Poe presidential run a welcome development

Grace Poe’s formal announcement of her independent presidential run is a welcome development especially for those who have been neglected and abused in the last five years under the corrupt and inept hacendero administration—and for those longing for change.

She touched on important issues and assailed President Aquino’s “daang matuwid” of pork, commuter woes, selective justice, and growth that excludes the majority.

It is good that she articulated a platform which focuses on the need for “true reforms” that will benefit the nation especially the poor and vulnerable.

We take note of her promise to “hold the corrupt accountable” be they “friend or foe.”

We take note of her statement focusing on heeding farmers’ “longing for land to till.” We hope this means pursuing development in the rural areas through genuine land reform.

We also appreciate her statement pushing for “fair wages and benefits for workers.” We hope that this means a significant wage increase and an end to contractualization.

For the students, we challenge her, more than the promise of scholarships and internships, to stand up against tuition hikes and the commercialization of education.

It is good that she took on human rights and peace; hopefully, this would also mean, among other issues, freeing political prisoners and pursuing a just and lasting peace through peace negotiations.

—VENCER CRISOSTOMO, national chair, Anakbayan