1SAMBAYAN–Unity in diversity

Part One

IS there such a thing as political unity? Can persons or groups of various political colors work together and form a rainbow coalition? Will they find the political pot of gold at the end of the rainbow by winning the presidential derby in 2022? Finding the end of the rainbow is a delusion since you cannot even see the colors of the rainbow up close. In the dog-eat-dog world of politics, can competing forces subordinate their individual interests to find a common good or aspiration? Is the term “united opposition” an oxymoron, which only exists in theoretical discussion or hypothetical treatise?

On March 18, 2021, a coalition for national unity called 1SAMBAYAN was formally launched in Makati City. The constituent members of the coalition include members of the Liberal Party, leftist groups like the Makabayan bloc, rightist group, the Magdalo, and other party-list organizations. Individuals who are prominent critics of the current administration were also in attendance. It’s a wide-ranging political spectrum, which stretches from the far left and extends to the far right.  

The convenors include retired SC Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, retired SC Justice and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, former Congressman Neri Colmenares, lawyer Howard Calleja, Partido Manggagawa Chair Renato Magtubo, former Secretary of Education and La Sallian Brother Armin Luistro, and many other retired top government officials and distinguished leaders in the private sector. 

There are many questions raised by political observers. Some of the foremost issues being asked are: Is unity achievable by the opposition in the face of a strong and widely popular leadership of President Duterte? Can disparate groups adhering to different ideological beliefs and political persuasions unite and successfully form an alliance? Can they set aside their differences and form a united front that can give the ruling party a run for their money? Can the liberals and pro-democratic forces bury or resolve their contrarieties with the left and work with the progressives? Can they form a single slate of candidates who can share the same stage, stand on a common platform and face squarely the bets of Duterte? The answers to these critical questions will spell the difference between victory and defeat in the next polls for 1SAMBAYAN. One encouraging development is that the Bayan Party-List has announced that they are willing to work with the group which includes the Magdalo group led by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes who is supported by a large following from the military. Unless they can overcome their differences, a united opposition will remain a pipe dream and they cannot afford it. Another six years of Duterte and his cohorts will blast the opposition, or any semblance of it, to kingdom come. 

1SAMBAYAN is not open to every political opportunist who needs a vehicle to seek the presidency. Justice Carpio spelled it out very clearly: “We are a coalition of democratic forces. We reject those who are identified with authoritarianism. We reject those who are responsible for extrajudicial killings or who abet extra-judicial killings.” Having said that, 1SAMBAYAN has ruled out the possible consideration of popular politicians like Mayor Sara Duterte and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who one way or the other, has supported Duterte’s program of government like the vicious anti-drug war. Likewise, the public should be wary of false prophets whose pretensions may goad the less discerning Filipinos into believing that they will lead them to the promised land. These predators may actually be the same wolves in sheep’s clothing who have no scruples in betraying the people’s trust once they get elected into office. They may carry an opposition banner, mouth fiery anti-Duterte slogans during the campaign, which they will ditch once they occupy the office. 1SAMBAYAN must ensure that every individual or group joining the coalition is a genuine oppositionist who will reform our corrupt system.

Spearheaded by the three most revered former government officials, 1SAMBAYAN should attract more winnable candidates, widely supported and better funded. It can run a more efficient and effective campaign based on a more coherent, popular and relevant platform and program of government. But it should not underestimate the ruling party. Fighting the incumbent is a formidable challenge. Just like in 2019, it can marshall the infinite resources of the government. 1SAMBAYAN trusts that the military will remain neutral and impartial to ensure a clean and fair election. 

Funding the campaign is a major headache in every election. But money chases the most likely winner. With a viable candidate, 1SAMBAYAN can build a war chest. If the opposition can draw a fair amount of support from the business sector, we may see a battle royale coming up in 2022. When asked if the group can raise the hefty amount needed to mount a successful national campaign, Carpio replied that for as long as 1SAMBAYAN supports a single viable candidate, campaign funds would come. In other words, build and they shall come. Build a campaign behind a winnable candidate, build a campaign organization that can face up to what the other party can dish out and offer and build a platform and program of government that will serve and protect the people. It’s a tall order but reclaiming democracy is not a walk in the park.