MANILA, Philippines — Taking a page from his fellow inmates seeking public office, Navy Lieutenant James Layug has mobilized his political organization to do the campaigning for him as he waits for the resolution of cases against him before a general court-martial and a civilian court.
Detained for his participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Peninsula Manila standoff with other officers, Layug is running for a congressional seat in Taguig’s hotly contested second district, facing two heavyweights enjoying the “equity of the incumbent,” according to Magdalo spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.
“We just want people to hear what he has to say and make known his advocacies. After that, the people can decide,” Tanjusay told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview.
He and Layug’s wife Amy led supporters in marking the official start of their candidate’s congressional bid Sunday morning. They heard Mass at the Ina ng Dukha parish in Western Bicutan before motoring around the city.
Community leaders backing Layug conducted door-to-door campaign in the second district, composed of at least 10 barangays, handling out leaflets containing the profile of the detained Navy officer.
“He really wants to be with us in the campaign. Every time there is an opportunity, he wants to come [to the campaign],” Tanjusay said. “We also filed a standing request before the AFP for a temporary pass.”
He said that as far as he knew, the military has not granted a pass to any of the detained officers running in the May elections. Nevertheless, the Layug camp persistently keeps pushing for the furlough because of the importance of being seen by voters.
“We want him out. It is a huge factor if people see the candidate in the flesh and hear him speak about his vision and platform,” he said.
Also detained for rebellion charges are Brig. Gen Danilo Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin, both seeking Senate seats as candidates of the Liberal and Nacionalista parties respectively.
Layug posted bail for the Peninsula Manila incident before the Makati Regional Trial Court, but the bail bond could not cover his cases before the military court.
He was moved by the military to the AFP Custodial center in Camp Aguinaldo, so he could face the general court-martial for violating the Articles of War.
In the meantime, while Layug remains behind bars, Tanjusay said the campaign has been heavily relying on volunteers “who believe in his advocacy.” Their supporters have been assigned to “strategic” areas where they campaign for their bet using leaflets, audio-visual presentations and word of mouth.
Also, the Layug campaign set up hubs they call community information centers where voters could learn about the background of the detained officer, whom Tanjusay said called a native of Taguig.
“When he was growing up, he saw the city’s plight. From the time he graduated from the PMA (Philippine Military Academy) until today, the condition remains the same,” Tanjusay said.
Among Layug’s rivals in the race to the House of Representatives are three-term Mayor Sigfrido Tinga and recently proclaimed winner of the 2007 congressional race Angelito “Jett” Reyes.
“[Tinga and Reyes] have the equity of the incumbent,” Tanjusay conceded, explaining that both men have laid the groundwork for their respective campaigns. But the Layug camp remains confident about their campaign.
“We want people to lend an ear to James’ advocacy and his vision for Taguig,” he added.
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Sun Star Manila; 28 March 2010
DETAINED Magdalo leader former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade James Layug formally launched his campaign to represents residents of Taguig City’s second district despite being unable to leave his detention cell at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Custodial Center in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Some 500 supporters of Layug belonging to the Magdalo Para Pagbabago Movement and the Kabisig ni Layug kicked off his campaign with a Palm Sunday Mass at the Ina ng Dukha Parish Church at the Tenement area in Western Bicutan.
The mass was immediately followed by a motorcade and a door-to-door campaign with his supporters distributing posters and pamphlet regarding the platforms of the detained rebel officer.
The 39-year-old Layug is one of the detained Magdalo officers allowed by Makati regional trial court (RTC) Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda temporary liberty when he granted their petition for bail but the military authorities refused to release him as he had the coup d’etat case pending before another Makati court for his involvement in the short-lived 2003 Oakwood mutiny.
In a statement read to his supporters, Layug, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1995, said his priorities if he is elected in the May 10 elections is improved healthcare, access to education and a drug-free community to his constituents.
Layug said he has six advocacies that will be the foundation for his programs and policies. These are good governance, people empowerment, peace and order, social equity, justice and environmental protection and management.
He said he would also push for legislation for the establishment of a satellite branch of the Veterans Memorial Hospital to care for military retirees and their dependents in Taguig.
About 50 percent of the population of the city’s second district is made up of military retirees and their dependents.
At the same time, he acknowledged the difficulties of mounting a campaign in detention but added that his relatives, friends and supporters have promised to campaign for him.
He said the Samahang Magdalo alone has about 4,000 members in the city.
He said they would also make use of the Internet and mass media just like the candidacy of his “mistah”, former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV in the 2007 mid-term election.
Despite being in detention and with meager resources, Trilllanes, one of the leaders of the Magdalo group which staged the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege, won a seat in the Senate.
Layug is up against current Mayor Freddie Tinga and Angelito “Jett” Reyes, son for former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes.
Taguig’s second district has 13 barangays including Fort Bonifacio where military personnel and retirees reside.
Aside from Layug, other Magdalo officers are also running for various elective posts in the upcoming election.
Former Marine Captain Gary Alejano is running for mayor of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, former Air Force 1st Lieutenant Francisco Ashley Acedillo for representative of Cebu’s 1st District, Army Captain Dante Langkit for the lone Congressional District of Kalinga, former Army Scout Ranger regiment commander, Brigadier General Danilo Lim and former Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin both for Senator. (AH/Sunnex)
