MANILA – The only son of the late Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos has been “disowned†by the political party founded by his father reportedly for forging an alliance with another party without its consent.
Leaders of the “real†Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL or New Society Movement) said they decided to disown Congressman Ferdinand “Bongbong†Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte province in Northern Luzon for agreeing to be one of the senatorial candidates of the Nacionalista (Nationalist) Party (NP) in the May 2010 elections.
In joining the NP, Bongbong, the only son and namesake of the late dictator, said he did so after much consultation and debate within the members of his family and endorse the NP standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar in the coming polls.
Bongbong added he and his sister, former congressswoman Imee Marcos whom he identified as the KBL secretary-general, believe that the country could move forward with Villar at the helm.
He added he and Villar had agreed that the issue at hand is poverty, and not the impact of the regime of Marcos who has been alleged to have enriched himself while in office along with other members of his family and their cronies.
At the same time, Bongbong admitted he had difficulty in making the decision because he had to consider his relationship with two close associates of his father – ousted president Joseph Estrada and his godfather businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, the founder of the Nationalist People’s Coalition which is identified with the Arroyo administration.
Despite questions of its legality, Estrada said he is determined to run for president next year to “reclaim†Malacanang following his ouster by the Edsa People Power 2 revolution in 2001 for alleged massive graft and corruption.
But lawyer Vicente Millora, who identified himself as the chairman of the “real†KBL, argued that Bongbong could not speak for the party because he already resigned as a member in 1987.
“Only the KBL national directorate may represent the party,†Millora said. But he added that former first lady Imelda Marcos continues to be the honorary chairman of the party.
Another KBL leader, Janul Dianalan, the party vice chairman at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said they would inform the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of their decision to “delist†Bongbong as a party member.
Dianalan also claimed that Bongbong’s alliance with the NP has compromised the lineup of KBL candidates at the provincial and congressional levels because they would be running against the NP bets.
With Bongbong’s entry into the NP, however, two militant lawmakers announced they were withdrawing as “guest candidates†for senator of the party and instead run as independents.
The two, Congressman Satur Ocampo of the party list group “Bayan Muna†(Country First) and Congresswoman Liza Masa of Gabriela pointed out the inclusion of Bongbong in the NP senatorial slate made their position “untenable.â€
“We cannot accept Senator Villar’s statement that Filipinos should forget the past,†Ocampo said. “He had promised us that he would pursue the issues of compensation for human rights victims during martial law and the recovery of the wealth of the Marcoses.â€
He added any future leader of the country, who promises good governance has to make past leaders accountable for their misdeeds, from the Marcoses to President Arroyo.
Loading ...
Reader’s Views