NPA: Abra pols to pay ‘campaign fees’

BANGUED, Abra — So, you want to run for a public office in this province?

Aside from the usual expenses that politicians have to shoulder in the coming elections, aspiring public servants here will have to pay a so-called "permit-to-campaign (PTC) fee" to the New People’s Army (NPA) in exchange for a chance to solicit votes inside rebel-controlled areas.

Diego Wadagan, spokesman of the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command, said they will impose the fee in areas where "Red political power has been established."

Wadagan added that apart from the new toll, revolutionary laws will "apply on the conduct of campaign."

How can political aspirants avail themselves of the permit?

In an exclusive interview, Martin Montana, spokesman of the NPA’s Chadli Molintas Command, said an emissary will be sent to a politician to ask him if he wishes to have a permit.

If he wants a sortie in rebel-held areas, the NPA’s Regional Operational Command will issue him a PTC card, which, Montana said, will be color-coded.

Known die-hard counter-revolutionary candidates, however, will not be allowed to campaign in NPA territories and thus, will not be charged with the permit-to-campaign fee.

"Progressive" politicians, on the other hand, will not be levied but will be asked instead for donations and other support for the NPA.

Montana revealed that in the 2001 national elections, they charged congressional candidates P150,000 to P200,000; gubernatorial bets, P150,000; mayoral aspirants, P50,000; and those eyeing the vice mayor seat, P25,000.