The first time I saw this political ad on Facebook, I had goosebumps.
Here’s the lyrics to the song:
Awit ng Pagasa
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Mula sa pagsikat ng bagong umaga (From the dawn of the new day)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Hanggang maglaho ang huling sinag ng tala (until the light of the last star disappears)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Upang sa puso’y mamayani ang pag-asa (So hope may reign in the heart)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
At katarungan ang maghari sa ating mga diwa (And justice will rule in our values)
(Bayan muna) (Country first)
Bayan muna, Sigaw ng bagong politika (Country first, the cry of new politics)
Sa pangalan, sa salita, at sa gawa (In name, words, and deeds)
Bayan muna (country first)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Makatao, makamasa, makabansa (pro-people, pro-masses, for the country)
Bayan muna, Bayan muna (country first) (country first)
Pinoy (Filipino)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Bayan muna (country first)
(Bayan muna) (country first)
Bayan muna (country first)
***
The ad claims the following:
Nag-alay sa buhay (Gave their lives)
As of January 5, 2010, 142 members of Bayan Muna fell victim to extrajudicial killings. This includes mass leaders, church workers, health workers, the common people (Link to Satur Ocampo’s speech). They were killed not because they did something wrong or because they possessed something of value to a criminal. They were killed because they selflessly served the people. They chose to deny a bright future, they chose to make sacrifices, and eventually they died in a manner that they chose – while serving the people. They died a selfless death. True heroes. Our modern heroes.
Lumalaban para sa bayan (Fighting for the people/country)
Several times they have opposed policies that are disadvantageous to the people like the Visiting Forces Agreement, which technically justifies the presence of American troops in Philippine soil and the fight for genuine agrarian reform (GARB), which the administration junked in favor with the extension of the failed existing program (CARPER).
Senatoriable Satur Ocampo explained his No vote on CARPER:
“umaasa pa rin kami na mapasa man ang bill na ito, sana iyong aming alternative bill, ang Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) na siyang tumutumbok doon sa mga problema para tuluyan nating mapawi ang pagkakaugat ng piyudalismo sa ating agrikultura, matulungang, maiahon ang ating mga magbubukid. (We are hoping that if this [agrarian reform] will be passed it would be our alternative bill [GARB], which addresses the problem (on agrarian reform) so that we would finally unroot feudalism in agriculture, and help raise the standard of living of our farmers)
Kailangan nating harapin ang tunay na problema sa kanayunan at sa pamamahagi sa mayorya ng mamamayan nang hindi sa bigat na hindi nila mapapakinabangan ito (We need to face the real problems in the countryside, not simply by distributing (land) which they would not have any use of).”
Pulitika ng pagbabago (Politics of change)
Since they started representing their constituents in Congress, they have consistently shown that they are genuine, true to their word. They are not just about making promises, they are not about putting up roads and all other infrastructure projects, definitely, they are not for white elephants, rather, they take advantage of their seat in Congress to genuinely represent the people. All three representatives have sponsored countless of bills and resolutions, all of which addresses the needs of the common Filipino people, like the Rent Control Act of 2009, amendments to the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 which expands the legal services to those in distress, and such other laws.
No one can claim that Bayan Muna have misused their pork barrel because the fact is, they barely get their share of the pork barrel. And if they would have infrastructure projects they are obviously of use to the community, like bridges where it is needed and multipurpose centers for communities requiring them.
Tapat at mahusay na serbisyo (Genuine and quality service)
This can be seen in the assets and liabilities of the three Representatives of Bayan Muna. In fact, Teddy Casiño is the second poorest Congressman with a net worth of P118 thousand (as of May 2009), while Satur Ocampo ranks fourth with a net worth of P895 thousand (as of May 2009). These amounts are dwarfed by the net worth of the richest Congressman at P1.05 billion, Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Villar.
This shows that they are not serving their own asses in Congress. Rather they are burning their asses to ensure that the common Filipino people have genuine representation in Congress. Aside from that they don’t hesitate to take their battles to the streets, a practice of which they are used to, starting their career in politics as street parliamentarians.
They march with the people, they eat with the people, they work for the people.
May paninindigan (Principled)
Despite criticisms of having been bought by Villar for allowing its top nominee to run as Senator under the Nacionalista Party slate, it can’t be denied that Ocampo and the rest of Bayan Muna representatives are steadfast in their principle of putting the interest of the people, their constituents, above their own.
They are true to their pledge of Serve the People. For this, we can say that their principles are NOT bought by Villar, rather, they have forged an alliance that will ensure that they be given a fair playing field in a game that is as dirty as a pigs den.
Ocampo could not play dirty, that he has proven time and again. But he can take advantage of the help being offered to him. I am sure that the deal does not include Ocampo sacrificing his principles for an endorsement. It just means being adopted in exchange for the PR that such a partnership could produce in favor of Villar, and maybe for Ocampo as well.
Their principle remains steadfast. And the bottomline is, its people first. That’s what Bayan Muna is all about. And perhaps, that is the reason why they will remain number one. Four elections and counting.
[First published on author's weblog.]