ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY HOLDS FUNDRAISING DINNER

ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY HOLDS FUND-RAISING DINNER,

LAUNCHES CANDIDATES FOR 2010

The Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP), a national political party accredited by the Comelec, formally launched its candidates for the 2010 elections at a fund-raising dinner held at the Social Hall of the Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Q.C. on 19 August 2009.

Dubbed “Dine for Psalm 20:10”, the sit-down dinner was attended by some 400 AKP supporters to help raise funds for the Party’s national and local candidates. The dinner event featured a significant dish, porridge or “lugaw” that symbolizes the worsening poverty of Filipinos.

“Ang Kapatiran hopes that change will begin over dinner, among families and small groups who are trying to find a way to make their country better,” AKP president Eric Manalang said.

The national candidates, formally introduced during the event, included presidential candidate John Carlos “JC” delos Reyes and senatorial candidates Atty. Adrian “Dado” Sison, Dr. Martin Bautista, Atty. Zosimo Jesus “Jess” Paredes, Atty. Dominador “Jun” Chipeco, Jr., and Aparri Councilor Reginald “Reggie” Tamayo. Two other senatorial candidates, who cannot make it to the event, will be announced in a subsequent forum along with the remaining five others and a vice presidential candidate, the search for which is still on-going and will complete AKP’s 2010 national slate.

As will be recalled, AKP’s search for national candidates went through public nomination followed by a rigorous selection process that required each one’s adherence and commitment to the Party’s principles and platform in whole and panel interview focused on measuring the aspirant’s moral uprightness, courage, competence, leadership, and responsible citizenship and parenthood.

Other candidates for local positions were also introduced, namely, Atty. Leo Ferrer of Quezon City, Conrado Tejada of Ibaan in Batangas, Dr. Luisito Lacatan of Oriental Mindoro, Victor del Rosario of Naval in Biliran, Engr. Dhara Mamacol of Lanao del Norte, and Jose Policarpio Jr. of Zamboanga Sibugay among others.

To bring about needed change in towns and cities, AKP has embarked on its initiative, Project MMX (2010), which is a national search for local candidates from councilors and up aimed at addressing the likewise escalating corruption and unprincipled governance in local government units. At least 200 major cities and municipalities all over the country will have complete AKP slates for the 2010 elections.

As corruption begins with favors owed during election campaigns, AKP will introduce a campaigning system driven by the active support of each candidate’s network of friends and supporters. All AKP candidates must not be saddled with the burden of raising their own candidacy funds in order to make them accountable only to their constituents and not beholden to those with vested interests. This way, money becomes much less of a factor in the candidates' chances of winning.

Party principles and platform with clear and specific policy objectives to which all AKP candidates adhere shall be the main battle cry of the Party as opposed to mere motherhood statements. In this regard, a vigorous and widespread political information campaign will be undertaken to educate voters particularly the poor and young electorate who constitute 46% of voters.

For more information on AKP and its candidates, visit www.angkapatiranparty.org.