Archive for 2009
6 Magdalo men to seek elective posts in 2010
SOME members of the Magdalo Group, which consists of former soldiers who staged a mutiny against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003, are now seeking elective posts come 2010.
Instead of using violent means to air their grievances against the politicization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the former soldiers are now planning to seek legislative seats.
Ashley Acedillo, spokesperson of the Magdalo Group, told the press Wednesday that at least six of them are running in the 2010 elections, five of whom are in legislative bodies.
“General Danilo Lim and Colonel Ariel Querubin will be running for the Senate, while four other will seek local positions,” Acedillo said.
Acedillo himself will be running for Congress in the First District of Cebu City, together with Captain Dante Langkit who will run for Congress in the sole district of Kalinga Province, and Lieutenant Senior Grade James Layug, who will seek congressional post for Taguig City.
Captain Gary Alejano will be running for mayor of Sipalay City.
During the 2007 elections, Oakwood mutiny leader Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV ran under the Genuine Opposition banner and eventually made it to the Senate, although he never had the chance to join his colleagues in the Senate Hall as he is still in prison.
Acedillo said that further announcements will be made by the Magdalo Group on October 25 during their national convention, wherein members of 227 chapters are expected to attend. (CPM)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on September 24, 2009.
Magdalos feed the poor, give away wheelchairs in Taguig
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
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