Former Congresswoman Liza Maza declared her Senate candidacy as a bold stand to change the rotten system that has long plagued the nation’s politics. “This is a protest run. I am running against the rotten, corrupt, and oppressive politics! “Tama na, sobra na!” exclaimed Maza before a crowd of OFW families and supporters.
Despite threats and intimidation, Liza Maza and her supporters were resolute in pushing through with the #MazaNaman sa Senado campaign launch, relocated to Quezon City.
“Announcement pa lang pinapigilan na. They attempted to stop me. Pati na rin ang layuning naming malayang makipagtalakayan sa mga mamamayan ng Caloocan. Gusto lang nilang ihapag ang kanilang mga karaingan para dalhin ko sa pagtakbo sa Senado. Talagang kinukundena namin ang ginawang pagharang sa amin ng PNP Caloocan at NTF-ELCAC!” Maza declared, pointing to the continuing climate of repression brought by these forces in the locality.
On the eve of the launch, elements of the NTF-ELCAC and police allegedly harassed and intimidated locals, preventing the campaign’s organizers and supporters from holding her announcement in two previously arranged venues. Caloocan residents coordinating the event reported that men on motorcycles — suspected police operatives — continue to circle their houses until yesterday. Maza commented that these men are the same PNP Caloocan and NTF-ELCAC whose notorious “Tokhang-style” operations and unlawful red-tagging of activists, which have led to the executions of urban poor residents and the coerced and false surrenders of citizens in Caloocan.
Supporters and Maza herself have affirmed that this incident will only bolster their determination to advance their campaign, saying that they are resolute to fight for our democratic rights and ensure that the people’s voices are heard in the Senate.
Maza, elected thrice as a Congresswoman – once under the Bayan Muna Partylist and twice under the Gabriela Women’s Party – is a respected figure in Philippine politics for her commitment to social justice and progressive positions on issues. Known for her pro-people legislation in Congress, she authored laws that protect women and children’s rights such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) and the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), and co-authored several others. In her role as the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), she challenged the bankrupt neoliberal approach in poverty reduction and initiated an alternative pro-people framework. This was outlined in the NAPC publication “Reforming Philippine Anti-Poverty Policy.”
Politics of change
In the announcement event, Maza remarked about her experience as a public servant stating, “Nakita ko na lahat yan. I’ve seen things. The corruption and wanton greed. I witnessed how they consistently obstruct any pro-people initiative because, at its core, it serves the interests of the ruling elite. Bulok talaga ang sistema.”
Her tenure as the lead convenor of the NAPC was marked by persistent attacks from mysoginist, anti-reform, rightist, and militarist factions aimed at undermining her leadership and efforts. Maza ultimately resigned in protest against the return to power of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the rehabilitation of the Marcoses, and the cessation of peace talks.
She emphasized that her senatorial campaign is driven by her commitment to the exploited OFWs and the toiling masses suffering under a failing neoliberal economic system that has kept majority of Filpinos poor. “Paulit-ulit na lang. Sa lahat ng mga nagdaang administrasyon na ito ang kanilang tinataguyod na neoliberal na patakaran na sisilbi lang sa interes nila at ng iilan,” she declared.
Maza and Makabayan’s senatorial bid represents a departure from traditional politics, with Maza decrying the cycle of deception and broken promises that has plagued previous elections. “Sa bawat halalan ay puro panloloko, pa-cute at mga pangakong lalong naglugmok sa taongbayan sa krisis. Sukang-suka na ang mga Pilipino dito,” she added.
Maza’s campaign will be forwarding a pro-Filipino economy that Filipinos control and benefit from, breaking free from foreign domination that stifle job creation. “Isusulong natin ang tunay na repormang agraryo, kooperatibisasyon at modernisasyon ng agrikultura,” Maza said and adding that this is complemented by a commitment to lead industrialization efforts and nationalize strategic industries. “Ito ang magtitiyak na makatarungang pamamahagi ng yaman ng bansa at biyaya ng ekonomiya,” she asserted.
“Kailangan natin ng makabayang at makamasang polisiya at isang politika ng pagbabago. Kailangan natin unahin ang interes at mga kahilingan ng masang Pilipino,” stressing the need for patriotic and people-centered policies to address the root causes of poverty and truly uplift the Filipino people.
As a veteran activist, Maza is at at the frontlines of opposing the presence and intervention of foreign troops in the Philippines over the decades. She has consistently asserted that “we must not concede our sovereignty to any foreign agenda, whether it’s the US or China. We refuse to become another launch pad for US-led wars!” When asked about the growing geopolitical tensions she responded with “ang kailangan natin ay isang independent foreign policy na hindi kailanman sinusuko ang ating pambansang kasarinlan.”
Long-time defender of migrant workers and the poor
Migrant workers supporting her Senate bid from Hong Kong, the US, the Middle East, and Europe tuned in live to the “Maza Naman sa Senado” event. Testimonies from migrants showcased the growing support from Filipinos abroad for Liza Maza.
Dolores Balladares from Migrante-Hong Kong expressed her strong support for Liza Maza’s senatorial campaign, noting the swift consensus among OFWs to back Maza. “Kaya ng napag-alaman naming na tatakbo sa pagka senador si Liza Maza, mabilis ang aming naging pagkakaisa na ibigay ang suporta ng mga OFWs di lang mula sa Asia Pasipiko kundi maging sa buong mundo!”
She recalled the injustices faced by Filipino migrants, citing how trapos neglect their plight, “Gaya ng nangyari kay Flor Contemplacion na nauwi sa pagbitay sa kanya sa Singapore dahil sa kawalan ng suporta at maagap na pagtugon ng gobyernong Ramos.”
Flor Contemplacion was a landmark case that exposed the routinely violent conditions our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially women, face abroad. Maza led the Justice for Flor campaign and demanded government support in sparing her from the death penalty in Singapore. Her efforts in leading the mass movement brought focus to the plight of migrant workers abroad, which eventually led to the legislation of the Migrant Worker’s Act of 1995.
Nanay Celia, the brave mother of human trafficking victim Mary Jane Veloso—currently on death row in Indonesia— also offered her endorsement for Liza Maza’s senatorial bid. “Nang nabalitaan ko na tatakbo sa Senado si Liza Maza, nabuhayan po ako ng loob. May pag-asa nang makauwi si Mary Jane,” Celia said, expressing renewed hope for her daughter’s freedom and safe return. “Kaya, Liza, pipilitin namin na ipanalo ka.”
Other supporters from youth, urban poor, Moro, and indigenous communities also shared testimonies about their struggles and pledged their support for her senatorial run. These groups, long marginalized and often ignored by the political elite, rallied behind Maza, recognizing her as their true champion for their rights in the Senate race.
True to Maza’s activism, the event was organized to provide a platform for people’s organizations and ordinary masses to share their issues and demands.
She commits to hold #PulongMaza, speakout forums, around the country to hear ordinary people’s demands and take them with her to Senate, “nararapat lang na ang pag-usapan natin sa panahon ng halalan ay mga isyu ng masa at kung paano babaguhin ang kanilang kalagayan.”
“Sa panahon na binubusabos na tayo, paulit-ulit na lang sa bawat eleksyon, tama lang na ipakita ang ating protesta. Iwaksi na ang mga trapo! Panahon na para sa boses ng masa sa Senado,” Maza ends#
REFERENCE: +63945 230 6500 (Sms/WhatsApp/Viber) +63927 987 2842 (WhatsApp/Viber)