Persecuted party lists top survey, proof of mass support and political credibility

Anakpawis nominee Joel Maglunsod said that despite the continuing harassment against leaders and members of progressive partylists, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Womens Party are on top of the latest surveys conducted by SWS. Anakpawis, even with its first nominee Cong. Crispin Beltran still in incarceration, garnered 9.4% in the survey or equivalent to three Congressional seats.

"To show our determination in resisting all the harassment and attacks initiated by the Arroyo government against progressive party lists, Anakpawis will push through with the filing of our nominees on March 12, Monday at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Cong. Crispin Beltran will be with us."

"We expect to make good in the elections, we are working hard on it. We are not afraid of the threats and harassments. The public's continuing support to us is enough to embolden us in getting through this situation. We will surpass all these trials and be victorious in the end."

Maglunsod said people are welcoming them whenever they are going to campaigns and activities. "Ordinary people are not afraid of us, especially workers, peasants and poor people. They often tell us their problems and what they like us to do if we get elected in Congress," said the labor leader who is now in the Panay region campaigning for Anakpawis.

He said that attempts from Malacanang and the military to discredit and disqualify Anakpawis and other progressive party lists will not succeed. We are working harder in the campaign and in advocating people's rights and welfare. In the provinces, workers are denouncing regional wage boards for diminutive wage adjustments. We will continue to assert the P125 across-the-board wage increase."

"We are aware of the demolition job that Malacanang is spearheading against Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and other staunch Arroyo critics. We were initially informed that the demolition campaign is being run by a group close to First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Who knows, maybe DND Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor is also a part of this demolition team. We are still gathering more information about this. But it is likely that the government is behind all these, only the Arroyo camp, the AFP have the motives and machinery to launch an all out demolition campaign against us," Maglunsod said.