DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos(5th from left) led the unveiling of KNP Pledge in support of President Marcos Jr's call for unity following the launching of the Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino held today (Tuesday July 20, 2022) at the Marquee Tent, Shangri la Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
A GROUP of lawmakers, current and former local government officials and socio-civic groups yesterday formally launched a movement which they said heeded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call for unity, reject politics of division and be a unifying factor to achieve the government’s development goals.
Convenors of the group called Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino formally introduced the group to the public in a simple ceremony at the Marquee Tent, Edsa Shangri la Hotel which was attended by former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos and was graced by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos.
The convenors of the group were Representatives Rida Robes (lone District, City of of San Jose del Monte), Divina Grace Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur), Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (Nueva Vizcaya), Richard Gomez (4th District, Leyte), Johnny Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), Toby Tiangco (Navotas) and Rosanna “Ria” Vergara (3rd District, Nueva Ecija) and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez.
Sec. Abalos, who is the keynote speaker, said the formation of the group was in response to Marcos Jr.’s call for unity and rejection of politics of division. He said Marcos Jr. was emphatic about it and “we are here to repair a house divided…to make it strong again in bayanihan way.”
“Our coming together is our response to the President’s clarion call for unity. KNP is immediately formed to formalize that movement to solidify (our) platform for cohesive, inclusive and unified action for national economy and sustainable development,” Secretary Abalos said.
KNP convenors clarified that it is not a political movement but a socio-civic movement that aims to reach out to all sectors of society up to the grassroots level. San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, for her part all they want is for the group “to be inclusive and united in pursuit of a better Philippines.”
“Ito po ay tugon sa panawagan ng pangulo –ang magbuo ng isang kilusan at pagalingin ang malalim na hidwaan ng pagkakawatak-watak…Ang kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino ay isang kilusan, samahan, ugnayan at tagpuan ng lahat ng Pilipinong nagmamahal sa bansa at naghahangad ng tagumpay at pag unlad ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,”Rep. Robes said. She said what happened today is only the beginning of a bigger plan to expand the organization: “Today we are 200. Next month, 2,000…and in the days to come 20,000 to 200,000 to 2 million to twenty (million) and beyond.
The growth is exponential until we embody our vision of a truly unified nation.”
The group also envisions a government that is both transformational and transformed, she added.
“We are here to affirm our unwavering and full support to President Ferdinand Marcos jr.—in his call to collectively work for a better Philippines for all Filipinos regardless of political conviction, religion, motivations and creed, she added. Her call was also echoed by Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Rosanna “Ria” Vergara who said that the newly launched movement is “a movement of conscientious Filipinos working collectively for a better Philippines.”
“Ito ay para sa lahat at lahat ay kasama—walang iwanan. It is for everyone and everyone is welcome. Magkaiba man ang ating pinaggalingan, and ating mga pananaw—nagkakaisa tayo sa layunin at mithiin, she added. The event was also attended by former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos, five governors, several lawmakers, city and town mayors and leaders of various civic organizations who led in the signing of KNP Pledge in support of Marcos Jr.’s call for unity.
