Colmenares : Marcos Jr. doesn’t deserve to be president

Colmenares : Marcos Jr. doesn’t deserve to be president

Kabayan Talks Halalan Series

Senatorial candidate Atty. Neri Colmenares, human rights lawyer, activist, and the youngest political prisoner during the Martial Law era.

By Lea Luciano
The Philippine Reporter

Kabayans for Leni and Kiko together with 1Sambayan Canada, Akbayan Canada, Bicol Canada Community Association, Manitobans for Leni, Team Leni Robredo Montreal, Migrante Canada, Bayan Canada and Migrante Canada hosted an online forum Kabayan Talks Halalan Series with senatorial candidate Atty. Neri Colmenares on February 17, 2022.

Kabayan Talks Halalan Series started last November 15, 2021, to get to know the candidates for the 2022 Philippine elections.

Previous guests were senatorial candidates Atty. Chel Diokno, Sen. Sonny Trillanes, Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Sen. Leila De Lima, Atty. Alex Lacson and vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan.

Neri Colmenares is a human rights lawyer, activist, and the youngest political prisoner during the Martial Law era.

“Your part as overseas Filipinos will play a large, substantial role in that campaign through social media to clarify that the Marcoses, the great pretenders of Malacañang, do not deserve to be president of the Filipino people once more,” said Colmenares.
Colmenares is the recipient of the 2020 International Bar Association (IBA) for his outstanding contribution in fighting and advocating for human rights.

During his three-term as representative for Bayan Muna Party List, he authored bills to increase pension for senior citizens, award compensation for Martial Law victims, and ban political dynasties.

As a lawyer, he petitioned against price hikes of basic goods and services, provided free legal assistance for victims of human rights violations, and he acted as counsel in the complaint filed against Duterte in the International Criminal Court.

This year Filipinos commemorate the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that ended the rule of dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The Philippines faces the threat of another Marcos rule with the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the May 2022 national elections.

“Marcos Jr. is a very dangerous president,” said Colmenares.

He is the only senatorial candidate who was imprisoned and tortured during the time of Martial Law.

“Any president who believes that martial law is a great government is a dangerous president because he could implement that during his term.”

Colmenares added that Bongbong Marcos has not shown any remorse for the human rights violations that took place during his father’s reign.

As the senatorial candidate running under the Makabayan bloc, Colmenares explained the reason why they are supporting the Leni-Kiko tandem for the president and vice-president positions.

“Importante sa Makabayan ang plataporma kasi sabi ko nga ang members ng Makabayan ay farmers, workers, youth, indigenous people at iba pa,” said Colmenares.

“Marami kaming commonalities sa plataporma kung kaya madaling makumbinsi ang mga supporters ng Makabayan na suportahan si Leni-Kiko kasi sila ang nakita namen na magi-implement, magpapatagumpay sa interes ng maraming hinaing at maraming issues ng ating mga kababayan.”

As the election nears, especially with the absentee voting happening on April 10, Colmenares calls on the Filipino overseas voters to elect leaders that will fight for the rights and welfare of the masses.

“May mga kandidatong magsasabi na ako pro-people ako, pro-manggagawa, pro-magsasaka, pro-OFW, pro-overseas Filipinos, but ask them specific questions on their pro-people platforms, ano ba talaga ang plataporma mo?” said Colmenares.

“We want a society that is developed, eradicated ang poverty, ang violations of human rights, may respect sa karapatan ng kababaihan, respect sa karapatan ng lahat, respect sa environment, isang lipunan na gusto nyong uwian.”

With the power of social media, Filipinos abroad can reach out to their families and campaign for the right candidate to vote for.

“One of the most powerful dictators in the world bit the dust in 1986 and we can do it again,” said Colmenares.

“I’m very sure with people’s support and the realization of the Filipino people of the false narratives and the fake news of the Marcos-Duterte tandem, we will win in 2022.”