Opposition senatorial bets press need to maintain Senate as independent institution
Published Feb 17, 2019 09:43 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
Opposition senatorial candidates have reiterated the need for voters to elect the next set of senators that would ensure that the Senate is an independent institution.
Sen. Bam Aquino (RIO DELUVIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV who is running for reelection, made the statement at the opening of Harapan 2019, ABS-CBN’s Senatorial Town Hall Debate, when responding to a question on their vision for the Philippine Senate.
“Mga kaibigan, ang kailangan po n gating bayan ay isang Senado na independent, hindi po sunud-sunuran sa mga taong nakaupo at bagkus, kinakampihan ay ang tao po mismo,” Aquino said.
“Kelangan ho natin ng isang Senadong magsisigurado na ang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino ay tutugan po –edukasyon, kalusugan, pagbaba ng mga presyo ng bilihin, hustisya,” he further said.
“Kelangan natin ng Senado nay un po ang itataguyod at siyempre kelangan lumaban din sa mga panukalang magsisilbing magpapabigat sa ating taombayan,” he added.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who is also gunning for a senatorial seat echoed Aquino’s position.
“We need a government that would fight drugs, but one that would not kill people,” Hilbay said.
Hilbay also said the country needs a Senate that would pursue the policies that would not make Filipinos foreigners in their own land, and would uphold the Philippines sovereignty.
“We also need a government that would not take the sides of plunderers,” Hilbay said.
Samira Ali Gutoc, civic leader and journalist, and a member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for her part, called for more courageous women lawmakers in the Senate.
Gutoc, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission that drafted the Bangsamoro basic law, pointed out she used to be part of the Duterte administration but had to resign in protest of the President’s rape joke.
“I believe in a society where equality of men and women are guaranteed. We also believe in upholding peace and putting a stop to any form of violence,” Gutoc said.
“This is something I experienced firsthand as a rescue team worker. I resigned from the Duterte administration due to a rape joke I heard (him utter) one week after the Marawi siege,” she stressed.
“Under this, circumstances, we see the need for women to stand in the Senate. we need women that will fearlessly take on challenges and make the voices of those in provinces heard here in Metro Manila,” added Gutoc.
Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, De La Salle University founding dean, reiterated the need for justice, which has become elusive under the present circumstances, to prevail once again in society.
“Justice seems to be elusive these days… other politicians chose to ignore it because they do not want liabilities,” Diokno says.
“That is why I am running for Senate… because the law is no longer fair, being used by politicians and those in power to pursue their personal interests…I don’t carry those kind of baggage,” Diokno reiterated. #MatalinongBoto2019
Sen. Bam Aquino (RIO DELUVIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV who is running for reelection, made the statement at the opening of Harapan 2019, ABS-CBN’s Senatorial Town Hall Debate, when responding to a question on their vision for the Philippine Senate.
“Mga kaibigan, ang kailangan po n gating bayan ay isang Senado na independent, hindi po sunud-sunuran sa mga taong nakaupo at bagkus, kinakampihan ay ang tao po mismo,” Aquino said.
“Kelangan ho natin ng isang Senadong magsisigurado na ang pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino ay tutugan po –edukasyon, kalusugan, pagbaba ng mga presyo ng bilihin, hustisya,” he further said.
“Kelangan natin ng Senado nay un po ang itataguyod at siyempre kelangan lumaban din sa mga panukalang magsisilbing magpapabigat sa ating taombayan,” he added.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who is also gunning for a senatorial seat echoed Aquino’s position.
“We need a government that would fight drugs, but one that would not kill people,” Hilbay said.
Hilbay also said the country needs a Senate that would pursue the policies that would not make Filipinos foreigners in their own land, and would uphold the Philippines sovereignty.
“We also need a government that would not take the sides of plunderers,” Hilbay said.
Samira Ali Gutoc, civic leader and journalist, and a member of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, for her part, called for more courageous women lawmakers in the Senate.
Gutoc, a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission that drafted the Bangsamoro basic law, pointed out she used to be part of the Duterte administration but had to resign in protest of the President’s rape joke.
“I believe in a society where equality of men and women are guaranteed. We also believe in upholding peace and putting a stop to any form of violence,” Gutoc said.
“This is something I experienced firsthand as a rescue team worker. I resigned from the Duterte administration due to a rape joke I heard (him utter) one week after the Marawi siege,” she stressed.
“Under this, circumstances, we see the need for women to stand in the Senate. we need women that will fearlessly take on challenges and make the voices of those in provinces heard here in Metro Manila,” added Gutoc.
Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, De La Salle University founding dean, reiterated the need for justice, which has become elusive under the present circumstances, to prevail once again in society.
“Justice seems to be elusive these days… other politicians chose to ignore it because they do not want liabilities,” Diokno says.
“That is why I am running for Senate… because the law is no longer fair, being used by politicians and those in power to pursue their personal interests…I don’t carry those kind of baggage,” Diokno reiterated. #MatalinongBoto2019