Pacquiao's Senate bets vow more in law for poor, resources for communities

Senatorial candidates allied with presidential bet Senator Manny Pacquiao promised a more equitable application of the country's laws, resources for communities, and funds to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking in General Santos City at the launch of the Pacquiao campaign, broadcaster and senatorial aspirant Raffy Tulfo said that he helped victims of abuse and injustice through his shows on TV, radio, and in the social media.

“Dapat patas ang batas. Sabi nga, who has less in life should have more in law,” Tulfo said.

[The law must be fair. As they said, who has less in life should have more in law.]

Tulfo said he would continue his mission should he win a Senate seat.

In a pre-recorded video, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda said that she would push for the amendment of the Public Employment Service Office or PESO Law so its services would reach the barangay level.

"Patuloy nating palakasin ang ating barangay hindi lamang sa pakikipaglaban sa pandemiya at mga sakuna," Legarda said.

"Nais nating maging malakas, maging aktibo ang mga barangay sa pagbibigay ng social services, sa pagbibigay na rin ng trabaho lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng pandemiya,” she added.

[We will continue to strengthen our barangays not only in fighting the pandemic and disasters. We want the barangays to be strong, to be active in providing social services, and in providing employment especially now during the pandemic.]

Legarda vowed to push for laws that would institutionalize livelihood programs such as the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD program, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facilities, and the  Department of Social Welfare and Development's Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri in another pre-recorded video vowed to pass the third round of appropriations under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act to open more jobs and help businesses recover amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi natin papabayaan ang kalusugan. Magdadagdag tayo ng mga specialty hospitals tulad ng Kidney Center, Cancer Center, at Children’s Hospital sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa para mas mabilis mapuntahan ng ating kapwa Pilipino at hindi na nila kailangan lumuwas ng Maynila,” Zubiri said.

[We will not neglect health. We will add specialty hospitals such as the Kidney Center, Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital in various parts of the country so that Filipinos can go to them faster and they no longer have to leave Manila.]

Aside from Tulfo, Legarda, and Zubiri, other senatorial aspirants in the Pacquiao who called for unity under Pacquiao’s candidacy were former Vice President Jejomar Binay, Governor Chiz Escudero, former Senator JV Ejercito, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Miguel Zubiri, Senator Win Gatchalian, Senator Richard Gordon, ex-Eastern Samar governor Lutgardo Barbo

“Hindi tayo mauubusan ng magagandang salita para kilalanin ang kabutihan ng puso ng isang Manny Pacquiao. Higit sa lahat, ang kanyang pagkamaka-Diyos ang hinahangaan natin dahil ito ang isa sa matibay na pamantayan para sa isang lider,” Villanueva said.

[We will never run out of good words to acknowledge the goodness of Manny Pacquiao’s heart. Above all, his divinity is what we admire because it is one of the strongest standards for being a leader.]

According to Pacquiao’s camp, around 25,000 people attended his proclamation rally in the Oval Stadium in General Santos City.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pacquiao kicked off his proclamation activities with a motorcade which was joined by around 580 vehicles with supporters coming from Sarangani, Maguindanao, and South Cotabato. —NB, GMA News