NP a united political body

by Raul S. Beltran (Journal Online)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/national/3854-np-a-united-political-body.html

DESPITE the clash of opinions among its members who come from diverse backgrounds and different ideologies, the Nacionalista Party remains a united and democratic political organization as the May presidential election approaches, NP standard-bearer Manuel Villar said yesterday.

Villar cited the three senatorial candidates in the NP slate who, he said, are on the opposite side of the political spectrum.

The former Senate president was referring to militant Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, who are running for senator in the NP under the Makabayan Party, and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of ousted President Ferdinand Marcos, who sent Ocampo to military detention during martial law.

The three NP senatorial bets have expressed opposing views on the proposed interment of the older Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which Rep. Marcos expectedly supported.

But Ocampo and Maza, both victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime, are opposed to the plan.

“NP is all about unity and democracy. We voice our opinions and argue about them. But at the end of the day, we agree to disagree and respect each other’s point of view. That is what democracy is all about,” Villar said.

“We are pleased that NP is home to people not only with diverse backgrounds but also with different ideologies. For as long as we share a common vision for the country and share a common platform, then we are OK,” he said.

“In the same way that peace is not merely the absence of war. Unity is not merely the absence of differences. There can be unity in diversity and we have proven that in our party,” Villar said.

Villar made the statements in reaction to the comments made by his political rivals that the opposing views between Ocampo and Maza on one side and Rep. Marcos on the other on the proposed hero’s burial for the late president are dividing the NP.

But the NP presidential bet maintained that the opposing views of the three senatorial bets will not weaken the party