By: Rodney Artida
Nine senatorial aspirants faced-off in the first edition of last Sunday HARAPAN 2019, a senatorial town hall debate sponsored by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin. The three-part special will scrutinize senatorial candidates’ platform and stand on current issues of the nation for the midterm elections in May 13.
Among the issues that were discussed are inflation, contractualization, health, and criminal liability. Each candidate got their chance to introduce themselves and their platforms. Let us review their position on the pressing issues of the nation.
Photo source: ABS-CBN
AQUINO
Re-electionist Senator Bam Aquino seeks to further advance the education sector if given another chance at the Senate.
“Kung tayo po ay pagpalain (if given a chance), we will build on the reforms of education,” the opposition bet said in his opening statement.
“Dagdagan ho natin ng ating pagpapaganda ng facilities, tulong sa mga guro at siguraduhin ho natin na ang bawat graduate may naghihintay na magandang trabaho ho sa kanila,” he added.
The minority senator has authored 19 laws, the most recent of which is the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, a measure that provides free tuition for students in state-run universities, colleges, and technical-vocational schools.
He also seeks for the suspension of the excise tax in fuels to reduce the rising prices of commodities. Meanwhile, he is not in favor of lowering the age of criminal liability, federalism, unlimited terms and charter change.
GLENN CHONG
Former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong said he would push for clean elections following the killing of his aide last year.
“Makikipaglaban tayo para sa malinis na halalan,” Chong said.
Chong claimed that his corruption-free record is the reason behind the killing of his aide, Richard Santillan.
“Hindi po nila ako kayang bilhin. Ano ang ginawa nila? Pinagpapatay po kami at ang unang biktima ay si Richard Santillan,” he said.
“Mula sa 2010 hanggang sa 2019, 9 na taon nakikipaglaban po ako para sa inyo pero wala ho akong kaso. Ibig sabihin ho niyan ako po ay nagsasabi ng katotohanan,” he added. Chong wants to institutionalize strategic health initiatives in the far flung communities such as medical missions and doctors to the barrio program. He said that he is also open for medical use of marijuana
He is also in favor of lowering the age of criminal liability, seeing it as a deterrent against syndicates and keeping the minors away from the marketplace of criminals.
Chong also stated that he is backing federalism.
Chong is also pushing for the removal of Smartmatic as Comelec’s election partner and shifting towards hybrid election voting.
JIGGY MANICAD
Former broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad said he would push for agricultural reforms in the country If elected as senator.
“Ang akin pong isusulong pangunahin ay pagpaparami ng pagkain sa ating bayan, pagpapalakas ng ating agrikultura, isang maka- Pilipinong agrikultura ang aking isusulong,” he said in his opening remarks.
Manicad will push for greater food production in the country, strengthening of our agriculture, incentives for local doctors and health workers and lowering the age of criminal liability to reform children under conflict with the law.
Manicad, who has no previous experience in politics, added that he desires to see new faces in the Senate.
“Ang vision ko po para sa Senado ay magkaroon ng mga bagong dugo na magpapatupad ng mga makabagong polisiya kung saan wala pong vested interest na inaatupag,” he said.
SAMIRA GUTOC
Describing herself as the only “thorn among the roses,” Muslim candidate Samira Gutoc takes pride in being the only woman candidate in Sunday’s debate.
“Isa pong babae, the only thorn este rose among the thorns at siya lang minsan ang tumatanggap sa debate na babae,” she said of herself.
If elected to the Senate, Gutoc vowed to advocate for gender equality, to fight anti-poor policies and to be the voice of the provinces.
“Kinakailangan po ng mga naninindigan na babae sa Senado. Kailangan po natin ng mga babaeng sumasabak, hindi natatakot, at naririnig po ang boses ng mga probinsya dito sa Maynila,” she said.
FLORIN HILBAY
Running under the Otso Diretso slate OF Liberal Party, former solicitor general Florin Hilbay promised to fight poverty if he wins a Senate seat.
“Bilang isang senador, tututukan ko ang sektor na aking pinanggalingan: ang sektor ng mahihirap,” he said.
Hilbay takes pride in his humble roots in Tondo, Manila, saying he will use his life experiences in formulating laws for the country.
Hilbay is also advocating to fight anti-poor policies of Duterte administration namely excise tax on fuels and the anti-drug campaign.
FRANCIS TOLENTINO
If elected, former chairman of the MMDA and presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino would like to concentrate on disaster management and urban development.
“Ang plano ko po unang isulong bukod sa mga environmental laws, ay magpasa ng isang batas na pagkatapos ng isang kalamidad ay makakabangon agad ang mahihirap na Pilipino,” Tolentino, who lost in the 2016 senatorial race, said.
Tolentino added that he wants to propose a Philippine Urban Development Commission to address the progress of cities in the country.
He said that he is open
CHEL DIOKNO
Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno would like to focus on improving the justice system, an issue close to his heart.
“Ako’y naniniwala na kailangan maayos natin ang hustisya para tayo ay umasenso at umangat ang buhay ng lahat,” he said.
“Gagawin ko po ang lahat para ibalik ang katarungan sa ating bayan,” he added.
LARRY GADON
A self-branded crusader against stupidity, lawyer Lorenzo Gadon said he would improve the lives of Filipinos by making laws that would bring down power rates.
“Pagagaanin ko ang buhay ng tao sa pamamagitan ng pagpapababa ng kuryente dahil ito ang nagpapahirap sa tao,” he said.
He also stood out during the debate with his answers and solutions on pressing issues such as mass vaccinations, and industrialization of the labor force.
A Marcos loyalist, Gadon believes that the Marcoses should not apologize to the victims of Martial Law.
He is also pushing for the return of the death penalty, lowering the age of criminal liability, constitutional reform and federalism.
Gadon also persuaded voters by asking them to elect new faces that are not stupid.
“Kung talagang gusto natin ng tunay na pagbabago, pumili kayo ng bago na hindi bobo!” he added.
WILLIE ONG
Known for his medical tips and advice on social media, Willie Ong hopes to continue the legacy of the late senator Juan Flavier.
A medical doctor with a huge social media following, Willie Ong wants to address health-related concerns if he wins a Senate seat.
“Ang priority ko talaga kulang na kulang tayo sa kalusugan sa bayan natin. [Gusto ko ng] libreng maintenance na gamot mula sa Philhealth, libreng check up,” he said.
Ong also supports federalism, health reforms, and legalization of medical marijuana, lowering the age of criminal liablity and death penalty
Ong surprised his followers when he announced his bid for Senate under Lakas-CMD.
Young ECHO 
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