Pormal na inilunsad ng Oposisyon Koalisyon ang mga kandidato nito para sa Senador sa halalan ng 2019 ngayong araw, ika-24 ng Oktubre, sa Parang Gymnasium sa Marikina, at tinawag ang mga taga-suporta nitong sundan ang tagline na “Makinig. Matuto. Kumilos.”
Sa pagtitipong hitik sa mga volunteer at supporters ng walong kandidato, ibinida ni Oposisyon Koalisyon Campaign Manager Sen. Kiko Pangilinan ang mga katangiang kinakatawan ng slate. “Pagtiwalag ito sa “follow me!” leadership model na dahilan ng paghahari ng personality politics at sistemang padrino sa bansa. Isa itong bagong kinabukasang pulitikal; isang sigaw para sa pamumunong bukas, aktibista, at responsable,” sabi pa ni Pangilinan.
Si Vice President Leni Robredo naman ang pormal na nagpakilala sa mga kandidatong sina candidates Bam Aquino, Gary Alejano, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romy Macalintal, Mar Roxas, at Erin Tañada bilang nagkakaisang buo.
“Ang solusyon ay nasa taumbayan, at ang solusyon, pagpili ng taumbayan ng mga lider na marunong makinig. Ang responsibilidad natin bilang mga lider ay ang pakinggan sila. Bumaba po tayo sa ating mga kinatatayuan at makiisa sa mga taong dumadaan sa matinding hirap, dahil iyong solusyon po ay nasa kanila… Ang laban ng walo, laban ng bawat Pilipino,” sabi ng Bise Presidente.
“Pangako ito ng ating pamunuan, at isang panawagan sa ating mga volunteer. Kilos na nagbubukal sa malasakit ang isa sa mga hiblang nagtatahi sa mga kandidato natin,” tuloy pa ni Pangilinan. “Makinig; ibig sabihin, buksan ang puso sa totoong pangangailangan at mithiin ng taumbayan. Matuto—isang hamon na magpakumbaba, at tanggaping marami tayong matututuhan sa karanasan at wisdom ng taumbayan. Kumilos naman ang panawagan na tugunan ang mga prayoridad—with urgency and purpose,” dagdag pa niya.
“Naniniwala tayo: Ang tunay na kapangyarihang pulitikal ay wala sa kamay na bakal ng mga pulitikong nasa poder. Masigla itong dumadaloy sa puso ng isang aktibista, mapagmalasakit, at determinadong mamamayan,” pagtatapos niya.
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8 Oposisyon Koalisyon (OK) Senate bets vow to make economy OK; volunteers galvanized by “Makinig. Matuto. Kumilos.” call
The Oposisyon Koalisyon (OK) formally launched its Senatorial slate for the 2019 Elections today, October 24, at the Parang Gymnasium in Marikina City, exhorting its support base to follow the “Makinig. Matuto. Kumilos.” tagline as an imperative.
In an event brimming with volunteers and followers of its eight candidates, Oposisyon Koalisyon Campaign General Manager Sen. Francis Pangilinan touted the values embodied by the slate. “This is a departure from the ‘Follow me!’ leadership model that has perpetuated the ugly reign of personality politics and patronage in our country. It is the new political future, a battlecry for inclusive and responsible leadership,” said Pangilinan.
Vice President Leni Robredo delivered the address that formally introduced candidates Bam Aquino, Gary Alejano, Chel Diokno, Samira Gutoc, Florin Hilbay, Romy Macalintal, Mar Roxas, and Erin Tañada to the public as as a united whole.
“Ang solusyon ay nasa taumbayan, at ang solusyon, pagpili ng taumbayan ng mga lider na marunong makinig. Ang responsibilidad natin bilang mga lider ay ang pakinggan sila. Bumaba po tayo sa ating mga kinatatayuan at makiisa sa mga taong dumadaan sa matinding hirap, dahil iyong solusyon po ay nasa kanila… Ang laban ng walo, laban ng bawat Pilipino.” said the Vice President.
“This is a promise by our leadership, as well as an exhortation to our volunteers. Empathy-driven action is one of the main threads that weave our candidates together,” continued Pangilinan. “Makinig means opening our hearts to the real needs and aspirations of our people. Matuto is a challenge to have the humility to acknowledge that we have much to learn from our people’s experience and wisdom. Kumilos is a call to act on their priorities with urgency and purpose,” he added.
“We firmly believe: Real political power does not lie in the iron fists of well entrenched, powerful politicians. It flows vigorously from the hearts of an activist, compassionate and determined people,” he concluded.
Oposisyon Koalisyon Candidates
Gary Alejano
Gary Alejano is currently the representative of the Magdalo Party-List. He has authored bills and resolutions on security sector reform, good governance and anti-corruption, and sustainable development.
Bam Aquino
Bam Aquino is a world-renowned social entrepreneur and a senator, who served as the principal sponsor of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Chel Diokno
Chel Diokno is the son of the late Senator Pepe Diokno. He is the head of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and was the founding Dean of the De La Salle University College of Law whose educational program highlights human rights and legal aid as an integral component of the curriculum.
Samira Gutoc
Samira Gutoc was a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. She resigned from that post after President Duterte made misogynistic remarks about soldiers raping women, martial law in Mindanao, and the non-stop bombings of Marawi City at the height of the Maute siege.
Florin Hilbay
Florin Hilbay was the youngest Solicitor General under the 1987 Constitution. As Solgen, he was instrumental in bringing in Php 60 billion in coconut levy funds to government coffers, for the benefit of the farmers. He was part of the Philippine contingent to The Hague and successfully defended the country’s ownership over the West Philippine Sea.
Romy Macalintal
Romy Macalintal, better known as “Mr. Senior Citizen” is an election lawyer who advocates for the rights of senior citizens.
Mar Roxas
Mar Roxas is backed by a 20-year stint in public service as a Congressman, Senator, and Secretary of three national government agencies. He is an advocate of good governance that upholds honesty in public service, provides solutions to real problems of the people, stands for what is morally right and cares about the future of the nation.
Erin Tañada
Erin Tañada was the representative of Quezon Province District 4 and was the Majority Floor Leader then Deputy Speaker of the House. He is recognized as the champion of the Freedom of Information, staunchly pushing for government transparency and accountability.