Senatorial candidates tackle prices, jobs on campaign trail

Eleksyon 2025 senatorial candidates began the month of March by reaching out to more potential voters to explain their positions on issues and their plans should they be elected in May.

On Saturday, Francis ''Kiko'' Pangilinan called on the government to immediately grant toll exemptions for trucks transporting agricultural goods, warning that rising transportation costs will worsen the country's ongoing food crisis.

Pangilinan issued the appeal in response to the NLEX toll hike set to take effect on March 2, which will increase fees by P5 for open systems and P0.72 per kilometer for closed systems.

“Kapag tumaas ang toll, tataas ang gastos sa transportasyon. At kapag tumaas ang gastos sa transportasyon, sigurado, tataas din ang presyo ng pagkain sa palengke. Kailangang mabilis na kumilos ang gobyerno, lalo pa’t nahaharap ang bansa sa krisis sa pagkain at food security emergency,” he said.

(If the toll goes up, transportation costs rise. If transportation costs rise, food prices at the market will surely increase. The government must act swiftly, especially since we are facing a food security emergency.)

Pangilinan said that toll exemptions would provide direct relief to Filipino families by ensuring that essential food items like vegetables, fish, and rice remain affordable.

In a Facebook post, Bam Aquino said that they are conducting house-to-house visits to let people know that they have allies who will seek solutions for them.

“Makakaasa po kayo na mas sisipagan pa namin, susuyurin at liligawan pa natin ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.

(You can be assured that we will work even harder, reach out to every community, and win the support of our fellow Filipinos.)

Ariel Querubin met with residents of Daan Tubo, Quezon City, on March 1 to discuss concerns on jobs, cash aid, and healthcare for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

He stressed the need for sustainable livelihood programs.

“Importante kasi na mabigyan ng livelihood, dahil yung ayuda panandalian lang yan. Ang dapat na pinag-iisipan ng gobyerno, paano ba tayo makapagbigay ng isang disenteng trabaho,” he said.

(It is important to provide livelihood opportunities because financial aid is only temporary. The government should focus on finding ways to create decent jobs.)

Querubin also called for free annual medical checkups in government hospitals.

Gringo Honasan of Reform PH—People’s Party participated in an online interview where he discussed his platforms on securing access to basic necessities such as food and shelter.

In the interview, Honasan discussed his time in government and stated that his goals continue to be a “work-in-progress.”

“Nagsikap tayo na maiambag sa pamamagitan ng 17 taon na pagiging sundalo, 7 taon na pagiging rebelde sa labas ng sistema, tapos 21 taon ng pagiging senador… Sa gitna noong halos na half-a-century ng public service, marami paring trabaho na kailangan tapusin,” he said.

(We worked hard to contribute through 17 years of serving as a soldier, 7 years of being a rebel outside the system, and 21 years of being a senator... During almost half a century of public service, there are still more things we need to accomplish.)

“Ipinaglaban ko ang kapakanan [ng mga Pilipino], at tinaya ko yung aking buhay, pamilya, career at karangalan para paglingkuran ang pinakamataas na public and national interest. ‘Yun ay napapaloob sa aking record bilang public servant, kasama rin yung 7 taon ng pagiging rebelde,” he added.

(I fought for the benefit [of Filipinos] and risked my life, my family, my career, and my honor to serve the highest public and national interest. That is included in my record as a public servant, including the 7 years of being a rebel.)

In Darlene Cay's ''24 Oras Weekend'' report on Saturday, Senator Francis Tolentino advocated for the removal of VAT in electricity and internet bills, while Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar vowed to push for livelihood and employment opportunities.

On Friday, Ronnel Arambulo visited a union group in Zambales with Jerome Adonis. During the meeting, they said that workers should not settle for a small salary.

In Quezon City, Aileen Andamo, Arlene Brosas, and Mimi Doringo conducted house-to-house campaigning.

Andamo called for an increase in salary, while Brosas pushed for the removal of taxes on basic goods. Doringo, on the other hand, slammed the high prices of rice.

Amirah Lidasan pushed for services and rights for women, while Liza Masa batted for laws against abuse and loss of justice.

Benhur Abalos conducted a motorcade in Caloocan on Saturday.

Residents of Calamba, Laguna, took to the streets to welcome Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa, Phillip Salvador, and Atty. Jimmy Bondoc—all PDP Laban candidates.

Go shared his belief that sports will help children avoid vices.

In a separate interview, Go said that the decision on whether to remove Vice President Sara Duterte should be based on evidence and what was right.

However, he refused to comment further as senators were advised to remain impartial as they will serve as judges of the impeachment court.

“Antayin nalang natin kung ano ang desisyon ng leadership ni Senate President Chiz Escudero, but handa kami sa aming trabaho. Based on evidence naman yan. Kung walang ebidensya, edi wala. Kung walang ebidensya, dapat wala na,” he said.

(Let us just wait for the decision of the leadership of Senate President Chiz Escudero, but we are ready for our jobs. It is based on evidence, anyway. If there’s no evidence, then there’s nothing. If there’s no evidence, nothing should happen.)

In Iloilo City, ACT Teachers Representative France Castro reiterated the importance of connecting with the masses.

Luke Espiritu met with the senior citizen community leaders in Pasig City on Friday.

Senator Lito Lapid advocated for tourism and education in Taal, Batangas, while Manny Pacquiao campaigned for houses and land for Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Wilson Amad told GMA News Online that he would like to propose bills “that will contradict the greed of power and selfish interests of politicians should be voted by the people.”

Roberto Ballon endorsed a petition on Facebook in support of environmental organizations working to support Philippine ecosystems.

On Facebook, Atty. Angelo de Alban reiterated his campaign to support children with special needs.

“Unti-unti, sa tulong ng mga volunteers, lumalakas ang boses ng ating adhikain at plataporma—para sa kapakanan ng Children with Special Needs. Sama-sama, isulong natin si Atty. De Alban sa Senado,” he said in a post.

(Little by little, with the help of volunteers, the voice of our advocacy and platform is getting stronger—for the welfare of children with special needs. Together, let us put Atty. De Alban in the Senate.)

David D’Angelo continued to share his positions on relevant issues online.

In a post, he said that he believes the automated counting machines should not be connected to the internet during voting to ensure the integrity of poll results.

“I agree na kailangang idisconnect muna ang machine [that the machine should be disconnected] from the internet during voting so that access to it can be turned off and it can be isolated from hackers. The only problem here is how can the Comelec itself monitor the integrity of the voting machines when they have no access to it online, but then again, what if people from inside would be doing the hacking? ” he asked.

“The Comelec (Commission on Elections) should address the issue proactively and not silence the person because anyone who has knowledge of such a technique can do it. So what will the Comelec do?” he added.

D’Angelo also commented on responsible mining.

Jose Jessie Olivar said that he attended the 1st National Leadership Convention ng National Anti-Crime and Corruption Group, Inc. in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

“Ako’y nangako na magsisilbing tapat at makatarungang lider para sa mas maliwanag, mas ligtas, at mas makatarungang kinabukasan para sa ating mga kababayan. Ipagpatuloy natin ang laban para sa integridad, transparency, at pag-unlad!” he said in a Facebook post.

(I promise to serve as an honest and just leader for a brighter, safer, and more honorable tomorrow for our Filipinos. Let us continue our fight for integrity, transparency, and development!)

He also shared his thoughts on agricultural reform and related issues, such as logging. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

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