Party-list rep: Disband armed group

REPRESENTATIVE Teddy Casiño of Bayanmuna said that the Revolutionary Proletarian Army (RPA) should be disbanded like any other private armies if they continue to act like one during elections.

Casiño made the statement amid reports that RPA members in previous elections were actively involved in election campaign and were allegedly used by some politicians to intimidate voters.

"The government should disband these groups," Casiño said.

Casiño was in Bacolod City last Saturday for the distribution of scholarship assistance to more than 60 scholars in the province.

The distribution was held at the Governor's Hall where each scholar received a check amounting to P5,000.

Casiño also said that he preferred to be an independent candidate for senator in the 2013 elections so that he could carry the platform of government of the poor and marginalized sector.

He said that they also noticed that the two big coalitions, LP coalition and UNA, are composed of the same political families.

"We want to bring the real change in our political system. Coalitions are good but it's bad if it continues to promote political dynasty in the country," Casiño stressed.

Bayanmuna as a party list group

Casiño said that although Comelec has not yet come up with the official list of the party-list groups that will be accredited to participate in 2013 elections, they are hopeful that Bayanmuna would be able to hurdle the screening process of Comelec.

"It is very clear that we represent the marginalized sector and that we have the track record for bringing the rights and welfare of the marginalized sector like the peasant, the employees, the fisherfolks and the other marginalized sectors," Casiño said.

Casiño brings the battle cry to lower the Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and power. He said that in other countries, water and power are tax-free or are charged with very minimal tax.