NP PROCLAMATION RALLY:
Villar declares 'revolution' against poverty

The Nacionalista Party (NP) has announced its senatorial bets for the 2010 national elections in a proclamation rally held in Moriones, Tondo--the birthplace of NP standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar, who declared a 'revolution' against poverty and hunger.

In his speech during the proclamation rally, Villar declared a different kind of 'revolution': "I stand here before you to declare a new revolution that will fight against poverty and free our countrymen from dire circumstances in their lives."

Villar also warned the people that not all those who trumpet change would offer real change. He urged people to ask, "What kind of change would they bring? Do they really understand the plight of the poor? Or they are just referring to change in who is in power? Real change is not merely a change in presidency--it is enriching the lives of poor Filipinos."

NP's senatorial slate lists achievers, movers, and shakers in diverse fields of endeavors and interests including: re-electionists Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago as guest candidate, Sens. Pia Cayetano and Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Adel Tamano, Susan "Toots" Ople, Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, and Ramon "Mon-Mon" Mitra.

"We are proud and honored to have these distinguished people on board the Nacionalista Party for the upcoming national elections. Together with Loren, we offer Filipinos our combined strengths, accomplishments as well as efforts to bring solutions to the country's problems and make it progressive anew," said Villar.

NP spokesman Rep. Gilbert Remulla said, "We are leaving two slots in our senatorial slate for the possible entry of adopted candidates Ka Satur Ocampo and Lisa Masa."

Nacionalista's senatorial line-up is a powerhouse cast that emerged from various backgrounds:

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago (guest candidate): A recipient of the Laureate of the Asian Nobel Prize, known as the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, is globally famous for her courageous and brilliant crusade against corruption in the Philippines.

Sen. Pia Cayetano: The youngest woman elected in the history of the Philippine Senate. A lawyer, triathlete and mother of two has been promoting health, environment, youth and women's empowerment to continue the legacy of her father, the late Senator Compañero Rene L. Cayetano.

Sen. Bong Revilla (guest candidate): Holds the distinction as the youngest elected vice governor and governor in the Province of Cavite in 1995 and 1998 respectively; and again as the youngest elected member of the Philippine Senate in 2004.

Col. Ariel Querubin: The most bemedalled officer in the history of the republic gained prominence and after a seven-hour stand-off at Fort Bonifacio during an alleged coup plot against President Arroyo in February 2006.

Rep. Bongbong Marcos: Counts 17 years in public service and has earned a distinguished record of achievement as a political leader and public manager.

Atty. Adel Tamano: Caught the attention of the public as the spokesman of the United Opposition in the 2007 national elections. He is a prominent lawyer and educator (President of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the Association of Local Colleges and Universities).

Susan Ople: The overseas Filipino worker (OFW) advocate is the youngest daughter of the late Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople and a former Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Ramon "Mon-Mon" Mitra: The son of the late Speaker of the House Ramon V. Mitra has an extensive experience in administration and operations management acquired from over 18 years experience in the military, private business and family-owned corporations.

Atty. Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana: The daughter of Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Nene' Pimentel. A lawyer like his father is the president of the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines (ACCAP), the country's leading network of residential care and pre-adoption service providers.

NP's proclamation rally was held at the Macario Sakay Plaza, which was near the house where Villar used to live when his mother was still selling shrimps at nearby Divisoria Market.

On Nov. 30, Villar is set to file his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec. Prior to this, Villar and his family as well as supporters and fellow Nacionalistas including running mate Senator Loren Legarda will hear mass at the Manila Cathedral, to be officiated by Paranaque Bishop Jessie Mercado.