Bikol Sectoral Leaders Sign Counter-Petition vs Ako Bicol

Legazpi City (23 June) -- Sectoral leaders from all over Bikol gathered yesterday to sign the "Pahayag ng Pagkakaisa"  against Ako Bicol. It is a counter petition against the petition supposedly submitted by some Bikolano lawmakers and governors to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to proclaim Ako Bicol.

According to Fred Mansos, chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Albay (BAYAN-Albay), "this is our way of proving that many and in fact majority of Bikolanos were fooled by Ako Bicol by saying that it will represent our interests but in fact is only looking out to expand the business and political interest of the Co and Arroyo families."

Mansos added that they are going to gather as many signatures as possible not only in Bikol but in the whole country and publicly expose how the Cos cornered more than P6.9 billion worth of contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and used it to fund the campaign of the fake party list group.

"Essentially they used taxpayers' money to become richer and to bankroll their campaign," Mansos pointed out.

As for her part, Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol said, "we will be filing this counter petition next week and we hope that the COMELEC will decide on the case based on its merits and not be swayed by the pressure being exerted by politicians and Ako Bicol."

"We are also urging the politicians who are being used by Ako Bicol to immediately withdraw their signatures," ended Lopez.