KATRIBU tayo?

Even Defense Sec. Norberto Gonzales concedes that Satur Ocampo and Lisa Maza are better senatorial material than many of the candidates running for the Senate and fielded by the traditional political parties.

Satur and Lisa cut their political teeth via the party-list system under the so-called “progressive” parties – Bayan Muna & Gabriela. Among the current crop of senatorial aspirants, Satur and Lisa would indeed be good choices for senator.

Bayan Muna & Gabriela remain strong party-list contenders in the coming polls. But there is a new kid on the block. It is called KATRIBU.

The reason why KATRIBU is worth serious consideration by the people of Baguio and the Cordilleras is because it is headed by a Cordilleran who is also its first nominee for membership in Congress.

KATRIBU head and nominee is Beverly Longid. She is a Baguio educated Sagada native. She has consistently been active and vocal in many public issues in Baguio, the Cordilleras, and other parts of the country where indigenous people’s rights are involved. If KATRIBU should win, we would have a true-blue Cordilleran as party-list Congresswoman. To our knowledge, no Cordilleran has yet been bestowed that honor. In Congress she may even do a better job than Satur and Lisa.

This is an excerpt of Atty. Pablito V. Sanidad's column (Overview) in the Midland Courier published on March 21, 2010. Atty. Sanidad is a well known lawyer and Constitionalist in the Philippines. He is a staunch human rights defender.