Party list suggests to GO and Team Unity – "settle on Mendiola as venue for senatorial public debate"

Progressive Partylist Anakpawis through its third nominee Joel Maglunsod suggested that the best place to hold the public debate between administration and opposition senatoriables is at Mendiola.

"Journalist Joaquin "Chino" Roces' monument stands at Mendiola as a symbol of freedom of speech and expression. Since Team Unity rejected Plaza Miranda as venue for the debate, we think Mendiola is the most appropriate place to hold the debate. It's now time for the Arroyo administration to remove the barbwires along Mendiola and make it accessible again to the public. Democracy and not rule of the few reign in this country."

Maglunsod is certain that many people will watch the debate if both parties agree to hold it Mendiola. "If the administration opts for a closed venue like what Team Unity Spokesperson Ace Durano hinted, both sides can choose among the universities along Mendiola Consortium. But it would be better if the debate will be open to the public and if possible televised on national TV channels. At this point in time, the public needs something more noteworthy to watch other than the marital woes of Kris Aquino and basketball star James Yap."

He added, "We will be there as well as the voting public who are looking forward to what Senatoriables have to say on important issues concerning the country. In particular, workers want to know their stand on issues like legislated wage hike demands, tax policies, foreign policies and other pertinent issues."

On the Anti-Terror Bill

The labor leader and congressional nominee said that Arroyo's dogged stance on the Anti-Terror Bill will definitely have damaging political repercussions on the administration's Team Unity slate as well as legislators who gave an affirmative vote on the Human Security Act which was approved in haste by the 13th Congress during its Special Session last February 19 and 20.

"While Australia, US and UK governments are lauding RP for its anti-terror campaign, international pressure against political killings is also mounting. Anakpawis Party List is fully supporting efforts to bring the cases of extra judicial killings to the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal's Second Session on the Philippines (PPT2 Philippines) that will be held on 21-25 March 2007 at the Hague, the Netherlands.

Labor leader Elmer Labog of the Kilusang Mayo Uno will be one of the major witnesses that will present the stance of progressive groups forwarding the complaints to the PPT. He will stress on the killings of more than 76 workers and labor advocates in the country including the case of Hacienda Luisita massacre and killed Nestle labor leader Diosdado Fortuna."