At the same time, KATRIBU named partylist groups said to be fielded for or in behalf of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies.

If KATRIBU wins, anyone of its five nominees would be the first from their tribes to become a Member of Congress:

1. Beverly Longid, who is of Bontok-Kankanaey ancestry and a noted human rights lawyer in the Cordilleras
2. Genasque Enriquez, a Manobo farmer, single-motor driver and community development worker from Surigao del Sur
3. Nelson Mallari, an Aeta community organizer and an indigenous rights and environmental activist from Pampanga.
4. Kerlan Fanagel, a B’laan from Sarangani Province
5. Virgelio Aniceto, an Ibaloi from Benguet

KATRIBU said that no one among its nominees is connected or related to the Arroyo administration.

At the same time, KATRIBU assailed “fakes” and “administration-backed” partylist organizations allowed by the COMELEC to join the May polls.

They are:

• Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak Maharlika (ADAM) partylist headed by Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan
• Agapay Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance (A-IPRA) headed by Eugenio Insigne, a commissioner for the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 1, and former chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), an agency under the Office of the President
• Partido ng Katutubong Pilipino, headed by Jannette Serrano-Reisland, also a commissioner for Region XII and former chairperson of the NCIP
• Abante Tribung Makabansa (ATM) which was said to be publicly endorsed by Jesus Dureza, President Arroyo’s adviser on Mindanao and chair of the newly-created Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

President Arroyo appointed Insigne and Serrano-Reisland to their posts in the NCIP.

KATRIBU said that ATM was “formed by the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development (MIPCPD), whose council of advisers reportedly include Dureza, Energy Sec. Angelo, Reyes and Army Col. Allen Capuyan.”

KATRIBU adds that Capuyan, a former head of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ special operations group, figured in the controversial ‘Hello Garci’ wiretapping operations.

The entry of partylist groups of President Arroyo’s supporters, including her son Mikey, has been condemned as a bastardization of the partylist system which the Constitution provided as a mechanism to provide representation in Congress to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

During the launch, the watchdog group will report on the Comelec’s field tests of the PCOS machines and the recent mock polls, rate the Comelec’s preparedness for the e-voting, and bare a plan of action for the next few months leading to May 10, 2010.

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, activist priest Fr. Joe Dizon, Grace Poe-Llamanzares and director Bibeth Orteza signed the invitation to the Kontra Daya launch.

Kontra Daya 2010 is a network of church leaders, members of the academe, professionals, IT experts, activists, youth and other concerned citizens to address concerns on the automated election system, political repression, use by the incumbents of government resources, and various maneuvers of the Arroyo administration to stay in power.

For decades, we’ve been lauded as “Bagong Bayani” as a recognition by the same government who has caused our mass exodus into foreign lands.

Let’s breathe the title of modern day heroes and accept its appended challenges and responsibilities. Despite our distance and diversity, we take pride in being a part of the Filipino abroad’s global recognition as shapers of the world.

Now, the time has come to unleash the heroes within us as the majestic sun rises in the East and its rays of hope shines upon our nation this coming May 2010 election.

This is a call for our collective voice in the 2010 election.  We encourage all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to actively participate and be part of our country’s historic electoral process.

For several years, we’ve made our presence felt in building our nation. In every single dollar remittance that is being delivered in our family’s doorsteps, we OFWs have helped in sustaining the Philippines’ economic growth.

Our experiences in and out the country have led us to become seasoned professionals who are now politically mature to discern what’s best for our home country. Now is the moment to make a difference. We are part of the 12 million Filipinos dispersed across the world and we can definitely make a difference.

We will solidify our stand to choose the right leaders for our country. We will influence our family and loved ones back home, the recipient of our hardships and struggles abroad, to act too. We will guide them in making their choices this coming May 2010 because we believe that their actions will not only shape our country’s future but the future of the generations to come.

Our nation has suffered from the action (and inaction) of irresponsible and corrupt government officials but we must remain steadfast in our hope and desire of having a better country. Our nation is already battered and divided.  This coming election, its fate resides in US.

If there is a time to live as modern day heroes, to make a difference as global Filipinos, to embark on something worth doing, IT IS NOW!

Let us empower ourselves as OFWs. With one voice and one heart, let’s vote and get counted! Only  responsible voters can bring responsible leaders in office on May 2010. Let the new leaders of our land rise from the votes of OFWs.