AN alliance ticket among senatorial candidates who share similar positions on key governance issues is still likely and could prove a big step towards the formation of a real opposition, independent senatorial candidate Heidi Mendoza said.
In an interview over the weekend with lawyer and social media personality Ricky Tomotorgo posted on her Facebook page, Mendoza admitted that she is hoping to join a unification ticket with several candidates who are supporting the same advocacies that she is espousing, including greater transparency in government transactions and tougher laws against corruption in public office.
Among the names she mentioned were former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, labor leader Luke Espiritu, and 1Sambayan picks, including ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro and workers’ rights advocate Sonny Matula.
“It was great that I was included in the 1Sambayan lineup. I can work with Luke, Kiko, and Bam. I dream helping build a strong opposition. But as I am new to politics, I have no idea how to bring that about. With the campaign heating up, things might just get the needed push,” Mendoza said.
She also expressed gratitude to the supporters of other aspirants who included her campaign photos in their streamers as an adopted candidate.
But the former COA Commissioner rejected any possibility of an alliance with either the Marcos or Duterte senatorial tickets.
“Everything is organic as you are aware, I don’t have any political party backing. But my supporters have incredible organization skills. They have created ‘Volunteers for Hedi’ chapters in various regions and provinces,” Mendoza said.
She initially balked at proposals to put up donation pages to held fund her campaign but relented when approached by students who are worried about the shape of the country’s legislature.
“To be honest, I rejected the idea outright when it was first broached. But students told me they have saved part of their allowances so they can donate to my campaign funds, I was so touched. So finally, I agreed to endorse it but on the condition that all donations will be made public and that there will be a full audit,” she said.
She said that nearing a month on the campaign trail, she realized that her biggest advantage is that people invariably like her when she introduces herself to them.
“Likeability is high but awareness is low. My most pressing need is to be better known to the voters. I remain very confident that in my 27 years in government service, there is nothing negative that can be brought up against me,” Mendoza added.
