Partylist groups back Angara's senatorial bid

Three partylist groups have expressed their formal support to reelectionist Senator Edgardo J. Angara for his excellent legislative record.

In a joint statement, the party list groups Anak ng Mindanao (AMIN), An Waray and the Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) said that the legislation Angara produced in the previous Congresses empower the marginalized sectors in the country like children, youth and women, elderly or senior citizens and even the disabled persons, among others.

AMIN Party Rep. Mujiv Hataman revealed that his party is supporting Angara because of the latter's independence and sterling legislative record.

"Sen. Angara has always thought of what else could be done for the good of the country. Records show that he had produced laws which provide basic social services from health benefits for our elderly to upgrading the salaries of our educators," Hataman said in a phone interview.

Meanwhile, An Waray Rep. Florencio Noel said that he personally witnessed how Angara contributed to the economic growth in the islands of Samar and Leyte.

"For instance, Sen. Angara had contributed more than five million pesos in the years 2002 and 2005 for the construction of school buildings, path ways and farm-to-market roads in Samar and Leyte. What we need in the Senate are more legislators like him who knows where to properly allocate resources to pursue the right kind of projects," Noel said.

CIBAC Partylist Rep. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva also expressed support to Angara, who he thinks is a "platform-based politician".

"Sen. Angara has remained true to his commitment to good governance and unwavering fight against graft and corruption. For one, he authored the Procurement Reform Act which now stands as the Philippines' biggest anti-corruption measure. And two, he is either a leader or a member of various international movements against graft and corruption like the SEAPAC, the GOPAC and the UNCAC," Villanueva said.

Urging his fellow government officials, Angara said: "Our real responsibility is to our country and to our people. Right now, we have all the opportunities--lower inflation and interest rates, stable currency and the economic outlook is good. We have to use these to our advantage, rather than squander these opportunities because of political bickering and selfish agenda."