The largest and most militant peasant organization in the country, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) again criticized Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago for saying that she has no reason to be in the Senate, but for it only to serve as a distraction to her personal grief. Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group said“ though we share her sorrow for the passing of her son, the Senate should be used as an institution to serve the people and not as a mere therapy center,”

It can be remembered that Alexander “AR” Robert Santiago committed suicide 8 months ago, which caused tremendous grief to the senator’s family.

“For the record also, we are not attacking Sen. Santiago for leaving the administration block and declaring herself to be independent. We are not supporting any senate block. What we are saying is that her type of politics is very dirty and is a concrete example of the rotten politics here in our country,” added the peasant leader.

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, media officer of KMP, said “maybe Miriam should take time off from the Senate first and attend to her grief momentarily. Her post-traumatic stress disorder should not be used as an excuse for her actions,”

“All we are saying is that positions of power must be used for the interest of the majority of the people, it should not be taken lightly and frivolously as the senator is doing,” ended Ala. # # #

KMP - 28 July 2004