the 2007 polls despite being detained for the Oakwood mutiny.

Magdalo’s bets for 2010 are Lt. Col. Ariel Querubin and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim for the Senate; Navy Lt. James Layug (Taguig) and Army Capt. Dante Langkit (Kalinga) for the Lower House, and Capt. Gary Alejano for Silay City mayor.

Once their party is accredited, Acedillo said they might run under the party list system in which case, their members would have to run as independents and not under the Magdalo party.

Acedillo said Magdalo will hold a national convention next month to decide on the party list option and possible nominees, and which of their members will run under Magdalo. He said they are also talking with the political opposition for possible alliances. – Gerard Naval

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
09/03/2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hear the petition for accreditation of a regional political party chaired by jailed Senator Antonio Trillanes and 15 other party-list groups on Thursday.

Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago seeks to be accredited as a regional political party based in Metro Manila with Francisco Ashley Acedillo as secretary general, said legal counsel Reynaldo Robles.

“Magdalo will field local and national officials who are reform candidates that will advance good governance, fight graft and corruption, and represent marginalized sectors. We see the Comelec granting our petition for accreditation because it if part of the freedom for association,” said Robles in an interview.

On the Internet, Magdalo has started gathering volunteers via its website (http://magdaloparasapagbabago.blogspot.com/2008/10/join-samhang-magdalo.html)and so far, it has gathered 30,000 volunteers.

Robles added the Magdalo group has started talking to presidential candidates from the opposition such as Senators Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Francis Escudero, and former president Joseph Estrada.

Line-up of officials to field and possible coalition with other national groups will be finalized during Magdalo’s national convention on the third week of October, said Robles.

Partido Magdiwang is another local political party that seeks accreditation for next year’s elections.

The en banc Second Division, composed of Commissioners Nicodemo Ferrer as chairman, Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph as members, has started the hearings at 8:30 a.m. to accommodate the two regional political parties and 15 party-list groups that wish to join the 2010 elections.

They are: Alyansa ng Katutubong Pilipino sectoral party; Aksyon Mindanao; Angat Ahon Magsasaka Inc.; Call Center Agents of the Philippines Inc.; 1-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso; Coconut Farmers Association of Linamon Lanao Del Norte Inc.; Alyansa Alay sa Adhikain ng Beterano Inc.; Ako Ayoko sa Bawal na Droga Inc.; Alay sa Sambayanang Pangkapayapaan Association; Association of Laborers and Employees; Ang mga Manggagawang Bayani at Pamilya OFW Family Club; Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency; Pro-active on Climate Change Leaders (as professional sectoral party); Kaunlaran ng Agrikultura, Asensadong Probinsiya, Angat ng Bayan; and National Federation of Small Coconut Farmers Organizations Inc.

On August, over 250 party-lists and 50 political parties filed petitions for registration and accreditation before the Comelec.