BUKIDNON | BUKIDNON NEWS | POLITICS | CONTROVERSIAL – The quick and considered “surprising” defection of Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. from LAKAS CMD KAMPI to Nacionalista Party recently still rings loudly across the province. In fact, a multi-sectoral group has released a manifesto denouncing Zubiri’s decision to endorse Nacionalista Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Villar.

Zubiri endorsed Villar during the Malaybalay City Charter Day celebration program last March 22, 2010. Villar, along with senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla, graced the program.

(L-R) Alan Peter Cayetano, senatorial candidates Atty. Adel Tamano and Gilbert Remulla and NP presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar

Here’s the full text of the manifesto:

A MANIFEST FOR POLITICAL DECENCY

We, the undersigned people of Bukidnon, coming from different sectors of the society, denounce the actions of Gov. Jose Zubiri, Jr, which he made for himself and on behalf of “his” (as he proclaims) incumbent mayors, who follow his decisions whether knowingly or unknowingly, for having “dumped” his party’s Lakas presidential candidate by endorsing vigorously the candidacy of the Nacionalista Party presidential candidate publicly without giving Candidate Teodoro the benefit of a graceful turnover.

That this is now “allowed” by shrugging it off as “that’s politics”, we believe that it is high time that these acts should not go unnoticed and should be denounced. We are ashamed that incumbent officials of our beloved province did not act in a decent manner. The motive for this move is not well explained either by these candidates who once again are asking for our votes. Why then do we bring this up as a national issue? Because we believe that this is a sample of what is happening all over our country today…the lack of the decency as taught to us by the teachings of our church and our elders. Here lies the root of our country’s ills when we can no longer discern what is morally right or wrong as “that’s politics” is accepted as “right” in this country today.

When we speak and preach that change is within ourselves, it is incumbent upon us to stand up today when we see the danger of local candidates “selling their candidacies and support” for the national slate. Thus, is the start of a corrupt leadership.

Meanwhile, the group has called for a signature campaign against Zubiri’s defection. The group said that interested parties who want to support the signature campaign can contact the following numbers 09061115989 or 09263125850.

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