Convenors: Reject politics of division

WINNERS and losers, together with opposition and administration candidates in the May 9 national elections joined hands in heeding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for unity and reconciliation by launching Wednesday the Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Interior and Local Government Secretary-designate Benhur Abalos led local officials and lawmakers from various parts of the country in the launch of the KNP.

Sotto, who ran for vice president in the recently-concluded elections, and Abalos, campaign manager for Marcos, led the 206 national and local political leaders in signing the manifesto for unity.

“This movement acknowledges no political boundaries. Everybody who cares for the welfare of the Filipino people is welcome, especially those who are committed to support President Marcos’s formula of unity in achieving what is best for this country,” said Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, a KNP convenor.

Two provincial chief executives – Governors Dakila Cua of Quirino and Joet Garcia of Bataan – were among those spotted during the event held at EDSA Shangrila Plaza in Mandaluyong City.

Also present were senior and neophyte members of the House of Representatives. Among them were KNP convenors and Reps. Rida Robes (Lone District, San Jose del Monte); Rosanna Ria Vergara (3rd District, Nueva Ecija); Divina Grace Yu (2nd, District, Zamboanga del Sur); Toby Tiangco (Lone District, Navotas City); Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (Lone District, Nueva Vizcaya); Richard Gomez (4th District, Leyte); Johnny Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur); Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental) and Aurelio “Dong”Gonzales (3rd District, Pampanga).

Also joining the movement were mayors and other local officials led by Mayors Benjamin Abalos, Mandaluyong City; Henry Villarica, Meycauayan City; Myca Elizabeth R. Vergara, Cabanatuan City; Sonny Collantes, Tanauan City; Roderick Tiongson, Bulacan; Emi Calixto, Pasay City; and Tyrone Agabas, Tayug City.

In his keynote speech, Abalos lauded the convenors of the new movement for pursuing Marcos’s call for unity and rejection of the “politics of division.”

“We are here to repair a house divided, to make it strong again in the Filipino bayanihan way,” said the Cabinet official, citing the chief executive’s appeal.

“Our coming together is our response to the Presidents clarion call for unity. KNP is immediately formed to formalize that movement to solidify (our) platform for cohesive, inclusive and unified action for national economy and sustainable development,” Abalos stated.

Vergara, a three-term congresswoman, noted that despite the short notice, nearly 200 of the country’s local and national leaders came to personally express their wholehearted support to the president’s call.

“We are here to affirm our unwavering and full support to President Bongbong Marcos – in his call to collectively work for a better Philippines; for all Filipinos regardless of political conviction, religion, motivations and creed,” said Vergara.

Robes said the KNP will work for a government that is “both transformational and transformed.”

“Ito po ay tugon sa panawagan ng pangulo – ang magbuo ng isang kilusan at pagalingin ang malalim na hidwaan ng pagkakawatak-watak, samahan, ugnayan at tagpuan ng lahat ng Pilipinong nagmamahal sa bansa at naghahangad ng tagumpay at pag-unlad ng buhay ng bawat Filipino,” Robes declared.

She said what happened today is only the beginning of a bigger plan to expand the organization; “Today we are 200. Next month, 2,000…and in the days to come 20,000 to 200,000 to 2 million to twenty (million) and beyond. The growth is exponential until we embody our vision of a truly unified nation.”