Colmenares files COC as Makabayan bloc Senate bet

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Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares, who is vying for a Senate seat in the 2019 midterm polls, filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters in Intramuros on the first day of filing on Thursday.

Colmenares earlier announced that he will be the Makabayan bloc’s official senatorial candidate.

“Panahon na para magkaroon ng boses at mata ang karaniwang tao sa Senado, at manalo ang karaniwang tao sa 2019 elections.”

(It’s time for ordinary people to have a voice in the Senate, for us to win in the 2019 elections.)

If elected, Colmenares said he will push for a P750 national daily minimum wage, removal of the excise tax on petroleum products, and the abolition of rice cartels.

Colmenares arrives at the Comelec main office to file his COC. Photo by Christia Marie Ramos / INQUIRER.net

He lamented that the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law (TRAIN) has become a burden on the Filipino people.

“Dapat masawata na ito (This should be stopped),” he told reporters.

Starting this Thursday, Comelec offices are opened from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to accept the COC of candidates.

The Comelec will be accepting the COCs of candidates across the country until Wednesday, October 17.  /muf