Magdalo eyeing gov’t posts

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