Large number of candidates in 2016 elections, sign of absurd government

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The recorded number of people who filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) is only a sign of dissatisfaction and absurdity of the Philippine government, and not a clear sign of democracy.

The urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damaging Mahihirap (KADAMAY) said that many ordinary people filed their candidacy because they are already fed up with the Aquino administration.

KADAMAY president Gloria Arellano said in a report by Mayen Jaymalin of Philippine Star, due to Aquino’s administration’s weakness, lack of credibility, and many mistakes they commited, urged a large number of people to run in the polls for presidential bid.

Gloria added that Aquino’s inability to fulfill his promise of “daang matuwid” encouraged people to enter politics. Reports of killings and harassment of urban poor leaders in past five years.

A total of 130 candidates filed COCs for president, 19 for vice president, and 172 for senators. A bulk of those are ordinary people or unknown candidates.

Among of those who filed their COCs are former military officials including Former Philippine National Police – Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas who decided to run the senatorial bid because Aquino’s administration failed to give justice to the 44 PNP-SAF cops who died during the encounter with Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January.

KADAMAY said that they will continue to expose the irregularities under Aquino’s administration and will work to put the people involved in the encounter behind the bars.