Bam Aquino hints of multi-party opposition coalition for 2019 midterm polls

Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday hinted at a possible political coalition composed of candidates across sectors and political parties, and even “former enemies,” for the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.

“Maraming mga pag-uusap, so ayoko pangunahan. Pero magugulat ka kasi hindi ito yung mga traditional na mga pangalan,” Aquino said in an ambush interview in Quezon City.

“May mga ibang pangalan mula sa iba’t ibang sektor, mula sa mga NGO, mga simbahan- iba iba,” he added.

The opposition senator and Liberal Party (LP) member reiterated his stance that a “genuine opposition” is needed in the next national elections.

“But ang mahalaga, lahat ng mga nag-iisip na kailangan pa rin ng oposisyon sa ating bansa, yun ang dapat magsama-sama. Kahit sabihin nating in the past, hindi magkakaibigan, o hindi magkakapartido, ngayon siguro ang panahon na kailangan talaga tayo magtulungan at magsama-sama,” he said.

READ: Bam Aquino to join ‘genuine’ opposition slate in 2019

The lawmaker said talks are still on going in forming the said coalition, but he said that the group would be composed of more than two political parties.

“Right now, ang magiging porma ng oposisyon, hindi lang isa o dalawang partido. Ito ang mga galing sa iba’t ibang mga grupo, iba’t ibang mga sektor. Kahit masabi natin baka in the past baka nagaaway-away, pero ngayon kailangan magtulungan at magsama-sama na rin,” he added.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, a member of the House Makabayan opposition bloc, said there are no talks yet between their group and the LP. But he said they are open for a coalition as long as they maintain their principle of a “genuine politics of change.”

“Depende pa (coalition). Pero as you said, bukas palagi ang Makabayan for as long as masusuri natin na maisusulong ang totoong pulitika ng pagbabago,” Tinio told reporters in Thursday’s Makabayan bloc press briefing.

While, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said this possibility is still “too early to say,” Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said this is possible as long as their principles and independence would not be compromised.

“Our policy in coalescing or alliances with other political forces, meron kaming sine-set na principles, we work independently. We support or cooperate on certain common grounds, but our independence will never be compromised,” Casilao said.

“Yung principle na the enemy of our enemy is our friend, hindi maga-apply kung ang makikipag coalesce sa amin ay mayroong historical na mataas na listahan ng pagkakasala sa sambayanan,” he added.   /muf