SANLAKAS

EC 608: Laying the shields from impending defeat - SANLAKAS PARTY-LIST

2007-04-29T21:01:00.000-07:00

Obviously in an attempt to secure her
control over institutions of power,
Arroyo recently signed Executive Order
(EO) 608 to amplify her earlier gag
order – the Memorandum Circular 108.
The said EO establishes a national
security clearance system for
government personnel with access to
sensitive documents, apparently to
deny her critics any inside
information which may prove damaging
to her regime.
Indeed, this only shows how insecure
Arroyo is with her government. Arroyo
knew that the elections are tipped
towards her opponents’ favor. With her
popularity rating still at -4%
according to the latest SWS survey,
she knew that her association alone
would spell doom to any candidate
vying for a Senate seat this
elections. She can thus imagine
another hostile Senate after this
election prying open her closet and
exposing her secret malevolent, anti-
democratic designs to the public.
This and other Arroyo’s recent
policies seem to form a seamless
strategy – a controlled issuance of
gag orders intending to stifle the
public’s ability to investigate her
and her government. It can be
remembered that Malacañang issued last
year EO 464 which effectively barred
ranking government officials from
appearing in congressional
investigations unless authorized by
the President. The said EO was later
declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court.
The refusal of Malacañang to let
itself be subjected to legislative
investigation is not just a mere
display of dominance nor a mere effort
to deny the public any knowledge of
its corrupt acts. It is also a strong
message that from now on it will do
things in covert and outside the
scrutiny of the public. The silence of
Malacañang should thus been taken as a
manifestation of more frightening
things to come.
Laying the shields for an expected
Senate defeat, however, doesn’t
preclude pro-Arroyo forces from
manipulating this election again
towards her advantage. We all know
that this election would be marred by
another round of unscrupulous
cheating – particularly caused by
systemic attempts to bastardize this
democratic practice. ###

SANLAKAS supports LADLAD's Remoto

2007-04-24T02:41:00.000-07:00

Party-list group backs gay candidate for Congress
By Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
Last updated 08:50pm (Mla time) 04/22/2007
MANILA, Phiilppines--A gay rights advocate seeking a seat in the next Congress has found an ally in a militant party-list group that is also running in the May elections.
On Sunday, Sanlakas offered its political machinery to help ensure the victory of Ateneo professor Danton Remoto, who is running for Congress in the third district of Quezon City.
“We are supporting Danton’s run for a House seat because we believe he represents a unique brand of politics that is open, honest and transparent,” said Wilson Fortaleza, Sanlakas national president.
“Things will be interesting once he gets elected because, for one thing, he represents none of the trappings of a traditional politician like guns, goons and gold.”
Despite his relative prominence in the literary and academic worlds, Remoto is an underdog in the political arena. He is a political neophyte running against the more experienced Matias Defensor, father of administration Team Unity senatorial candidate Michael Defensor.
Fortaleza acknowledged the disparity, which was why Sanlakas decided to help Remoto.
Remoto was twice prevented by the Commission on Elections from running in the May polls.
He lost his bid via the party-list route after the Comelec refused to accredit his group, Ang Ladlad. Next, he tried to run for senator but the poll body declared him a nuisance candidate.
Fortaleza said the Comelec decision on Ang Ladlad “reeks of homophobia and bad faith cloaked in legalese.”
He described Remoto’s candidacy as a “great leap forward for progressive politics.”
“If he wins, he would be the first openly gay legislator in the House of Representatives,” Fortaleza said. “His campaign is also a test of the political maturity of Filipino voters who are so used to choosing between the lesser of two trapos (traditional politicians).”

Sanlakas, Aksa party-lists face off at Comelec - Inquirer

2007-04-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 09:53pm (Mla time) 03/29/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- A left-leaning party-list group found itself face-to-face with another group that has been accused of being an administration “front” at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.

Members of Sanlakas and the Aksyong Sambayanan (Aksa) gathered in front of the Comelec standing side-by-side.

Aksa is one of 11 party-list groups accused by Akbayan Representative Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales of being “fronts” of the administration. It is linked to the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas headed by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales.

At a rally staged by Sanlakas, one of its nominees, lawyer JV Bautista, accused Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and Malacañang of allowing “fake” party-list groups to run for the House of Representatives.

He also slammed the election body for allowing Aksa and retired major general Jovito Palparan Jr. to enter politics.

Addressing the hundreds of Aksa members nearby, Bautista said: “Why don't you join us? We are not your enemies. We only hate your leaders.”

Probe not enough, heads must roll at Comelec – Sanlakas Partylist (April 14, 2007)

2007-04-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

When the partylist system was introduced in the 1998 elections, Sanlakas and Akbayan were the very first Partylists who won and acted as fiscalizers of a House of Congress packed with trapos, landlords and millionaires. Sanlakas, along with Akbayan, were the only solons brave enough to expose the 'Payola scam' in which a hefty sum was distributed by the office of the House speaker in exchange for the passage of the Omnibus Power Bill.

It was then Sanlakas congressman, Renato Magtubo (now with Partido ng Manggagawa) who said in a now-famous privilege speech at the plenary that the House of Congress is a 'corral ng baboy (pigsty). The act incurred the ire of a conservative and subservient House and cost him his share of much-needed projects. For the majority of marginalized sectors from the workers, farmers, fisherfolk and the like, this is how a partylist should stand on burning issues.

Malacanang sees a dual-bladed threat when it comes to the partylist system because partylist congressmen, especially the ones coming from the progressive blocs, are dynamic, uncompromising and untainted by traditional politics. They are the ones you can never bribe into submission.

Furthermore, they are the ones who will most likely vote for an impeachment complaint which the president does not want to happen when the next session starts; it is the administration that stands to gain the most in a partylist victory for its fronts and a defeat of progressive partylist groups that's why it is moving heaven and earth to pack the PL system with its lackeys. Malacanang has turned the partylist system into a system of convenience.

The machinations of the OEA, in connivance with the Comelec, comes as no surprise for the poll body has, time and again, acted as a 'hocus pocus' agency of manipulators, operators and shady characters the likes of which has bred a Virgilio Garcillano. Public trust in the Comelec is so low that anything that happens there, including the burning of its building, arouses suspicion.

Even without Garcillano, the Comelec is viewed as a cheating machine and regardless of the outcome, the coming 2007 elections will not resolve the doubts of a skeptical public. As the cynics say, there will only be two kinds of politicians after the elections: the winners and the cheated.

We join the call for a probe so the people may know who's who behind these syndicates who have transformed the partylist system into a thriving 'buy and sell' venture. But a probe is not enough. Heads must roll in the Comelec and it should start with Comelec commissioner Benjamin Abalos.###

Disqualification sought for 41 Partylists

2007-04-07T22:32:00.000-07:00

While the partylist system is intended to include marginzalized sectors in policy-making and legislation, the entry of "fake" party-list groups in the upcoming midterm elections hampers if not impedes the democratization of Congress or bringing Congress closer to the grassroots through the direct participation of the marginalized sectors in govrenance. It follows therefore that the nominees of party-list organizations must represent a marginalized sector.

The 41 party list groups whose nominees are being asked to be disqualified are:

Biyaheng, Pinoy; Aksyon Sambayanan (AKSA); Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM); Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE), The True Marcos Loyalist
Inc.; Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala (KAKUSA); Barangay Association for
National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT);Alay sa Bayan ng Malayang Propesyonal
and Repormang Kalakal; Babae Para sa Kaunlaran (Babae Ka); Abante Ilonggo; Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines Inc.;Bago National Cultural Society of the Philippines; Angat Antas Kabuhayan Pilipino Movement; Ahon Pinoy; Arts
Business and Science Professional; Ang Galing Pinoy; Abgbiag Timpuyog Ilocano
Inc.; Asosasyon ng Maliliit na Negosyanteng Gumaganap Inc.; Sulong Barangay Movement; Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA); Aangat Tayo; Association of
Administrators, Professionals and Seniors; Kasosyo Producer-Consumer
Exchange; Kasangga sa Kaunlaran Inc.;United Movement Against Drugs; Parents
Enabling Parents (PEP); Akbay Pinoy OFW-National Inc.; Alliance of People's
Organizations; Alliance of Neo-Conservatives; Angat AtingKabuhayan; 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK); Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamamayan Inc. (AGHAM);Alliance for Barangay Concerns; Hanay ng Aping Pinoy; Biyayang Bukid; Bagong Alyansang Tagapagtaguyod ng Adhikaing
Sambayanan (BATAS); Ang Laban ng Indihinong Filipino (ALIF); Alagad; Bigkis Pinoy Movement; Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD);and Abay-Parak.

Reference:
GMANews.TV

It's the military that should get out of urban poor communities - SANLAKAS Partylist (March 28, 2007)

2007-04-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane's call for activists in urban poor communities to get out if they do not want the military there smacks of machismo and can only come from someone with a fascist mindset which is typical of his police character. By Ebdane's pronouncements, his tendency to shoot from the hip is funny only because he succeeded in shooting himself in the foot instead. The Defense Secretary's statements are wrong on all levels because of one simple truth: the military doesnt deserve to be there.

It's the military that should get out of urban communities in the first place. the residents of urban poor communities did not demand their presence. Their presence in the communities is plain militarization with the main objective of neutralizing the advance of militant partylist groups. The AFP said as much when it said that the role of the troops is to monitor any citizens or legal organizations perceived to be critical of the administration.

The right thing to do would be to pull out the military than to dislocate the everyday life of people in the urban communities. Especially during elections, the proper place of the military is in the barracks, not in peaceful communities.

The AFP can never win the hearts and minds of the people that's why it resorts to intimidation in urban poor communities. The images of military troops carrying long firearms or concealed weapons and asking for the location of houses of urban poor organizers with the intent of harassing and intimidating them can hardly be called community service.

So much for winning the hearts and minds of the people. The military is there and for one reason only and that is to intimidate the people into submission## #

We Shall Overcome

2007-03-30T05:02:00.000-07:00

Over the horizon the red banner greets my beating heart. I embrace the kinship fostered in this parliament outside parliament.

As I make home of the wet and cold pavement, I dismantle the overarching castles and structures of the powers that be. where in these high places the ephemeral defines the essence of existence, here I am in my humble bivouac speaking the language of the destitute humanity.

And as the lively uproar swarmed the place and the marching beat made zealots out of the meek, the silenced and the oppressed, a gathering storm reveals in the offing. the castles and structures entrenched on sands shall come caving in and forever washed away.

The high walls that now divide shall come crumbling with the mighty force of paper planes. dudurugin ang pader ng eroplanong papel. And the towering and domineering shall kneel before the altar of the triumphant flag bearers only to be helped on their feet. for those who have been oppressed have seen the light of hell to impose the gloom of heaven on their oppressors. it would not make them any different if with the demise of the Establishment, they seek to erect a new one from its ashes.

I hear joyous revelry. The thunderous cries of exoneration. The contradictions have finally delivered us before the gates of a promising dawn. This shall go on. This ecstatic fever shan't be vanquished. The past has taught us the gems of conscious counter-action. To pursue ascent, never to recede - never to leave once more the struggle unto the tarred hands of the narcissistic hedonists, whose whims no one can slake.

"We shall overcome!" the negro cried and they have reached the pedestal of equality. Now, i declare the same.

We shall overcome! to breach not only the poverty in capitalist abundance but to make pedestal over this bivouac i call home.

aaron pedrosa
sanlakas youth
tuloy ang laban!
padayon!

Sanlakas: Hunger not the only thing that drives Filipinos but real hunger for social change

2007-03-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

“It is not only hunger that drives many Filipinos. The majority of Filipinos are also hungry for change!”

This was the statement of the militant partylist group, Sanlakas, in a mobilization rally dubbed ‘Martsa ng Gutom na Pilipino, Martsa ng Gutom sa Pagbabago’ held today in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to coincide with the filing of candidacy of its nominees, the last day of filing of candidacies in the 2007 elections.

In a show of force at Liwasang Bonifacio before marching to the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Sanlakas asserted that millions of ordinary Filipinos are affected daily by economic poverty and along with the worsening political repression of people’s organizations under the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo administration.

Among the sectors who took part in the protest rally were workers from the militant labor center, Bulkuran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), urban poor from the Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML), peasants from Bulacan under the Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA) and youth groups, Piglas Kabataan, Sanlakas Youth and Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Kampi).

Hunger due to lack of representation

According to human rights lawyer, post FQS student leader and first nominee, Atty Jose Virgilio ‘JV’ Bautista, the lack of a voice and strong representation in the halls of Congress are one of the many major reasons the majority of Filipinos have little or no trust in the government.

The former solon added that the small window of opportunity accorded to marginalized groups through the partylist system when it was first introduced in 1998 is slowly being ‘congested’ is because of sinister plans by Malacanang, with the connivance of the Comelec, to once again marginalize and repress the legitimate partylist groups, even threatening the very existence of partylist organizations through the use of political persecution.

Faced with bleak prospects, Bautista called for the defense of legitimate partylist groups and marginalized sectors of the people against the continuing attacks of Malacanang.

Bautista also stressed that “the majority of poor Filipinos still see the Macapagal-Arroyo administration as illegitimate and will never believe in government so long as they do not represent the aspirations of the ordinary people.”

Wrong prescriptions

Also, according to Sanlakas national president, Wilson Fortaleza, the root problems currently being experienced by a majority of Filipinos are caused by anti poor and anti people policies such as unbridled liberalization, deregulation and privatization and chronic corruption in government.

Reacting to a survey by the SWS that says 3.4 million Filipino families have experienced great hunger and misery in the past 3 months, Fortaleza said “the figure is small and only the tip of the iceberg” that cannot simply be applied with band aid solutions such as ‘feeding programs’.

“There are many more hungry Filipinos but the surveys’ figures are only a small part of the millions of others who are hungry, uneducated and denied basic services.” Said Fortaleza .

In fact, continued Fortaleza , the number of poor people has not gone down even though the government lowered the bar of the poverty threshold in the country pegged at P40.73 everyday. In a study by the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), the poverty threshold amounted to no more than P9 pesos which goes to food, P27 to utilities and the remaining P13 goes to other basic necessities such as health, food, education, transportation and housing.

“It’s not because the people are lazy but because of loss of opportunities in life which is the root cause of chronic poverty. Of course, a large part of the sense of helplessness is because of an uncaring government and its anti people, anti poor policies” explained Fortaleza .

According to the nominees, the ultimate solution to poverty is a change in government policies and that will pave the way for the following:

The lowering of prices of basic commodities especially food by enhancing the agriculture and overall regulation of the market

Greater access for the poor by providing public services and lowering of costs in utilities

Equal share of progress and natural resources of the country by enforcing social justice programs

Enhancement of pro Filipino economics

A change in debt policies of the government and debt cancellation and priority for government funds

The end to corruption

Since 1998 when the partylist system was introduced, Sanlakas was one of the very first partylists who won in the 1998 elections and one of the partylists who exposed the ‘payola scam’. The group won again in 2001 but last 2004, there were suspicions that Malacanang blocked the proclamation of Sanlakas in spite of a ruling by the second division of the Comelec to proclaim the partylist group after the Comelec en banc ruled in favor of its petition in the correction of votes. At present, the case is still pending in the Supreme Court.

The nominees of Sanlakas for the 2007 elections are Atty JV Bautista, a human rights lawyer and sanlakas incumbent last 2001, Nilda Lagman-Sevilla, former teacher and sister of slain labor leader, Filemon ‘Ka Popoy’ Lagman, Wilson Fortaleza, former student leader and currently national president of Sanlakas, Flora Santos, veteran activist and social worker and Ian Rivera, former engineer and former peasant leader in the Visayas.###

And the list goes on and on: More fake partylists uncovered - SANLAKAS Party-list (March 25, 2007)

2007-03-25T09:06:00.001-07:00

A week after Akbayan divulged a list of dubious government-backed partylists, the militant partylist group, Sanlakas, has uncovered three more partylists that were either masquerading as a marginalized' partylist organization using the partylist system as back door entry, or enjoys cozy ties with Malacanang and politicians identified with the ruling Arroyo regime.

Sanlakas national president and third nominee, Wilson Fortaleza, said "the list of dubious partylists with known links to the ruling administration goes on and on" and will be included in an 'expanded list' next week.

Among the fake partylists uncovered so far are:

Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino or ALIF partylist, headed by Acmad Maruhom Tomawis, Tomawis is known to possess numerous land and business interests in Mindanao, as well as four (4) four wheel drive vehicles including a Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Lexus Land Cruiser valued at 2.6 million and 3.1 million pesos respectively, and eighty (80) units of passenger buses worth 20 million pesos.

"We are stupefied as to how a known businessman in Mindanao with numerous landholdings and possessions fall under the category of a marginalized group. How could the Comelec, in all its wisdom, accredit someone under a system supposedly for the poorest of the poor? We have previously filed a disqualification case against ALIF in the last 2004 election but the Comelec chose to look the other way, while certified marginalized groups this year, like Ang Ladlad, was left out in the cold." Said Fortaleza.

Continued Fortaleza: Worse, Tomawis has more absences than he has attendances in the last congressional session and even employed his son and daughter as chiefs of staff in his office, a truly marginalized group, indeed."

Another partylist is Sulong Barangay Partylist headed by James Marti Lim of Liga ng mga Barangay. Fortaleza said "the law is clear that no known entity of government can be part of the partylist system" and added that "a check with its official website reveals an internet link with official government websites such as the Office of the President, the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) and the DILG."

Former PAGCOR chair, Efraim Genuino's Bigkis Pinoy is also running under the partylist elections of 2007. The group ran and lost in 2004 despite the pleadings of Genuino with disgraced Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, overheard in the Garci Tapes, to help his group win the elections. Genuino has known links with First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, and was a trustee and finance officer of several Arroyo foundations before Pagcor.

Said Fortaleza "There are many more groups that have ties with Malacanang and traditional politicians masquerading as legitimate partylist organizations. The problem is the Comelec has yet to come out with its official list of accredited partylists so we'll pick them off one by one next week in an expanded 'shitlist' once we get the official accreditation copy from the Comelec."

"The partylist system was created to accommodate marginalized groups who have no voice in the hollowed halls of Congress and what the administration wants to do is pack the partylist system with its lackeys to ensure control in the next session. Maliit na nga ang pintuan sa harapan, sa likod naman sila dumadaan. They have no reason to complain of persecution because the kitchen where they pass through is down and dirty too." Concluded Fortaleza.

Sanlakas is planning a massive mobilization on Thursday at the Comelec to coincide with the filing of candidacy by its three nominees, human rights lawyer and former student activist, Atty JV Bautista, human rights leader, Lagman, Nilda Lagman-Sevilla and third nominee, Sanlakas national president, Wilson Fortaleza.###

Esperon and AFP, sowing bloody intrigue between militant partylist groups – SANLAKAS Partylist (March 24, 2007)

2007-03-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

The militant partylist group, Sanlakas, today lambasted AFP chief of staff, Hermogenes Esperon, for claiming in a press conference that the NPA asserts the partylist group together with Partido ng Manggagawa and Akbayan are 'fronts for Malacanang'.

Sanlakas national president, Wilson Fortaleza believes the assertions were "part of psywar manuever tactics of the AFP" and was "meant to sow bloody intrigue between militant partylist groups."

He said "We have to wonder what the basis was for us being branded as 'fronts for Malacanang' when our political line from the very beginning was to oust the fascist cheat Macapagal-Arroyo regime. Such concoctions by the spin masters in the AFP are good for a few belly laughs and makes for amusing gossip."

Sanlakas believes the malicious rumor-mongering are a part of the AFP's continuing attacks against legitimate, militant partylist groups now that all Leftist partylist groups have united in universal condemnation against the detention of Bayan Muna Rep, Satur Ocampo.

Just yesterday morning, officials of Sanlakas paid a visit to Ka Satur at the MPD headquarters in Manila and discussed the forging of a 'broadleft united front' against the Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

"The AFP high command believes an alliance between all Left and anti-Gloria forces can bring all sorts of unforeseen problems and headaches for them that's why they employ a 'divide and conquer strategy' by sowing bloody intrigues between militant partylist groups. There can be no other greater reason than this. Furthermore, a united front of all Left partylist groups is too much for Malacanang, given the massive, mobilizing capabilities of such an outcome, especially in the Visayas and National Capital Region (NCR)." said Fortaleza.

Sanlakas is planning a massive mobilization on Friday at the Comelec to coincide with the filing of candidacy by its three nominees, human rights lawyer and former student activist Atty JV Bautista, human rights leader and older sister of the late Filemon, Ka Popoy, Lagman, Nilda Lagman-Sevilla and third nominee, Sanlakas national president, Wilson Fortaleza.

"The cheap gimmicks of the AFP can never win hearts and minds of the people that's why it resorts to crude attempts to malign and divide our ranks. Our answer to them --nice try." concluded Fortaleza.###

AFP 'Oplan' docu, a sinister plan to destroy militant partylist groups – SANLAKAS Partylist (March 22, 2007)

2007-03-23T21:36:00.000-07:00

The militant partylist group, Sanlakas, slammed the discovery of a confidential Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) document that shows the main rationale of the AFP in poll victory and ultimately the total destruction of leftist partylist groups.

The 51-slide power-point presentation titled, 'CPP-NPA-NDF partylist operations for 2004' is a military strategy to interfere in the partylist campaign as early as 2004 and is reportedly still in use for the 2007 elections as a guide to special military teams in the field.

Sanlakas national president and third nominee, Wilson Fortaleza, said the AFP document "is clear proof that the AFP is waging a military campaign to deny legitimate partylist of victory in the 2007 elections". He added that "the 'oplan' outlined concepts and methods on how to "neutralize" and "destroy" militant party-list groups.

The AFP document aimed to "make it hard for these alleged "CPP fronts" to campaign and win additional seats in Congress.

To achieve these aims, the document pushed "focus denial operations" in 305 cities and towns tagged as CPP-NPA-NDF strongholds, the division of potential votes by promoting AFP-preferred party-list and the actual use of AFP and PNP operations.

Among the listed tasks for local military units are the securing of arrest warrants for "cadres attached to local candidates", tactical operations to prevent local bets and party-lists from campaigning, and the filing of disqualification cases.

The document also aims to promote "allied" party-lists groups such as ABA-AKO, COOP-NATCO, Akapin, Abanse Pinay, Akbayan, TUCP, and "others" to neutralize the alleged CPP fronts.

"The proliferation of Malacanang-backed partylist groups or "satellite parties" now accredited by the Comelec proves consistent with the assailed 2004 'oplan'", Fortaleza continued.

But according to Fortaleza , the attack against militant party-list groups started since 2001 with the killing of Felimon 'Ka Popoy' Lagman because of his groups' consistent anti Gloria stand at the height of Edsa dos. Lagman pioneered the entry of the Left in the party-list system by fielding Sanlakas in the first party-list election in 1998. In 1998, Sanlakas topped in the National Capital Region and was one of the 13 groups that won in the party-list elections. Sanlakas was re-elected in 2001.

Fortaleza pointed out that "Ka Popoy was killed in February 6, 2001 to sabotage the formation of the first ever Filipino worker's party, the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), and to deny votes for Sanlakas Partylist in 2004. This AFP document is but a continuing effort to derail the rise of new, pro-people politics consistent with the character of militant partylist groups today."

"The Macapagal Arroyo regime, having failed to win the war against hunger and poverty, turned the war against those who consistently defended the rights and interests of the marginalized and hungry - the militant partylist groups." Fortaleza conluded.###