For May 2007 polls: Angara discloses 3 main platforms of 'Third Force'

Senator Edgardo Angara has revealed that the main platforms for the May 2007 elections of the so-called "Third Force", that he prefers to be referred to as the "Middle Force", have already been polished to focus on countryside development, education reforms and peace and order.

"The main platforms are the top three concerns of the Middle Force. It's nice to hear that we are growing 6.9 percent, but that is in macro level. We need to develop the rural sector and circulate the money in the countryside. We need to push for competitiveness in our education. And we need to make Juan dela Cruz safe in his home and on the streets," Angara said.

Also, Angara said that this can be done by redirecting spending priority through legislation.

He stressed the need for these "solid policies as moving force behind the independent mainstream." And added that the Middle Force lineup will be drafted based on platform rather than personality.

Angara was in Cebu City yesterday as keynote speaker to the national convention of the Philippine National Bank Employees Association.

On the other hand, he also said that as of the moment, no Cebuano candidate yet is in their lineup.

Angara said that the Middle Force already has seven candidates and still has until February 10 to finalize their slate before the last filing of certificates of candidacy for senators on February 12.

He only mentioned Senate President Manny Villar, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo who already expressed interest in the Third Force.

"We want the selection of candidates to be institutional representation. We've got to erase the perception that the selection, on the part of the opposition, is just by whimsical choice," he said.

The Third Force is a core of reelectionists from different political parties that seek to form together a senatorial slate, independent of the administration and the opposition.

With the Third Force, Angara wants a critical collaboration, an interaction he once enforced during the Ramos administration, between the executive and legislative departments to be productive in terms of policy making.

"Once cannot be completely independent of either the administration or the opposition. But one can maintain an arms-length relation in moving the country forward," Angara said.

"We already showed by leadership that we don't have to marry each other; that we can cooperate for the sake of the people and still maintain the integrity of our respective positions," he added. - Gregg M. Rubio