Tindig Pilipinas endorses senatorial bets

(R toL) Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Bangsamoro leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, and La Salle College of Law dean Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno. PATHRICIA ANN V. ROXAS, INQUIRER.net

Cause-oriented opposition group Tindig Pilipinas presented on Friday its initial roster of candidates to support in the 2019 midterm elections.

Tindig Pilipinas announced their endorsement of Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Bangsamoro leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, and La Salle College of Law’s former dean Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno for the Senate during a press conference in Quezon City.

Gutoc-Tomawis and Diokno are Liberal Party nominees.

“In the past year, Tindig Pilipinas has emerged as the strongest opposition force fighting for our people’s rights and well-being…” the group said in a statement. “We do this in order to give the citizens an alternative.”

The alliance has expressed confidence that the three contenders would serve the people with honesty and competence.

Photo by Noy Morcoso, INQUIRER.net

“We start by offering the people candidates whom we have screened and tested. Candidates we are sure will serve the people with honesty and competence,” the group said.

“They will fight for us… With the will of our people who are seeking genuine change, Sam, Chel, and Gary shall enter into the halls of the Senate,” it added.

Aside from the three, Tindig Pilipinas convenor Edwin Lacierda said at the event that their group has already endorsed the Senate bid of reelectionist Senator Bam Aquino and former Quezon representative Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III.

Alejano is a two-term legislator representing the sector of former and retired members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He was among the soldiers who staged the Oakwood and Manila Peninsula siege in 2003 and 2007 in an attempt to overthrow the Arroyo administration riddled with human rights violations and corruption issues.

Alejano said he advocates the assertion of the Filipinos’ rights in the West Philippines Sea as well as the country’s security and sovereignty.

“Napakahirap tanggapin na parang ating gobyerno ay hinayaan lamang ang panghihimasok, pang-aagaw at pang-aabuso sa ating mamamayan. Ang West Philippine Sea ay sa atin at dapat natin ipaglaban iyan,” he said during his speech.

Gutoc-Tomawis meanwhile hails from the war-torn Islamic city of Marawi. She was a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission but she resigned due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks about soldiers raping women, the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, and the non-stop bombings of the Marawi City at the height of the Maute siege.

She hopes to be the first Maranao woman senator in the country.

“Ako, dumating sa Manila sariling sikap, tumindig para sa taong walang pangalan ang burol sa sementeryo dahil namatay sa bomba dahil sa terorismo…” she said.

“I can be the first Maranao woman senator, an indigenous person, na pwede manalo sa tulong ng tao,” Gutoc-Tomawis added.

Diokno, on the other hand, is the son of late Sen. Jose “Pepe” Diokno. The younger Diokno currently leads the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the oldest and largest groups of human rights lawyers.

Diokno said he would push for the reign of justice and human rights in the Philippines.

“I cannot be quiet and sit idly by when this government continues to kill thousands of people on what they mistakenly call as the war on drugs… that war is a war against democracy,” he said.

“I cannot remain silent in the face of all the injustice that I am seeing… I want to see peace and justice reign in our land,” he added. /je