Environmentalists rate ‘green’ senatorial bets

Metro Manila, Philippines - Environmental groups have released their lists of what they called “green” senatorial candidates to guide voters supporting those advocating climate justice and ecological protection.

To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, the Luntiang Bayan coalition analyzed the 64 senatorial bets for the midterm polls against its eight-point environmental agenda.

The top five in its “green flag” were:

Arlene Brosas (Makabayan)

France Castro (Makabayan)

Luke Espiritu (Partido Lakas ng Masa)

Amirah Lidasan (Makabayan)

Leody de Guzman (Partido Lakas ng Masa)

“Brosas and Castro earned top marks for filing measures against destructive reclamation, mining, dam projects, and water privatization, while pushing for labor rights, wage increase, education, and sustainable policies,” the coalition said.

The Luntiang Bayan said it conducted online research to gather data. Information sources included candidates’ websites and official social media accounts, congressional records, and media reports.

“Candidates were scored using a point system that recognized positive actions such as legislation, public statements, and community engagement on environmental issues, while deducting points for ties to political dynasties, corporate interests, corruption, misinformation, and environmentally destructive policies,” it said.

The Luntiang Bayan also said it worked with election watchdog Kontra Daya for the evaluation.

Earth Island Institute Asia-Pacific, Philippine Animal Welfare Society, EcoWaste Coalition, Katribu and 350 Pilipinas led the coalition.

In March, the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI), a network of environmental and faith-based groups, also revealed its assessment to 26 select senatorial candidates.

The PMPI grouped 14 “popular candidates” from the December 2024 Social Weather Stations survey, while 12 “alternative candidates” were from its own pre-election poll in January.

It also employed a similar method of using a point-ranking system against four thematic areas to come up with the “Power of Purple” study.

Among “popular candidates,” the PMPI said the top five were:

Abby Binay (Nationalist People’s Coalition)

Erwin Tulfo (Lakas-CMD)

Ping Lacson (Independent)

Tito Sotto (Nationalist People’s Coalition)

Bong Go (PDP Laban)

The PMPI said the top five for “alternative candidates” were:

Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party)

Roberto Ballin (Independent)

Bam Aquino (Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino)

France Castro (Makabayan)

Arlene Brosas (Makabayan)

“We are hoping that the Power of Purple ratings and research findings will be a valuable tool for voters in choosing leaders who will champion policies that protect both people and the planet,” PMPI national coordinator Yolanda Rafol-Esguerra said.

“This Earth Day, let’s choose leaders who will prioritize people, animals, and the planet,” urged Trixie Concepcion, regional director of Earth Island Institute and convener of Luntiang Bayan. “Our future depends on the choices we make today – vote green, vote for a sustainable tomorrow.”

Filipinos will vote for the midterm elections on May 12.