Albani, Arcega, Arellano, Enrile, Mallillin bare platforms on 'Kandidato'

Get to know your senatorial candidates in GMA News TV's Investigative Documentaries: Kandidato series.

In its latest episode, senatorial hopefuls Shariff Ibrahim Albani, Gerald Arcega, Ernesto Arellano, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Emily Mallillin discuss their platforms.

Shariff Ibrahim Albani wants to unite religions

Shariff Ibrahim Albani is a peace advocate, businessman, and a Muslim who hails from Tawi-Tawi.

He is a part owner of Singapore-based investment company Tai Say Group Pte. Ltd, and the chairman of the following: SIA Exponentials Corporation, Kwon On Trading Corporation, and Phil-Rus Minerals Trading Corporation. He says that his experiences as a businessman will rgeatly aid him in his endeavors in public service.

Albani had also repeatedly attempted to enter politics in the past. In 2004 he ran for governor of Tawi-Tawi, and then as congressman in 2013. He ran for Senate in the 2010 and 2016 elections. However, he didn't win any of these positions.

If he secures a spot in the Senate this 2019, he wants to unite the different religions and the ethnic groups for lasting peace.

"As a peace advocate, nananawagan ako sa pagkakaisa ng Muslim, Christian, at mga katutubo, sapagkat nakikita ko ito lamang ang tunay na sagot

Gerald Arcega wants death penalty for the corrupt

Gerald Arcego defines himself as an ordinary citizen who wants to be a voice for the masses and clean up the government.

To do this, he is pushing to hang corrupt politicians.

"Ako po rinerepresenta ko ang saloobin ng ating mga kababayan na talagang nagnanais na ng isang malinis na gobyerno. At lahat naman po ng nakakakita ng ating adbokasiya, na bitayin ang mga corrupt, ay natutuwa," he said.

A first timer in politics, Arcego is running under the Labor Party Philippines.

He wants to support farmers modernizing farming equipment.

He is also against land conversion and wishes to end contractualization.

Ernesto Arellano wants to end contractualization

A first-timer in politics with no riches in his name, Ernesto Arellano was nearly declared as a nuisance candidate.

Arellano had humble beginnings. He hails from La Union, and both his parents were farmers. He did most of his schooling in La Union, but finished his college degree in Baguio.

He was one of the founders of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, which was established in May 1980. he served as the group's General Secretary.

His primary platform is to end contractualization. He also disagrees with the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also known as 4Ps.

"Ang rationale nito, ito ay sinadyang pantawid. Ibig sabihin kinakilangang makatawid. Hindi pwedeng mananatili na umaasa lang sa 4Ps," he said.

He added that after two or three years, there should be jobs given to the beneficiaries.

Juan Ponce Enrile wants discourse on federalism

At 95 Juan Ponce Enrile is the oldest senatorial candidate. He had already served as a senator for a total of 24 years.

Enrile was the Defense Minister from 1970 to 1986 under strongman Ferdinand Marcos. His ambush was one of the reasons Marcos declared Martial Law. But Enrile says that the ambush was staged, he does not know who by, and that it wasn't the reason why Marcos proclaimed Martial Law.

In July 2014, Enrile was arrested for plunder in cconnection with the pork barrel scam. But in August 18, 2015 he was granted bail due to his health condition.

Now, Enrile is running for Senator again, because he says he wants to be part of the discourse on federalism.

"I never intended to participate in the elections, until I studied yung proposal na federalism, yung proposed constitution na ginawa nila Justice Renato Puno," he said.

"Gusto kong dalin sa Senado yun. Kung saka-sakali na paguusapan ay gusto kong sumali sa usapan," he added.

Emily Mallillin wants to market local products

Emily Mallillin has wanted to serve the country since she was a child.

She came from a broken family in Aurora and grew up alone, putting herself through school and working odd jobs: she became a seamstress, a waitress, and even a DJ in a local radio. She now owns a store that sells pancit and bulalo.

She was not able to go to college, but believes that this won't affect her candidacy, because she can read and understand English, and more importantly, she knows where the country's "sickness" is.

Mallillin wants to lower the price of products in the market by properly marketing the local products of each region.

"Sana mayroon yung eksaktong lalagyan, may sisidlan, para hindi nasisira, nang sa ganoon ang bilihin natin ay medyo magmura, kahit man lang pagkain," she said.

She also has a program for youth and women.

—NB, GMA News