Akbayan's Hontiveros in LP senatorial ticket

MANILA - Seeking to reclaim the presidency since President Diosdado Macapagal occupied Malacañang from 1961-1965, the Liberal Party (LP) is engaged in talks with different party-list groups as it consolidates its resources and forces for the May 2010 polls.

Former Batanes Rep. and LP Vice-President for platforms and policies Florencio Abad told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak that talks are ongoing with some party-list groups for possible partnerships and alliances for the synchronized national and local elections.

“These are reform elements in the political system, and the partnership aims to strengthen the gains we've had in reforms,” Abad said.

On Sunday, the LP pulled off a coup over rival political parties when the leftist party-list group, Akbayan, endorsed the presidential bid of LP President, Senator Manuel 'Mar' Roxas II.

Akbayan adopted a resolution endorsing Roxas following its national congress last week. It was the first time since it joined the party-list race in 1998, that Akbayan is backing the candidacy of a presidential candidate.

The LP, for its part, offered Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros a slot in its 12-man senatorial slate. Akbayan has accepted the offer.

The partnership has raised some eyebrows considering the divergent histories of Roxas and Akbayan.  Roxas’s family is considered among the few oligarchs that control the country’s wealth, while Akbayan is known for its militant and leftist beginnings and views.

Comparative advantages

The engagement between the established political party LP and the Akbayan party began in 2007 when both agreed to an informal arrangement to monitor and protect each other’s votes.

As a party-list, Akbayan is not entitled to a copy of the election returns, or ERs from the precincts, making it vulnerable to fraud. On the other hand, the LP, as a major political party, is entitled to a copy.

In exchange for providing Akbayan with its copies of ERs, volunteers from Akbayan monitored the votes cast for LP senatorial bets in areas where the LP presence is weak. Akbayan boasts of a strong national presence.

In reconciling the divergent backgrounds of Roxas and Akbayan, youth organizer Jonas Bagas of Akbayan said the national council decided that Roxas is the only candidate “who is unlikely to enter into a compromise with President Arroyo.”

Some presidential wannabes are said to be in talks with President Arroyo for tacit support in the elections. Despite her negative popularity rating, Arroyo still enjoys the support of many local government units that remain a potent system for vote-delivery.

In exchange, analysts said Arroyo supposedly wants "protection" after her term expires.

Similarities and differences

Bagas noted that Roxas' and Akbayan’s positions are opposed in some ways, but they also find themselves on the same side in some cases. Roxas, for instance, supported the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) while Akbayan sought its rejection.

In the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Round, Akbayan found itself allied with Roxas in opposing another round of trade negotiations. The Doha Development Round aims to further lower trade barriers.

Hontiveros, in a separate phone interview, said that while Roxas may have an aristocratic background, this has imbued him with a keen sense of “noblesse oblige” that they found appealing. “He has risen to some occasions,” in championing people’s causes, Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros said Akbayan also spoke with other presidential candidates, but the group found “enough commonality of values” with Roxas.

Other party-list groups

Abad said that LP is also in talks with party-list groups like Anak Mindanao and Bayan Muna for partnerships, as well as with civil society groups like Black and White, and Kaya Natin! “These groups represent the reform elements in the electoral system,” he said.

Abad said LP and Akbayan would still fine-tune the mechanics of their cooperation for the May 2010 polls.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, who will be launching his senatorial bid on Tuesday, said other political parties like LP are also courting their party-list group for a possible alliance.

He said Bayan Muna “is open to [a] coalition” as long as there is commonality of platforms with the candidates and the political parties.

So far, he said “none of the candidates have yet to present their platforms of government.” He refused to comment on the LP-Akbayan partnership, saying he is not privy to the arrangement.

Bayan Muna and Akbayan are two of the more established party-list groups, with grassroots presence and machinery nationwide. -- by Aries Rufo, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak