It's official: Ocampo, Maza now part of NP slate

MANILA, Philippines – The Nacionalista Party (NP) announced the formal entry of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza as the party's guest senatorial candidates for the 2010 national elections.

"Ka Satur and Liza Maza are two known champions in the advancement of the rights of the underprivileged. They have devoted their lives in fighting for the interests of the working class, the peasants, our women, our fisherfolks and the urban poor," NP standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar said in a press conference today at the Quezon City Sports Club.

Villar said he and the two militant legislators share common advocacies in agriculture, rural development, agrarian reform, environment and disaster preparedness, delivery of social services
, human rights justice, good governance and public accountability.

"It is therefore with great honor that I stand side by side with them today, knowing now without a doubt that we have a synergy of ideals and principles," Villar added.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said Maza and Ocampo, who are running under the multi-sectoral coalition Makabayan, have agreed to a mutual adoption and support with Villar and his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda, who was also present during the event.

Casiño, Ocampo’s campaign manager, said the mutual endorsement was historic, as it was the first time militant organizations have endorsed candidates for president and vice-president.

The inclusion of the two completes the NP’s senatorial slate, which includes reelectionist senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as guest candidates, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos, retired Col. Ariel Querubin, Atty. Adel Tamano, Susan Ople, Gwendolyn Pimentel; Mon-Mon Mitra; and former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla.

Maza and Ocampo earlier backed out after the NP's inclusion of Marcos in its senatorial ticket. The party's decision to adopt the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos reportedly did not suit well with the two left-wing congressmen.

Ocampo, then a journalist, was jailed during the martial law under the late dictator's administration.