Akap Bata party-list submits nominees, keeps distance from Villar

They may have used the same campaign jingle, but they have nothing do with each other. Party-list Akap Bata made this clarification before submitting its list of nominees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, stressing that the group is not connected with Nacionalista Party presidential bet Senator Manual Villar Jr. In an interview with GMANews.TV, Akap Bata first nominee Dr. Joy Alcantara said they only wanted to "ride" on the popularity of Villar's campaign jingle "Dagat ng Basura" and nothing more. "Gusto naming makilala, tapos ganun nga ang nangyari napag-usapan kami (We wanted to be known, and that's what happened, we were talked about)," she said.

She said they obtained the rights to air the jingle with the permission of advertising firm DM9, which created the hit campaign material. She added that they did not have to contact the camp of Villar about the matter. Alcantara said her group wants to end speculations that the Akap Bata Party-list is "adjunct" party-list that is “funded" by Villar, adding that its members are veteran child advocates, some of whom are daycare teachers and child care workers. Other nominees of the group are child care workers Arlene Brosas and Weny Pagsibigan, parish worker Evelyn Guerrero, dental professor Dr. Angelita Galban, and daycare worker Gloria Lumabi. "Sana naman pag-aralan nila yung aming plataporma kasi para po kami sa survival, protection, at participation at development ng mga bata (We hope they study our platforms because we are pushing for the survival, protection, participation, and development of children)," she said. Not government-funded Alcantara likewise denied allegations their group is being funded by the government. She said their funding comes from donations of child advocates. "Magugulat ka nga kasi marami palang nagmamahal sa mga bata, at ine-encourage pa namin yung iba na tumulong (You'll be surprised because many people love children, and we encourage more to help)," she said. She said their group began as a non-government organization eight years ago. In 2008, she said their central organization was formed. The Comelec accredited 187 party-list organizations for the May automated polls. According to the Comelec law department, at least 85 party-list groups have already submitted the names of their nominees. The deadline for submission is Friday midnight. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV