Makabayan bets slams village execs for ‘blocking’ campaign trail

MANILA, Philippines — A road checkpoint set up by village officials attempted to prevent the Makabayan senatorial candidates from campaigning in Oriental Mindoro town during the Day of Valor on Wednesday, according to the coalition.

Makabayan president and senatorial candidate Liza Maza along with fellow bets Ronnel Arambulo, Mimi Doring, Amirah Lidasan, at Rep. France Castro as well as Gabriela Women’s Party 5th Nominee Mariam Villanueva and Kabataan Partylist 3rd Nominee John Peter Garcia led their campaign at Barangay Tagumpay in Pola town.

One of the personnel allegedly set up a fake checkpoint against them.

One of the personnel told the candidates that visitors intending to conduct an interview are not allowed to enter their villages, according to an ordinance, according to a video posted by Makabayan on Facebook.

READ: Makabayan urges Comelec to act on black propaganda vs bloc

“We are campaigning. The blocking and prohibiting Makabayan from entering communities is against the Comelec fair campaigning guidelines,” Maza said in a statement.

Maza noted that the barangay captain, mayor, or anyone else “has no right to prohibit campaigning especially in remote and hard-to-reach communities.”

She said that there needs to be an investigation as to who is behind this arbitrary rule.

“No form of harassment or pressure can stop Makabayan from standing up and supporting the courageous farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous Mangyan people in Oriental Mindoro in the face of militarization and plunder,” Maza said.