‘Resistance Coalition’ senatorial roster could include Sereno, Isidro
SIX SENATORIAL candidates will run in the 2019 mid-term elections under the “Resistance Coalition,” possibly including the ousted Supreme Court chief justice, Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno. In a statement Monday, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, president of the opposition Liberal Party, released the roster with five names: Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino, former Quezon representative Lorenzo R. Tañada, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) Chairman Jose Manuel I. Diokno, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary C. Alejano, and former Akbayan Party-list rep. Ibarra Gutierrez III. On Ms. Sereno’s possible inclusion in the line-up, Mr. Pangilinan said, “We have to have strong women in our ticket.” Another possible candidate, according to Mr. Pangilinan, is Maria Margarita Amada “Agot” F. Isidro, an entertainer and one of the most vocal public personalities against the present administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. — Gillian M. Cortez
DepEd launches annual back-to-school program as teachers’ group sets up monitoring network
THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DedEd) convened yesterday the inter-agency group that will oversee the annual back-to-school program known as Balik Eskwela, which will officially start on May 28. Multi-sectoral groups, including government agencies and the private sector, traditionally participate in the Balik Eskwela wherein public schools are cleaned and refurbished before the new school year starts in June. “This is not only the undertaking of the Department but also the undertaking of all Filipinos who take interest in education,” DepEd Secretary Leonor M. Briones said yesterday.
MONITORING
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also launched yesterday the Bantay Balik Eskwela, intended to monitor the “real situation” of the country’s public educational system. The group has set up hotlines (0929-720-8193; 0956-067-8193) to receive reports on what it called the same and old problems in the sector such as lack of and substandard classrooms and other facilities. The teachers’ group also reiterated its call for higher salary, improved government subsidy, and the hiring of education support personnel.
PHL gov’t assures Joma’s safety if he returns home for peace talks
THE GOVERNMENT has again reassured Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison, who has been living in exile in The Netherlands, that steps will be taken to ensure his safety if he returns home for the renewed peace talks. “The President has said he will take steps to ensure that he (Mr. Sison) can come back to the country. He will guarantee his safety, he will probably even absorb the cost for Joma Sison to come home and participate in the peace talks,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. told reporters in a Palace briefing on Monday, May 21. The CPP is classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and a warrant could be issued for Mr. Sison’s arrest during his transit to the Philippines. In a recent television interview in The Netherlands, Mr. Sison said that he is ready to come home once he sees that there is “substantial progress” in the peace process between the CPP and the Philippine government. — Arjay L. Balinbin
