Bayan: people’s movement for genuine change continues

Press Release

May 19, 2010

Davao City – Responding to persistent reports of widespread electoral fraud, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the people's movement will continue to strengthen to end systemic and centuries-old practice of corruption, abuse of power in Philippine politics and foreign domination.

“The recently concluded national elections, with all the flaws and taints of electoral fraud, have failed to assure our people of a moral and principled governance. The process alone was a manifestation of a rotten political system in the country dominated by old elite and traditional politicians,” Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

“As far as the monitoring of Kontra Daya is concerned, vote buying and harassment hounded the elections. As millions of voters were disenfranchised, the entire electoral process is not yet cleared from allegations of massive electoral fraud and the alleged corruption by no less than the officials of the COMELEC, “Birondo noted.

Bayan also belittled the military's General Holganza’s claim of defeat for local and national bets of the progressive bloc. “The people’s movement will never be defeated. With or without the elections, the struggle for justice and equality will continue to bring thousands of protesting people in the streets,” Birondo stressed.

“What is more evident is the fact that the military failed to cause the defeat of progressive partylist organizations. We also welcome the fact the “butcher” retired general Jovito Palparan have failed, so far, to sow violence in the city and prevent volunteers and activists from freely campaigning for progressive candidates,” Birondo said.

“Our representation of the people’s true voice recognizes no boundaries. We shall continue advancing the people’s agenda for land rights, just wages, housing, education, and basic social services no matter what,” Birondo added.