FORMER Gabriela Partylist representative Liza Maza will run as senator under the Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) party in next year’s elections.
In her speech in Quezon City on Thursday, Maza also accused the Caloocan City government of denying her camp’s request for a permit to hold the launch of her candidacy in Caloocan.
“I’m just doing the announcement but they are now preventing me from speaking. They attempted to stop me, even my aim of a democratic discussion with the citizens of Caloocan. They just want to speak out their concerns so that I will carry them on my Senate run,” she said.
FORMER Gabriela Partylist representative Liza Maza. TMT FILE PHOTO
Her supporters claimed that on the eve of the launch, members of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) and the Philippine National Police harassed Caloocan residents to prevent them from attending the launch that was to be held at two venues.
Maza said the incident made her more determined to pursue her candidacy.
“The laws and resolutions that we will propose will be for the masses and not just for a few, because these people who [plan to file cases against me] are for the rich and for foreign interests. That is the reality of our politics,” she said in Filipino.
She said that she decided to run as senator as a “protest” against “rotten and corrupt” politics.
Maza said she will push for a “pro-Filipino” economy that would be controlled by Filipinos and will benefit Filipinos, breaking free from foreign domination that stifles job creation.
“We will push for true agrarian reform, cooperativization and agricultural modernization. This will ensure justified distribution of national wealth and economic gains,” Maza said.
Her candidacy was endorsed by the Gabriela Women’s Party and Migrante International, as well as other groups and individuals, including the mother of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who was sentenced to death in Indonesia for alleged drug trafficking.
“When I heard that Liza Maza will run for the Senate, I suddenly had hope that Mary Jane would go home. We will push you to win, Liza,” Celia Veloso said.
Makabayan co-chairman Neri Colmenares said Maza’s “extensive experience as a legislator and advocate for women’s rights and the marginalized sectors will be invaluable in the Senate.” Other members of the Makabayan bloc who have announced their Senate runs include ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas.
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