Filipinos in NYC demand for clean, honest 2022 elections

My erstwhile editor, May Rodriguez, spoke bravely of her frightening experience as victim of sexual assault during the dark years of martial law imposed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. It was only during that online conference on a fickle day in spring that I knew of her scary and humiliating experience in the hands of the military.

May Rodriguez

Donning an absolutely white hair on her head, May still retained her gentleness and composure as she spoke during the three-day forum that critiqued the Imelda Marcos documentary ‘The Kingmaker.’ Back in the day, May had always been that composed even during chaotic deadlines we journalists faced.

She, of course, had been relentless on her campaign against Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who is running for president in the May 9 Philippine elections. Even on a personal level, she said, Bongbong Marcos does not have what it takes to be a leader.  He lived a comfortable life and detached from the real situation of the ordinary people. “He has no empathy for us. He has not even paid his taxes when he was governor of his father’s hometown.”

Marcos is guilty of tax evasion at the time of his incumbency as Ilocos Norte governor. A certified criminal, said former Human Rights Commissioner Etta Rosales, who spoke alongside May, Marcos should have already been disqualified to run for president.

Etta Rosales

Despite the uproar, the Comelec ruled to his favor through a commissioner installed by Pres. Duterte, a Marcos ally. Marcos Jr. runs with the president’s daughter, Sarah Duterte as vice president. The presidential campaign has swept like wildfire in the Philippines and extended overseas as well.

Some 600 participants in the Walk for Democracy Rally in Manhattan

On March 27 this year, New York City saw the biggest congregation of marchers at Bryant Park and on the premises of the Philippine Consulate on 5th Avenue. Dubbed as the Walk for Democracy, some 600 participants demanded for clean and honest Philippine elections. The Kakampinks (they wear pink) endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis Pangilinan for president and vice president in the upcoming elections in May.

Since the campaign season, the Marcos and Robredo camps have been running their respective rallies in key cities in the US.

At Bryant Park, in attendance were Jillian Robredo, daughter of Vice President Robredo, Frankie Pangilinan, daughter of Sen. Pangilinan, singer Rachelle Alejandro, and Nacho Tambunting, actor for off-Broadway’s Felix Starro.

Tess Abutanmo dela Cruz, a nurse and a local leader in the FilAm community, remarked that Robredo must win in the coming elections. “Installing Marcos into power is a shame globally. Why vote for someone who stole billions of money from the Filipino people? We start with good leaders to improve lives.”

Jillian Robredo, youngest daughter Vice President Leni Robredo, addressed the crowd. “I know it’s hard to be far from the Philippines when so much is happening [there]. But I believe in you all who are here today standing up for democracy even if we are far away. We are demonstrating that even though we are 8,000 miles away from the Philippines, we still care about what’s happening back home, in our nation.”

Frankie Pangilinan, daughter of vice-presidential bet and Sen. Pangilinan, also spoke to the crowd, saying, “We are all here because we would like to better the social, economic, and political conditions back in our homeland, the Philippines. In the dark era of disinformation, fake news, and manufactured truths, we would like to call on the Commission on Elections of the Philippines…to have honest, clean, orderly, peaceful, and credible elections that we as a people can trust.”

Philanthropist lawyer and lead campaigner Loida Nicolas Lewis asked the public to intensify campaigning for Robredo-Pangilinan. “Call and tell your folks, no chocolates, no pasalubong unless they vote for Leni and Kiko!” The rallyists laughed and chanted yes!

Loida Nicolas Lewis and Tess dela Cruz outside the Philippine Consulate

Jillian Robredo

Frankie Pangilinan

She warned Filipinos here against voting for Sara Duterte, a much more popular choice than Marcos, in Mindanao. Robredo’s life will be imperiled once you vote for a Duterte, she said, emphasizing on the integrity of Pangilinan as a runningmate.

Prof. Noel Pangilinan, meanwhile, noted the need to ensure a clean and honest election to give hope to the younger generation.

Organizations endorsing the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket here included 1Sambayan USA – Northeast, Filipino Migrants for Leni Kiko, Global Filipinos for Leni, Malaya Movement NJ Chapter, Malaya Movement NY Chapter, Solid Leni Kiko Global, Team Leni Robredo Pinoys NYC, United Filipinos for Leni North America, and Young Global Filipinos for Leni.#   (Photos contributed by Tess Abutanmo dela Cruz; with Press Release from 1Sambayanan)