MANILA, Philippines - The Magdalo group on Saturday officially declared its support to the presidential bid of Sen. Grace Poe and vice presidential bet Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in next year's elections.
Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano said the group believes that both Poe and Trillanes can better serve the country in the executive branch.
"The group also conducted extensive consultations among our chapter leaders... and Sen. Grace Poe is the preferred candidate for the 2016 elections...She and Sen. Trillanes can make a good tandem in effecting change and development in the country since their advocacies and platforms are aligned," Alejano said.
During the group's convention, which also served as the formal declaration of Trillanes' vice presidential bid, Trillanes said the decision to run for higher office is a collective decision of the group.
"This is an opportunity to once again present the Magdalo reform agenda to the people, and raise our barnd of service to the next level," Trillanes said.
Aside from the Magdalo members and supporters, present during the Magdalo's convention was Brian Poe-Llamanzares, Poe's son, who represented the legislator and accepted the group's support on her behalf.
In a video message shown during the declaration, Poe thanked and lauded the group for its selfless service to the people.
She said that she is one with the group in its continuous fight against corruption and promoting the welfare of the people.
Magdalo began as a group of soldiers who staged the Oakwood Mutiny and Manila Peninsula siege against the Arroyo administration to condemn corruption in government and the military.
Magdalo group boasts of card-bearing members nationwide.