My dear countrymen.... by Professor Leonor Magtolis Briones

See this letter;

My dear countrymen,

In a few days, we will be holding what can be considered perhaps the most crucial electoral exercise in the country.

We are going to select our next president, vice-president, senators, representatives, and local officials. The election of representatives covers not only geographical representation but also party list representation for marginalized sectors.

The election is taking place in an environment of multiple crises: economic and social difficulties, natural calamities triggered by climate change, a serious crisis of governance, and a deepening moral crisis in our society.

The selection of our next set of leaders is not only a right on the part of every citizen. It is also a sacred duty which must be performed with due diligence and careful deliberation

This is true particularly in the case of party list representatives. The noble intent of the Constitution is to insure that the interests of the marginalized sectors will be adequately articulated and represented. As we all know, the party list system has been corrupted by unethical practices which are prevalent in the political system. Concerns have been expressed that a significant number of party list organizations are mere extensions of dominant political parties and personalities. The intention is to increase access to pork barrel allocations and expand the number of command votes in Congress. All of us are aware that crucial decisions will be made in the newly elected Congress. These decisions will determine the form of our government, as well as settle urgent issues on the matter of our huge deficit, alarming level of borrowings, debates on whether to impose new taxes, how to mitigate climate change, reduce rising levels of poverty, and many other problems. I am therefore seeking your support for KAAKBAY, a party list organization which has selected me as its nominee. The platform of KAAKBAY is anchored on the Millennium Development Goals, particularly education, health, agriculture and the environment. KAAKBAY is part of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) convened by Social Watch Philippines. ABI has a proven track record of increasing budgetary allocations for the above sectors for the past four years. On its own KAAKBAY has initiated social development projects. It is best known for its work in protecting the environment, particularly birdlife. It has initiated mass actions on energy and other national issues. It is said that politicians are the most “promising people” in the world. There is no need for KAAKBAY to make promises. It stands firmly on its record of achievements. As nominee, my track record as academic, public official and advocate for the marginalized and deprived is a matter of public record. I look forward to your support come Election Day. Together, let us show that it is possible to elect qualified and committed citizens to Congress without resorting to vote-buying, cheating, mud-slinging and unprincipled compromises. I seek your mandate and I pray that with God’s will, you will grant it. Yours for a reformed Philippines, Prof. LEONOR “LILING” MAGTOLIS BRIONES KAAKBAY Party List Nominee (No. 151 on the COMELEC ballot)

PS. May we invite you to please visit the weblinks below to know more about KAAKBAY Partylist and to help in the campaign: 11 Ways how to help and support in the campaign - http://mim.io/0b103 Nominees to Congress - http://mim.io/8f103 Platform of Government - http://mim.io/f0203 Party Profile - http://mim.io/24203 Audio and Video Files - http://mim.io/4a723 Campaign Email/Letter - http://mim.io/50e2 KAAKBAY Partylist Lower Ground, Crispina Building, 1589 Quezon Avenue West Triangle, 1104 Quezon City, Philippines Mobile Phones: +639185145174, +639224364613, +639053150107 Landline Telephone: +6329299492 kaakbay@gmail.com www.151kaakbay.com www.kaakbay.org

W8, among them is Philippine Representative and KAAKBAY Partylist Nominee to COngress Leonor Magtolis Briones, meet Belgian Prime Minister, Yves Leterme, who will be the incoming European Union President. Credit: Tineke D'haese/Oxfam Read more: www.oxfam.org/w8

W8, Philippine Representative and KAAKBAY Partylist Nominee to COngress Leonor Magtolis Briones, at Oxfam MDG Hearing event in European Parliament and meeting with European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs. Credit: Tineke D'haese/Oxfam Read more: www.oxfam.org/w8

The group, Philippine Representative and KAAKBAY Partylist Nominee to COngress Leonor Magtolis Briones, was interviewed by Judit Mascó (ex-model/ VIP/ member of IO advisory board) for Marie Claire Spanish edition. An exciting exchange of views and stories took place during the interview and photo session. The interview will feature in the June 2010 edition of Spanish Marie Claire (www.marie-claire.es). Credit: Pablo Tosco / Oxfam International. Read more: www.oxfam.org/w8

©2010 KAAKBAY Partylist | 1589 Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, 1104 Quezon City, Philippines