Aftereffects, MindanaOne to Move Forward

MindanaOne reiterates Commitment to Struggle for Peoples' Democratic Rights and Welfare.

MindanaOne in a statement posted in its blogsite have expressed their engagement in the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections but without illusion that the results will resolve the sad situation of the majority workers, poor and marginalized sectors of the society.

"It seems, the turn out for the National posts manifested the cry of the people for a change of leadership and frustrations from the lame and undecisive leadership for the past decade of the country," MindanaOne Chair Abulcair Balindong said. "And this is a big challenge not only for the elected candidates but also for the progressive groups and marginalized sectors to ensure consolidated and organized actions for the peoples demands and not be over-riden by the elites' interests," he added.

"We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to those who believed in us and our campaign for Partido Manggagawa Partylist and to the volunteers and those who have spent their energy despite of security and difficult situations. Whatever the outcome, we have so much efforts and tried to bring back an addition to marginalized workers and communities in the House of Representatives through Partylist System. It won't stop there," he added.

"Well, on Partylist elections, majority of the candidate parties were from rich and political clans. They were able to negotiate votes and even used symbiotically for common benefits which is to have votes. And Partylist groups are also involved in vote-buying. This is really sad. Partylist elections in the Philippines have been bastardized for so long. We don't lost hope still. This is part of our agenda, to have substantial reform for the law," Mr Balindong on the Partylist System.

When asked about their observations, Mr Balindong shared the group's list. "Though there were efforts to make it appear to public that this year's electoral process is different from the past, MindanaOne have observations: Massive and Organized Cheating across the Country; Violence (Threats, Killings, Injuries, Burning of Polling Centers, Grenade and IED explosions nearby polling centers and Harassment); Vote buying still rampant; Reports of Voters' Disenfranchisement; Express Lanes for PWDs, Pregnants and Senior Citizens are not enough; Pre-Shading of Ballots; VCMs malfunctioned; Flying Voters flooded; Minors are used to vote those who are not around; minors have been registered as voters; Reports of BEIs withdrawn from the task to assist due to security situation; Delay of Precinct Opening for Voting; A Person was able to vote more than once; Other person is voting for the other; and more... with these observations, Credibility of the Election Results are problematic. And we are challenging the COMELEC to have concrete actions to these few only of the reported cases."

"On our post-election plans, we already expressed less expectations from the political candidates running for office in the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections in the Philippines. Of course they were all claiming to be champions of peoples’ interests. They all cared and to care for the poor and for the environment but do not even presented concrete how’s of such pronouncements. What glaring were the billions spent for the campaign sorties and political advertisements at the very period when majority of the peoples and communities are starving with no food on their plates," Mr Balindong added.

According to Mr Balindong, "While we did engaged elections, but we have no illusion that this is alone the solution. MindanaOne have clear beyond election pro-peoples, pro-workers, pro-environment and pro-human rights platforms and agenda that guided us in our engagement this electoral process and prepared us for the non-stop struggle for democratic reforms and peoples' rights in different forms and venues. Yes, we will engage the new administration for the peoples' welfare and rights."

He then called all groups to develop and enrich sustainable economic and democratic governance models and advance People’s Democratic Rights and Welfare all the time and anywhere beyond slogans.

"There is no stopping in this struggle for a life with dignity unless it becomes true," Mr Balindong concluded.

(MindanaOne. May 11, 2016)