By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Tatak Kalamay, a group comprised of planters association, agrarian reform groups, labor organizations, and sugar workers, calling for the backing of candidates who support the domestic sugar industry, said they will mobilize all partners to ensure “pro-sugar” candidates win in Monday’s midterm elections.

“We have organized and allied ourselves with local government officials, even from opposing fences,” said convenor Raymond Montinola. “We have received a positive reception.”

“This cause goes beyond political aspirations,” he added. “[It is] to secure the future of the sugar industry.”

Montinola explained they will conduct “text brigades” and mobilization groups as part of their last minute appeal to all industry stakeholders to deliver votes for their candidates.

Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri previously lauded Tatak Kalamay’s efforts.

“We have been noticed as an industry because of the massive mobilization Tatak Kalamay has done in many areas and I, personally, would like to thank the organizers,” Zubiri said.

Earlier this month, the group claimed they had been the subject of online abuse due to their politics.

According to a statement issued by the group, they have been the subject of “downright offensive” posts, which they say “has no place in this democratic exercise.”/DGB, WDJ