Koko lauds Marcos ban on POGOs; asks him not to use climate change as scapegoat

While they do not “see eye-to-eye” on proposed solutions to the country’s current issues, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel on Monday commended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

During his Kontra-SONA speech, Pimentel said he was “disarmed” over the President’s decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), saying the President listened to the “overwhelming sentiment of the Filipino people”.

“I believe the President delivered his best SONA so far,” the lawmaker told the Plenary during Monday’s session.

“We may not be political allies, we may not see eye-to-eye in our proposed solutions to our country’s most pressing and serious problems, but that SONA delivered by the President convinced me of these things: that President Marcos loves his country and that he is trying his best,” he added.

Flood problem

Pimentel, in his speech, raised proposals to address the country’s pressing issues including the perennial flooding problem. He questioned the continued floods that inundated Metro Manila and other areas last week despite billions of funding allocated to flood control.

“Let us also not use ‘climate change’ as the scapegoat…What I instead propose is for us to look at the possibility of ‘character change’,” he said.

Under ‘character change’, Pimentel asked the public to observe proper trash disposal. He also urged politicians as well as contractors, suppliers and construction company owners to refrain from entering politics to avoid conflicts of interest.

“Yung investible funds ninyo ay pakilagay na lang sa manufacturing, because the history of the human race has proven that “manufacturing has the biggest impact on the direction of the economy because it is the main source of jobs, innovation, and increases in production,” he added.

The lawmaker also urged Marcos to direct the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and related agencies to “post online the names of the contractors of government flood control and management projects, as well as the location, amount, and status of these projects."

“We therefore need to revisit our country’s flood control and infrastructure program…And we need to review too the entire budget process where these are provided for,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Pimentel called for the review of the charter of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as he questioned proposals to transfer the dormant funds of the state insurer to social services and infrastructure projects.

“A review of PhilHealth’s charter is imperative, if not also a downright replacement of its leadership,” the lawmaker said.

He also called for dental health programs and projects covering more mental health-related conditions including neurological and developmental disorders.

“Essential medicines in the Philippines cost at least three times more than in other countries. Vaccine wastage exacerbates our problems by contributing to government financial losses and depleting other critical health resources,” he said.

“Mr. President, the inequities and challenges in our healthcare system demands immediate and focused action. The Senate Minority stands ready to help,” Pimentel added. 

Meanwhile, the legislator also mentioned issues that she said Marcos failed to address during the SONA such as problems on housing, traffic and the PUV Modernization Program, and the national debt.

“Ang utang natin ay dinadagdagan natin kada taon sa pamamagitan ng Budget Law kasi mas gusto natin gumastos ng mas malaking halaga kaysa sa kinikita natin,” said Pimentel.

(Our debt grows bigger every year thru the Budget Law because we prefer to spend larger amounts instead of based on how much we earn.)

With 110 million Filipinos, he said each person has at least P136,000 debt on a per head basis.

“Isa sa mga gastusing sumosobra na sa bigat/pasanin ay ang issue of military and uniformed personnel pension reform. Why was this not mentioned in the SONA?” said Pimentel.

“Is this administration following the kick-steps of previous administrations by kicking this particular can down the road for the future generations to decide?” he asked.

Pimentel added: “Sayang Mr. President as I believe that you still have the political capital to be able to swing this and actually solve it”.

The senator congratulated the administration for the peace in the Bangsamoro Region, the decrease in crime rate and independence of the judiciary, as well as the “vigilance and excellent handling of tensions and other challenges” in the West Philippine Sea.

He also said the Senate Minority is ready to coordinate for the passage of several priority legislations such as the proposed Maritime Zones Law, the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Law, and the Law Granting Legal Personality and Capacity to the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund.

“Ang Senate Minority ay handang magsakripisyo at gampanan ang kanilang trabaho para sa isang makatarungan, patas, at progresibong Republika ng Pilipinas,” the senator assured.—RF, GMA Integrated News