The partner of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th District), the estranged wife of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr., the head of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army, a former coup leader and incumbent officials of Negros Occidental are among the nominees of party-list groups seeking COMELEC inclusion in the 2013 elections.

Grace Ibuna, who is hoping to run under the Movement of Women for Change and Reform (Melchora) as its number one nominee, said that when she went around the fifth district of Negros Occidental with Arroyo she saw how women, especially those who had lost their spouses or partners, and their children needed help to cope with their loss, and empowerment to move on.

She said she wants to fight for the establishment of centers for women and children that have psychologists to help them through the pain and difficult times, and for livelihoods to help them survive.

Jewel May Lobaton Pimentel, of Bacolod City, estranged wife of Senator Pimentel, is the number one nominee of her group called Ako Para sa Batang Pinoy, which has filed intent to participate in the May 2012 polls.

Lobaton-Pimentel, former Miss MassKara and Binibining Pilipinas-Universe titleholder who represented the country in the Miss Universe pageant in 1998,said her group has been implementing feeding , exercise and education programs for children in Bacolod. She wants to become partylist representative so she can expand her work at helping children to the rest of the country, Lobaton-Pimentel said.

There needs to be more focus on children and their needs, especially of special children, she said.

Gary Alejano, one of the leaders of the July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and who ran for mayor of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental in 2010, but lost, is number one nominee of the Magdalo Para sa Pilipino.

Joseph Stephen Paduano, more popularly known as Carapali Lualhati, national commander of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army – a breakaway Communist rebel group negotiating peace with the government, and Negros Occidental Board Member Patrick Leonard Lacson are nominees of the Abang Lingkod Inc. group.

The number one nominee of the Trade Union Congress Party is former Murcia Councilor Roland de la Cruz, while Negrense Rep. Neri Colmenaras of Bayan Muna Partylist is its number one nominee for 2013.

Ma. Rina Amacio, secretary general of Gabriel Negros, is the sixth nominee of the Gabriela Women’s Party.*CPG

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