Northern Alliance bloc rallies behind President Aquino

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – The largest voting bloc in the House of Representatives expressed its “full and unwavering support” for President Benigno Aquino III. 

The Northern Alliance, composed of members of Congress from northern Luzon, cited the administration’s economic gains and peace-building initiatives as reasons for their support. 

Twenty-five members of the alliance affixed their signatures in their “Manifesto of Support” released on Sunday, March 29. 

The signatories including Representative Eric D. Singson of the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur, who is also the founder of the Northern Alliance together with former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Representative Ronald Singson of the 1st District of Ilocos Sur, and Representative Rodolfo Fariñas of the 1st District of Ilocos Norte.

The other congressmen who signed the manifesto are the following:

• Representative Maria Jocelyn Bernos of Abra
• Representative Maximo Dalog of Mountain Province
• Representative Eleanor Bulut-Begtang of Apayao
• Representative Jesus F. Celeste of the 1st District of Pangasinan
• Representative Samuel Bataoil of the 2nd District, Pangasinan
• Representative Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas of the 3rd District, Pangasinan
• Representative Ma Georgina De Venecia of the 4th District, Pangasinan
• Representative Marlyn Primicias-Agabas of the 6th District of Pangasinan
• Representative Nicasio Aliping of Baguio
• Representative Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao
• Representative Victor Francisco Ortega of 1st District of La Union
• Representative Eufranio Eriguel of the 2nd District of La Union
• Representative Ronald Cosalan of Benguet
• Representative Manuel Agyao of Kalinga
• Representative Baby Aline Argas-Alfonso of the 2nd District of Cagayan
• Representative Randolph Ting of the 3rd District of Cagayan
• Representative Dakila Carlo Cua of Quirino
• Representative Linabelle Ruth Villarica of the 4th District of Bulacan
• Representative Romeo Acop of Antipolo
• Representative Francisco Emmanuel Ortega of ABONO
• Representative Conrado Esrella of ABONO
• Representative Samuel Pagdilao Jr of ACT-CIS

Those who did not sign the manifesto include the following:

• Representative Imelda Marcos of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte
• Representative Kimi Cojuangco of the 5th District of Pangasinan
• Representative Sally Ponce Enrile of the 1st District of Cagayan
• Representative Rodolfo Albano of the 1st District of Isabela
• Representative Ana Cristina Go of the 2nd District of Isabela
• Representative Napoleon Dy of the 3rd District of Isabela
• Representative Georgidi Aggabao of the 4th District of Isabela
• Representative Jonathan dela Cruz of Abakada partylist

In a comment on an earlier version of this story, Cojuangco said she could not have signed the document because it did not reach her. Married to the President’s cousin, she clarified that, except for the proposed Bangsamoro law, she is supportive of Aquino. – Rappler.com