Militant lawmaker belies anew accusations she used ‘pork’ for NDF
Activist-turned-lawmaker Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza reiterated Friday that there is no truth to accusations that she used her pork barrel to finance activities of the National Democratic Front (NDF).
"Yan ay gasgas nang akusasyon. We received funds from 2001 to 2004 and those were used for schools, roads and bridges. This can even be checked with the Department of Budget and Management," Maza said during Unang Hirit's Hiritan 2010: Senatorial Edition.
Also in the program's segment were senatorial candidates Adz Nikabulin (Bangon Pilipinas) and Lito David (Ang Kapatiran).
"From 2005, we got zero from the so-called pork barrel. So those accusations are all lies meant as black propaganda and red-baiting," added Maza, a senatorial bet of the Nacionalista Party.
She denied that she is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines, but admitted sharing its advocacy, which is social justice. She added that the CPP, Gabriela and Bayan Muna have always been separate organizations.
Maza also said she does not advocate the violent overthrow of government as it is against the 1987 Constitution.
Hacienda Luisita issue
On the issue of Hacienda Luisita, Maza said the farmers themselves sought justice, contrary to claims of Liberal Party presidential bet Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III that problems only began when activists started intervening on the issue.
"At the time of the strike, the farmers were earning 9.50 per day. Our suggestion is to give them the land in accordance with the land reform mandate and the land-to-the-tiller principle. Not just in Hacienda Luisita but all over the Philippines," she said in Filipino.Maza also said defending NP standard bearer Senator Manuel Villar Jr. was not her priority.
"Senator Villar can face those issues on his own. What is more important for me now is explaining my platform to the people," she said.
She also does not regret her joining NP, saying they were pushing for the same advocacy. "It is clear that we are both fighting for agricultural development, as well as the development of local industries."
Media coverage
Meanwhile, Nikabulin lamented the lack of media coverage for first time candidates like him. He ranked 43-61 in last month's recent Pulse Asia survey.
However, Nikabulin is thankful for the opportunity from GMA Network. "To me this is a triumph of the little people, to be heard. In our many campaigns and sorties, we don't get substantial coverage," he said.
He said the country’s old problems need new solutions. "Yung mga bago may mga bagong idea. Lugmok na tayo sa kahirapan. This is about time that the media people should give chance to those who are new."
Nikabulin said he is running because he feels the national government has frustrated local efforts in Mindanao for peace and development.
"They have not delivered any substantial package for the peace and development in Mindanao. With my election I would really come out with a substantial package that would ensure peace and development," he said.
Asked how he came to be Home Minister in Sulu, Nikabulin said that although the sultanate has no sovereign power, it has ecclesiastical power.
"It is a godly system and that is from the Koran. We still recognize that the Sultan is the leader of the sultanate community," he said.
"As Home Minister, I secure the sultan, the constituency. We are doing some humanitarian work, we travel all over the world to promote the advocacy of the sultan for the recovery of Saba through peaceful means," he added.
Nikabulin is also the commanding general of the Mindanao Composite Task Force command, the Bangsamoro Armed Forces, and political emissary for the Moro National Liberation Force (MNLF).
He claimed having 35,000 men under his command, and the MNLF has about half a million membership.
"Yes, the MNLF is armed. It is not in the agreement that we have to lay down our arms. That is why we need to come up with a mechanism to uphold the 1996 Final Peace Agreement," he said.
GMA Network is fair
Like Nikabulin, Ang Kapatiran's David, also a first time candidate, was pleased with GMA Network's coverage. "GMA is fair and clear in their coverage of candidates," he said.
Despite his dismal performance in the surveys, David disagreed with Bagumbayan presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon's decision to file a temporary restraining order against pollsters Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations.
"I find no reason for Gordon to file a TRO (temporary restraining order). How we interpret surveys is up to us. Those are merely guides. We have to be cautious, because these surveys are done as a whole, but those who commission them can present them in part only," he said.
David, whose curriculum vitae is blank from 2008 onwards, explains that he had been an independent consultant for some politicians. He also claims to have had a decade of work in the Senate.
"My experience is greater than many who are aspiring senators. My candidacy is like a return to the Senate," he said.
He also said that many laws passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate are made by unnamed staff. "I have made many laws already, but they cannot be credited to me. The true makers of laws are staff like myself. They are just under the names of a few senators," he said.
David did not wish to disclose the names of politicians he had worked with. He, however, admitted working with some party-list representatives like Anakpawis and Bayan Muna. — with Amita Legaspi/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV
