By Junex Doronio
October 8, 2022
PNA photo courtesy
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Gaining momentum, a Muslim veteran journalist, an overseas Filipino workers (OFW) leader, and a transportation sector stalwart have also joined the socialist humanist Maharlika Solidarity (MASO) to serve as an alternative to “elitist and pro-neoliberal traditional politicians” or “trapos.”
Ali G. Macabalang, the news editor of Philippine Muslim Today who once wrote for the Manila Bulletin for 26 years and for the Philippine Daily Inquirer for seven years and who was previously two-time executive director of the government-run Bureau of Public Information for eight years, has accepted the challenging task as Vice President for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
On the other hand, Ram Base who had been organizing OFW groups for 15 long years as Vice President for OFW Sector, and Ed Sarenas as Vice President for the Transport Sector, also signified their intention to join MASO.
Earlier, lawyer Ed Rosales Dural, who hails from Quezon province, was named MASO Vice President for Luzon while Atty. Ferdinand Dungog in this city accepted the position as Vice President for Visayas. Agusan del Norte businessman and environmentalist leader Emon Peligrino was earlier named as Secretary General.
Founded by a descendant of Lapu-Lapu last July 7 coinciding with the foundation anniversary of the Katipunan, MASO advocates Socialist Humanism and draws inspiration from the welfare societies which include Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Israel, Kuwait, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
MASO adheres to a mixed economy, including the strengthening of cooperatives and full support for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
As to the system of government, MASO prefers a unitary parliamentary form to speed up the passage of laws and to have a more efficient and accountable government leader.
MASO strongly opposes neoliberalism espoused by most “trapos”, citing its negative effects such as economic inequality, growth of monopolies, lack of job security, loss of jobs due to outsourcing, and an increasing indifference to the needs and well-being of individuals. (ai/mtvn)
