The Bayan Muna legislator was trying to explain the controversial decision that has split progressive groups in the Philippines and has cast doubts on his ability to distance himself from traditional politicians.

The decision is particularly ironic because also part of Villar's ticket is Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, whose father was responsible for jailing Ocampo for sedition for nine years.

As Ocampo tells it, the dilemma began when the various progressive party-list groups including his Bayan Muna, formed the Makabayan coalition in May.

First, the coalition had to decide whether it ought to align itself with a presidential candidate. Then, they had to resolve the more important question of "who" it should be.

Deciding whether they should be part of a presidential ticket or go their own way proved to be easier.

"Mahirap maging independent kasi una, hindi ka makakapag-designate ng poll watchers. Titirahin ka lang nang titirahin pagdating ng eleksyon." (It's hard to run as an independent because you cannot designate poll watchers. They would just cheat you come election time).

Still, they anticipated tough times ahead.

"Alam namin, marumi ang pulitika, kaya ipinangako namin na `papasok tayo diyan pero hindi tayo mababahiran'" (We knew politics was dirty, but we promised ourselves that even if we got into it, we would not allow ourselves to be tarnished).

The question of who they should back as president proved more ticklish.

At first, Ocampo says it looked like they would go with Sen. Francisco "Chiz" Escudero, whose political platform hewed closer to their own.

"He was also very popular, especially with the youth, and we thought we should go with him," says Ocampo.

But when Escudero bowed out of the race after failing to get the support of his party's elders, Ocampo's group turned to Mar Roxas, who was at the time appeared dead-set on forging ahead with his presidential bid.

But again, it was not to be. Roxas pulled out of the race to play second fiddle to Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, who appeared at the time to be a runaway favorite in the race.

It seemed natural then for the group to approach Aquino, but he did not appear interested.

"We don't consider him a kalaban (foe) kasi ang kalaban namin ay si Gloria (President Arroyo). But may outstanding issue sa Luisita (the hacienda owned by the family of Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino).

It turned out the younger Aquino was particularly touchy about the Luisita issue, and even reportedly took a dig at Ocampo for always bringing it up.

Ocampo is obviously miffed, but tends to blame the "people around" Aquino more for the rebuff.

From then on, it became only a matter of time before Makabayan agreed to Villar's invitation to join his ticket.

Ocampo explains the choice thus: "Ang basis namin ay ang pagtanggap niya (Villar) sa aming plataporma." (Our basis is his acceptance of our platform). "Sino ba sa kanila ang willing tumanggap ng new politics namin?" (Who among them is willing to accept our brand of new politics?)

This so-called alternative platform, says his fellow senatorial candidate Liza Maza, includes the promotion of a nationalist economy that espouses agrarian reform, debt moratorium and the protection of workers' interests. It also calls for the reopening of peace talks with Muslim rebels and communist insurgents, and a tougher policy against human rights violations.

Along the way, another bump developed in their fragile link, when Marcos' long-inactive party, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) announced an alliance with Villar's Nationalista Party. When Ocampo and Maza threatened to bolt the lineup as a result, Villar dropped KBL posthaste

But having Marcos in the same ticket is only one of the issues Ocampo always finds himself being quizzed about. Another is the C5 controversy that has been hounding Villar's campaign.

Ocampo says that from the beginning, his group considered the issue as a possible mark against Villar, and urged him to resolve it first. But later, they realized that this was not about to happen as the whole thing had turned into a political circus.

Everyone at the Senate claiming to investigate the alleged double insertion in the C5 bill is said to have an ulterior motive. "All of them stand to gain (from Villar's downfall)," says Ocampo.

Still, he vowed that should Villar be held accountable, he and his group would not hesitate to walk away.