Satur Cunanan Ocampo

Partylist Representative, Bayan Muna
12th, 13th and 14th Congress of the Philippines

Satur Ocampo was born to a family of landless tenant farmers on April 7,1939 in Sta. Rita, Pampanga. He is married to Carolina “Bobbie” Malay, a writer and professor of journalism. He has four children and three grandchildren.

Satur’s life is tied to the people’s struggle. A campus journalist since 1958, he became a founding member in 1964 of the Kabataang Makabayan, the militant youth organization that sparked the resurgence of the national democratic movement in the Philippines . In 1967-68, he was elected to the National Council of the Movement for the Advancement of Nationalism ( MAN ) headed by the late Sen. Lorenzo M. Tanada.

Martial Law Years

Upon the declaration of Martial Law, he joined the revolutionary underground. In 1973, Ocampo helped found the National Democratic Front (NDF), the umbrella organization of the revolutionary organizations at the forefront of the anti-dictatorship movement.

In 1976, he was arrested, severely tortured and detained for nine years. He led prison protests against torture and other human rights violations. These protest actions highlighted by hunger strikes led to meaningful victories for political detainees. In dramatic fashion, he escaped from captivity in 1985 and joined the underground revolutionary movement.

Post-Martial Law

In 1986, Satur resurfaced when he headed the NDF negotiating panel in peace talks with the Aquino government. He was force to return to the underground when the talks broke down due to the infamous Mendiola massacre on January 22, 1987 .

In 1989, he was rearrested with his wife Carolina Malay, charged and tried with various crimes of which he was eventually acquitted. He regained his freedom in 1992. Over the next ten years, Satur worked with people’s organizations and human rights groups. He also went back to his old love of writing. His columns and commentaries through the Philippine News and Features (PNF) were published in several newspapers.

Bayan Muna Representative

Satur was elected President of Bayan Muna at its founding in 1999. When Bayan Muna topped the party-list race with an unprecedented 11.7% of the votes cast, Satur as the first nominee began a three-year term as Congressman. The Bayan Muna victory opened up a new arena to advance the struggle for change.

In 2005, the progressive bloc of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women’s Party broke away from the House majority. Ocampo has since been elected as a Deputy Minority Leader, and remains the acknowledged leader of the progressive bloc. Satur and his fellow progressive legislators effectively used the forum of Congress to expose the bankruptcy of the system, oppose anti-people policies, and assert the people’s interests. He heads the progressive bloc in the House of Representatives.

He authored or co-authored bills that were passed into law such as the Anti-Torture Law (RA 9745), Tax Relief for Minimum Wage Earners Act of 2008 (RA 9504), Strengthening of Public Attorney’s Office Act of 2006 (RA 9406), Abolition of the Death Penalty (RA 9346), Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004 (RA 9262), Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (RA 9208), Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (RA 9189), Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (RA 9173). (For a complete list of house bills and resolutions passed, visit bayanmuna.net)

Satur initiated the formation in Congress of the Special Committee on Peace, Unity and Reconciliation which he initially headed. He served as vice-chair of the Human Rights Committee and is now Deputy Minority Leader in the 14th Congress.

As a key opposition figure, Ocampo has survived the continued government campaign of political repression against him, his party and other partylist colleagues. He continues to be object of trumped-up charges by the military, notwithstanding the Supreme Court having ordered the dismissal of the spurious rebellion case against him and his colleagues.

In the face of repeated State persecution spanning decades, Satur has stood steadfast in his beliefs, principles and commitment to serve the people selflessly. His calm demeanor and diplomatic candor couch the fire in his heart that continues to rage for the people he serves. It is perhaps this enviable qualities that earned Satur the respect of his fellow lawmakers and other government officials. More importantly, Satur occupies the lofty spot in the people’s admiration as someone they can truly claim their own – lawmaker and statesman.

Visit Satur Ocampo's Official Campaign Website