Poverty & violence in Masbate on ABS’ KampanyaSerye

MANILA, Philippines - For many years now, Masbateños lived in fear because of the violence between warring political clans. How is the political landscape in the poverty-stricken land affecting the people, especially now that a new candidate in the person of a priest has entered the gubernatorial race and challenged the influential Seachon-Lanetes and Khos of Masbate?

Starting today, Ryan Chua chronicles the rivalry between the Seachon-Lanetes and the Khos and gets views from the local people regarding what seems to be a never-ending rift between the two political families for ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs’ KampanyaSerye: Hotspot: Masbate in TV Patrol.

The province of Masbate could have enjoyed economic progress, but political infighting has stalled its growth.  Even the needs of its residents like education and livelihood have long been neglected.

And a new political figure has entered the campaign scene. Catholic priest Fr. Leo Casas is running against incumbent governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and second district Rep. Antonio Kho for the gubernatorial seat. Both Lanete and Kho belong to political dynasties that have long been ruling the island-province.

Will Fr. Casas be able to bring peace and political reforms? How will he fare against Lanete and Kho who have dominated the province’s politics?  How will Lanete and Kho counter Casas’ campaign?

KampanyaSerye is a teleserye-like documentary that tackles and probes the stories behind campaign promises and rhetorics to bring out the issues that matter to the electorate and show the competencies of aspiring leaders.  It is part of ABS-CBN’s Halalan 2013 coverage that was launched one year before the May national elections and aims to educate voters who are set to elect a new batch of leaders.

The five-part report, Hotspot: Masbate, will be simulcast on DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Ch. 26) and DZMM Radyo Patrol 630. Watch it on the various newscasts of ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel (SkyCable Ch. 27), and the Producer’s Cut version on Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.

You can also catch up via online at www.abs-cbnnews.com/KampanyaSerye. Tweet your thoughts and opinions using the hashtag #KampanyaSerye.