By the time this letter is published, the nation should have a complete list of the political wannabes who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2013 elections. Among them, of course, will be candidates from the legal fronts of leftist organizations, like Rep. Teddy Casiño who has filed his COC for senator.
We Filipinos have nothing against candidates allied with the Left, but leftist candidates must formulate political platforms that should benefit not only their constituents but also the whole country. They should also push for lasting reforms, not just radical reforms which could be misinterpreted as a mere strategy for advancing the communist ideology or struggle.
All the candidates should always remind themselves that public office is a public trust and that their victory is the mandate of the people. All candidates must tread the path of “tuwid na daan” many times over.
Moreover, leftist candidates who will win and those leftists already holding government positions, whether elective or appointive, should help prevent the CPP-NPA’s crimes against humanity.
Casiño should denounce the terroristic acts of the New People’s Army, like the grenade-throwing incident in Davao City, before he starts campaigning for his election to the Senate.—VINA S. FAJARDO, vinafajardo961@yahoo.com.ph