ALIF (Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino) Partylist has cemented ties with a networking company who will also be representing the group this May elections.
Nominees Agakhan Tomawis and Lorenzo Rellosa met with top leaders of Telepreneur Corporation, a multi-level marketing company, to solidify support for ALIF. Telepreneur has three million members nationwide.
The Party
ALIF Partylist is an organization devoted to serving Filipinos through providing livelihood programs and spreading technology and connectivity to far-fetched areas. ALIF also aspires to empower the indigenous sector and its families by providing access to government funds and programs that preserve heritage and culture. These programs promote sustainable livelihood that has socio-economic impact in their respective areas.
Collaboration with Telepreneur
This year, ALIF Partylist forged an alliance with Telepreneur Corporation, a seven-year-old multi-level marketing company serving the need for mobile phone load requirement for all networks. Telepreneuer’s President and CEO Lorenzo Rellosa is the second nominee for ALIF.
Rellosa explains his motivations for running. "You and I, we are the modern indigenous Filipinos," he explains. "Tayong mga lumalaban sa buhay, tayong mga hindi sumusuko, tayong mga nagmamahal sa bayan. Tayo ang mga modernong indigino. Gagawin ko ang lahat para isulong ang kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng ating mga kapatid na indigino."
With his position and accomplishments, Rellosa is determined to help the indigenuous people. His career has been an impressive one, and a source of inspiration to many. Today, he is Telepreneur’s CEO and President with an annual gross sale of Php 4B and with a membership base of three million Filipinos. Rellosa also came from a political family, grandfather, Emeterio Rellosa, having served as a provincial board member in the early 1960’s to 1970’s in the province of Laguna. His father, Luis Rellosa, has served the town of Famy, Laguna as a municipal mayor from 1968-1980. Lorenz grew up in an environment of honest public service, whole heartedly advocating livelihood and educational projects for their constituents.
ALIF's Founder
As for the founder of ALIF itself, Acmad Maruhom Tomawis organized the party in Marawi City in February 2003, after a series of consultations and meetings with leaders of the indigenous cultural communities, including Muslim Filipinos. ALIF seeks to represent the marginalized and underrepresented sector of the indigenous groups particularly in Mindanao.
Tomawis started his political career in 1976 as a councilor of Marawi City. During the Martial Law era, he was appointed as mayor of the city in 1978. He then became assemblyman from 1982 to 1996. During the Estrada administration, he was appointed as the Executive Director in the Office of the Muslim Affairs from 1998 until 2001. Edgardo Angara, founder of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) party encouraged him to create the partylist for the underrepresented sector of the Maranao tribe in Mindanao. In 2003, Tomawis founded ALIF together with indigenous leaders in his community in Marawi. He served in the House of Representatives from 2004 until 2013.
Today, Tomawis is still believed to be one of the most influential leaders in Mindanao, the leader trusted to bring back the peace and unity especially after the Marawi Siege, a five-month battle against the terrorists in Marawi. ALIF aims to reach out not only to the Mindanao tribes alone, but also to other underrepresented tribes all over the country.
As a former member of the legislative sector, Tomawis believes that the next decade is a critical period for our nation. Aside from completing the unfinished tasks of the present house representatives, Tomawis emphasizes continuing peace talks with the Muslim insurgencies and providing sustainable livelihood and quality education to his community. Tomawis believes that his vision of shaping the lives of indigenous people will be made possible through his partnership with Rellosa. Together, their tandem plans on advancing through technology while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous groups that can ultimately raise the quality of life in Mindanao.
Tomorrow, with our help, they may be elected as congressmen, representing ALIF Partylist, and advocating for a better life for 100 million Filipinos.
For more information, contact alifpartylist2019@gmail.com
