PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

PTC negotiations in full swing, benefit the people--CPP
January 17, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today said that implementation of the policy requiring candidates to obtain Permit to Campaign certificates (PTCs) before campaigning in its controlled territories is currently in full swing nationwide.

CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal brushed aside Malacanang's statement that the CPP-NPA's requirement for candidates to obtain PTCs is against the law and should be ignored by candidates. He also scoffed at the AFP and PNP's threat to use force to prevent the CPP-NPA from implementing its PTC policy.

Rosal disclosed that candidates and political parties from the national down to the local levels have been holding meetings with revolutionary authorities to explain how their respective programs of government are supposed to be pro-people and how they can help in the CPP-NPA and revolutionary mass organization's own socio-economic welfare programs for the people, as well as to coordinate their campaign activities and meet security requirements.

Rosal said that politicians are specifically asked to support revolutionary mass organizations's programs for the benefit of the people, including various economic, medical, educational, literacy and cultural programs.

Rosal explained that a significant part of proceeds from PTCs are used to fund such programs. "These revolutionary socio-economic programs actually make up for the historical neglect by the government and provide immediate relief to the deprived, impoverished and long-suffering people, especially in the countryside."

"This way, through the PTCs the people are able to get something more substantial out of the reactionary elections than empty promises and insulting bribes of a few pesos. Other than that, the whole thing is only a big circus with politicians for clowns and a great deal of violence," Rosal added.

Rosal also said that politicians campaigning in guerrilla areas are prohibited from bringing along guns and armed goons. "They are asked for assurance that they will not cause trouble in guerrilla areas and that peace will be maintained despite the violent character of reactionary elections."

Rosal said that the people's democratic government exercises free will in promulgating its policies including in regard to PTCs in wide areas under its control and influence, and that government forces are unable to do anything about it.

Rosal also said that most candidates "who know the business of re�l politic" volutarily and intently seek lines of communication with leadership of the CPP-NPA leadership or their representatives.

"Kahit hindi sabihin, ang mga marunong na pulitiko na mismo ang naghahanap at lumalapit dahil alam na alam nila ang patakaran at kung sino ang talagang mapagpasya sa mga sonang gerilya," Rosal added.

"This speaks of the wide sway and recognition of the political authority of people's democratic government", Rosal said. Territories under the strong influence of the revolutionary movement currently cover at least 10 million people.

Rosal explained that in consolidated revolutionary areas, the revolutionary movement wields greater actual authority than the reactionary government while both operate side-by-side in expansion areas.

Meawhile, Rosal rebuked the GRP negotiating panel for stating that the PTC is not helping the peace talks.

"We should get over the socio-economic and political and electoral reforms agenda of the peace talks and look at the resultant changes in favor of the people's welfare and meaningful political resolutions first before talking about the PTC," said Rosal.

"Now that formal peace negotiations are to be resumed shortly, the government panel should refrain from issuing such prejudicial statements that do not help at all create a favorable atmosphere for the talks," Rosal added.

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553



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