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As the 2010 election approaches, politicians of various types, colors and sizes can be seen busying themselves to court their constituencies. This is especially true for those aspiring for national positions who have to cover a relatively wider audience and territorial spread. Thus, the regional sorties of those aspiring for seats in the Senate, but especially those hoping to be the next Malacanang occupant. Together, with their increasingly more ubiquitous media presence either as product or cause endorser, one cannot escape the pervasive message that elections are, indeed, forthcoming.

But unlike in the past when electoral preparations were solely the prerogative of the moneyed class or their political agents, this time the better organized and more militant sectors of the lower classes are also gearing up for the next electoral battles. Unlike in the past when this section of our society would just wait whatever their supposed political betters would dish out to them come election day, now they – or at least a significant portion from their ranks – have taken the initiative to push their agenda of change.

Thus, the founding assembly last April 16-17 of the Koalisyon ng Mamamayang Makabayan or Makabayan ,for short. Led by the partylist groups Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anakpawis, this new political coalition hopes to field candidates for local and national positions. While the coalition can, indeed, hope to win some seats in the coming elections on its own, translating that hope into a bigger reality would require additional coalition- or alliance-making with other political groups or parties in the days and months ahead.

What distinguishes this effort of Makabayan to make its mark on the political landscape is not so much its platform which reflects the patriotic and democratic aspirations of the broad masses of the people, but the determination of its organizers to push through substantial change and basic reforms in our polity despite all odds.

This will not come easy. Those who profit and benefit from the status quo are expected to do everything to keep things as they are. They might make some cosmetic concessions here and there to appease the people’s growing clamor for genuine changes in our economic and political life – changes underscored by the ongoing global economic crisis. But in the end, they want to maintain the status quo.

Still, things do change. The political victories of Gov. Ed Panlilio in Pampanga and Gov. Grace Padaca in Isabela – both guests of Makabayan in its founding assembly – are some recent examples. Combine that with the electoral gains of the partylist groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela, then you have a formidable combination that portend of things yet to come. # nordis.net