Kaakbay and the Millennium Development Goals

Media has been coming out with news items on party lists which have been accredited by COMELEC. Party list groups represent marginalized sectors. As with many other institutions of government, the party list system has been abused.

It is widely known that the First Gentleman’s sister who lives in Forbes Park represents “marginalized small business people.” The son of a senator represents farmers! Major religions have their own party lists as well as aggrupations based on language.

Not so KAAKBAY. It was accredited by the COMELEC last November 2009 as “Kapatiran ng mga Anak ng Bayan.” Its platform advocates the Millennium Development Goals, specifically agriculture, education, health and the environment. It also campaigns for budget reforms. Its track record of active membership in the Alternative Budget Initiative convened by Social Watch Philippines is well established.

If elected, KAAKBAY will surely expand its advocacy and sponsor bills which will provide adequate budget support for the MDGs. It will advocate laws which will help ensure that promising young Filipinos will not senselessly bleed to death.

Visit the KAAKBAY website at www.kaakbay.org