MANILA, Philippines ? The alliance between the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manuel Villar and the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party of the Marcoses has brought ?complications? that could get in the way of the left-wing organizations? support for Villar in the May 2010 election, two partylist lawmakers said Friday.
Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo warned that they would ?review? their ?impending support? for Villar if the alliance would compromise the leftist?s stand on the issue involving the Marcoses.
?We will clarify this announcement, what does this mean?? Ocampo said in a phone interview.
?We must first know the terms of the NP-KBL alliance, of which we have not been informed beforehand by Senator Manny Villar. We have laid down clearly with Senator Villar our outstanding issues with the Marcoses ? compensation for the human rights victims and recovery of ill-gotten wealth, which we can not compromise, he added in a separate text message.
The lawmaker said that ?should the NP-KBL alliance compromise our stand, we will review our impending support for Senator Villar.?
In a separate text message, fellow Bayan Muna congressman Teodoro Casińo said the NP-KBL tie-up ?brings complications for the possible alliance being worked out between NP and Makabayan,? the coalition of left-wing partylist groups.
?We are in the process of resolving these complications,? Casino said.
Ilocos Norte Representative Ferdinand ?Bongbong? Marcos Jr., the recognized head of the KBL, confirmed that they would ink the coalition with Villar?s political party Friday.
Marcos will seek a senatorial seat in the May 2010 election.
Makabayan has also been talking with Villar for the possible inclusion of Ocampo and Representative Liza Maza of Gabriela partylist into the NP?s slate as guest candidates for the senatorial race.
The negotiations with NP are now in the final stages, but Ocampo said Villar?s decision to ally with the Marcoses could provide a hurdle to the talks.
?We have a strong position against the human rights violations committee during the Marcos regime, we are demanding the return of the Marcos wealth, which could be used to compensate the victims of these human rights violations. These should be resolved,? Ocampo said.
He continued, ?We can run as guest candidates of the NP, but not under the NP-KBL alliance.?
Although a stumbling block, Ocampo stressed that the KBL?s alliance with NP ?will not be the decisive factor? in their final decision whether or not to support Villar.
Talks are underway between his group and Villar and runningmate Senator Loren Legarda to thresh out the issue, Ocampo said.
