Congratulations Senator Koko Pimentel
This is Akbayan press statement as they congratulate Sen. Koko Pimentel
Akbayan Party congratulates newly-proclaimed Senator Koko Pimentel. We believe that the public, particularly the people of Mindanao have gained another champion in the Senate of the Philippines. We hope Senator Pimentel will use his office to be of utmost service to the people starting with finding closure to the allegations of election cheating, of which he was a victim.
We believe Pimentel’s long fight to right a wrong should not end in a mere confirmation of his electoral victory. Rather, it should serve as a catalyst, the spark to expedite the investigation and just conclusion of this issue. We stress that those responsible for the series of election cheatings must have their day in court.
With the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s decision that Sen. Pimentel indeed won, it is evident that the will of the people had been negated by keen election operators working for certain political patrons. However, those who cheated are still free together with their political bosses, and every day they remain free they only guarantee that this kind of cheating will happen again.
We believe urgent measures must be undertaken to immediately ensure that those who have had a hand in the election cheating in both the 2004 and 2007 elections must be made to pay for their crimes. The truth in its entirety must be unearthed to finally rectify a wrong. Even if it means sullying “saintly reputations”, acquired by those who benefitted from cheating, yet, are free of blame because they shrewdly decided to jump ship in a “graceful manner” when they felt it was already sinking.
The 2007 elections must be the last of its kind. We hope Sen. Pimentel will help the people make this a reality.
Image via Inquirer.net
About The Author
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado is a Content Strategist with over 16 years experience in blogging, content management, citizen advocacy and media literacy and over 26 years in web development. Otherwise known as @MomBlogger on social media, she believes in making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. She is a co-founder and a member of the editorial board of Blog Watch . She is a resource speaker on media literacy, social media , blogging, digital citizenship, good governance, transparency, parenting, women’s rights and wellness, and cyber safety. Her personal blogs such as aboutmyrecovery.com (parenting) , pinoyfoodblog.com (recipes), techiegadgets.com (gadgets) and benguetarabica.coffee keep her busy outside of Blog Watch. Disclosure: I am an advocate. I am NOT neutral. I will NOT give social media mileage to members of political clans, epal, a previous candidate for the same position and those I believe are a waste of taxpayers' money. I do not support or belong to any political party. I was part of accredited media covering the Office of the Vice President and Leni Robredo as she ran as a presidential aspirant in the 2022 National and local elections. On August 5, 2021, YouTube announced that I was selected as one of 50 Program participants of its Creator Program for Independent Journalists She was a Senior Consultant for ALL media engagements for the PCOO-led Committee on Media Affairs & Strategic Communications (CMASC) under the ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Council from January 4 -July 5, 2017. Having been an ASEAN advocate since 2011, she has written extensively about the benefits of the ASEAN community and as a region of opportunities on Blog Watch and aboutmyrecovery.com. Organization affiliation includes Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation Updated June 6, 2022