I HAD nothing against Sen. Grace Poe as a public servant. I even admired her humility and transparent brand of public service. But that was until recently; I was dismayed when she and her running mate, Chiz Escudero, endorsed Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, the first and only candidate they have announced so far for their 2016 senatorial slate. Everybody knows that Colmenares is an activist and a supporter of the bandit group New People’s Army (NPA).
Did Senator Poe make a background check on Colmenares before adopting him as a senatorial candidate? I’m not sure. Or, is Senator Poe, by endorsing Colmenares, also endorsing the armed struggle of the NPA? By voting for Colmenares, the Filipino people would be giving the NPA bandits something they can use to give their dreadful activities against the civilians and government troops a semblance of legality.
I’m disappointed because I expected more from Senator Poe when it came to choosing the senatorial candidates for their team.
Filipinos should vote wisely, which means not voting for Colmenares and the 12 political coalition parties he is allied with, such as Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Kabataan, Courage, Migrante, ACT-Teachers, Katribu, Akap Bata,Piston, Kalikasan and Aking Bikolnon.
—AMANDA S. CENTILLO, amandacentillo@ yahoo.com.ph