'2013 bets almost the same people, of same lineage'

MANILA, Philippines - Rights group Karapatan expressed dismay over the final lineup of candidates running for public office, especially the senatorial aspirants.

The group said the candidates are “almost the same people, of the same lineage, and from the same brand of politics, who just sat on bills like the indemnification of Marcos’ human-rights victims, anti-enforced disappearance, and the proposal for the protection of human rights defenders.”

“These traditional politicians and so-called newbies, but of the same trapo mold, shamelessly flaunt the ‘alliance for reform’ among the Liberal, Nacionalista parties and UNA (United Nationalist Alliance) coalition. This alliance obviously promotes the culture of impunity in the country,” Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said.

“Those who should be held accountable for their crimes against the people since martial law, those who approved the promotion of the Arroyo military officials with pending human rights cases before the courts, those who refuse to recognize the existence of political prisoners, those who said nothing on the continuing extrajudicial killings; and those who signed the cybercrime law now known as e-martial law, sit side by side with those who supposedly fought martial law, and uphold and protect human rights. How can we curb impunity with this kind of lineup of candidates?” she added.