Gatchalian favors ROTC revival amid PHL-China row

Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian on Tuesday said he is in favor of reviving the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) as a pre-requesite for  graduation for male college students.

"Unang-una it teaches discipline and nationalism, pagmamahal sa bayan," Gatchalian said in an interview by Howie Severino on News To Go as part of its "Oplan e-Leksyon: the Senatorial Interview Series."

He said the ROTC, which at present is optional, is an effective way of inculcating patriotism and nationalism among the youth and provide the government with a ready set of volunteers in the face of the country' territorial dispute with China.

"Dapat lahat tayo aware na puwedeng mangyari na lusubin tayo o ano pa man. Dapat meron din tayong ready core kung kailangan nating depensahan ang ating sarili," he said.

Gatchalian, a former Valenzuela City mayor, said the training would also equip male students with the necessary know-how in disaster response.

"'Yun ay kailangan natin ngayon sa panahon ngayon, lalung-lalo na ang Philippines ay Number 4 in terms of natural calamities and natural disasters," the 42-year-old lawmaker said.

As a mayor, Gatchalian said Valenzuela's education program is one of his biggest achievement, adding under his term the city established a special education center and two universities, one of which a polytechnic university.

Around 16,000 students are enrolled in the universities, he said.

Gatchalian was elected as mayor of Valenzuela City thrice, and a congressman twice. He is now running for senator in the May elections.

In the interview, Gatchalian said he did not establish the education program to earn supporter but to provide education to people from different social classes and levels.

"Ako naniniwala na para tumibay ang sistema ng edukasyon sa isang lokalidad, importante na 'yung local government ang gumagawa ng paraan," he said.

"There was one point, half of our local revenues go to education," Gatchalian added.

The revenue was not dedicated solely to scholarships but also to building schools and implementing programs, he explained.

Gatchalian also mentioned that he was not in favor of same-sex marriage, but he is also against discrimination. "Personally di ako pabor dahil ako ay lumaki sa Christian family at yun ang aking paniniwala," he said.

The legality of same-sex marriage in the Philippines became an issue after Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, a devout Christian, compared homosexuals to animals. —Jessica Bartolome/KBK, GMA News