Torch rally held in Fuente oval

GROUPS supporting Liberal Party (LP) candidates held separate activities in Cebu City and Mandaue City during the first day of the campaign period for national candidates yesterday.

The Noynoy-Mar Movement in Cebu held last night a torch rally called “The Ritual of Hope” and broadcast over an LCD screen in Fuente Osmeña the political rally held by LP candidates in Tarlac.

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More than 500 supporters of LP candidates Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Mar Roxas gathered at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda.

Some were from Cebu Province, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City.

Earlier, the 2,900-strong Mandaue City Urban Poor Federation in Mandaue City launched its political arm called Sulong Maralitang Pinoy (Sumapi) in support of Aquino and Roxas, who, they said, support their nine-point urban poor national agenda.

Sumapi official Annie Ibasitas said they have yet to agree who among the local candidates will get their support by March 26, the start of the campaign period for local candidates.

Attended by 375 urban poor leaders and members, the launching of Sumapi was held a day after Aquino’s birthday.

The Mandaue City Urban Poor Federation is an umbrella organization composed of 27 groups, said federation president Lita Balani said.

She told reporters in a press conference yesterday that they choose candidates based on their own criteria.

Balani said her group was impressed with Aquino’s response when they asked him about what he could do for them and he urged them to do their part.

The group’s nine-point agenda includes the acceleration of the delivery of housing programs, no eviction without relocation, provision of decent relocation, an increase of
the budgetary allocation for housing to P24 billion a year, creation of jobs and provision of livelihood, localization of housing delivery system, appointment of reform-
minded housing officials, sustainable and uninterrupted peace negotiation in Mindanao and a clear policy on on-site development for Metro Manila informal settlers affected by typhoon Ondoy.

With their “Kung walang kurap (corrupt) walang mahirap campaign,” urban poor leaders yesterday urged Sumapi members to be vigilant and to ensure the conduct of clean and honest elections.

Ibasitas said they will support local candidates who will embrace their local four-point agenda, which includes security of tenure, availability of basic services, introduction of integrated livelihood for each community and participatory and good governance.

She said to get the candidates’ assurance and to help them choose who among candidates to support, Sumapi will hold a candidates’ forum.

In last night’s activity, torches and candles were lit by supporters to show their support for Aquino and the other LP candidates.

Atty. Democrito Barcenas of the Noynoy-Mar Movement in Cebu told reporters that “Ritual of Hope” aims to send a message to Aquino’s political opponents that the citizens’ movement is alive and strong in Cebu.

Barcenas added that although they are worried that Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar is now tied with Aquino in the surveys, he believes Villar’s popularity is only because of how much he is spending to promote himself.