Senatorial candidates propose measures to improve women's welfare

Senatorial candidates on Saturday presented their plans to improve the welfare of Filipino women.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go stated on the occasion of International Women's Day that he continues to be committed to improving the nation's healthcare system, aiding livelihood and education initiatives, and improving the lives of underprivileged Filipinos.

According to him, society is indebted to women for their love and care.

Liza Maza said the country needs more women leaders ''with a proven track record of standing for the workers, farmers, urban poor, and other oppressed and exploited social sectors.''

''Kailangan natin ng mas maraming lider-kababaihan na ipaglalaban ang mga karapatan ng ordinaryong tao at hindi ang pansariling interes ng kanilang pamilya o negosyo," she said.

(We need more women leaders who will fight for the rights of ordinary people and not the personal interests of their families or businesses.)

Maza also said the Makabayan slate will also push for decent and affordable housing, which remains a challenge eight years after members of an urban poor organization occupied several idle housing units in Pandi, Bulacan.

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas said she will push for the women's agenda, including a decrease in the prices of commodities, a wage hike, and the abolition of VAT in food and excise tax in oil.

"Ang laban at pakikibaka para sa kalayaan ay hindi matatapos sa usapin ng kasarian, at napakamahalaga ng kababaihan sa ating laban para sa isang makatarungang lipunan dahil ang manggagawang kababaihan ay nag-aambag ng pinakamalaking porsyento sa pag-unlad ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa, at ng ekonomiya ng buong daigdig," said fellow Makabayan bet Jerome Adonis.

(The fight and struggle for freedom will not end with the discussion on gender, and women are very important in our fight for a just society because working women contribute the largest percentage to the economic development of our country and the global economy.)

"Ang sabi, 'Women hold up half the sky,' pero gusto ko idagdag na ang mga kababaihan ay may kapangyarihan mamuno at dalhin tayo sa ating mga inaasam para sa lipunan," added former Bayan Muna congressman Teddy Casiño.

(It is said, "Women hold up half the sky," but I would like to add that women have the power to lead and help society achieve its goals.)

Some candidates discussed other issues.

Ariel Querubin urged voters to reject vote selling and support clean elections during his speech before 1,000 members of the Guardians at the UGB Party-list Proclamation Assembly on Saturday.

Querubin, a retired Marine officer and Medal of Valor awardee, signed a memorandum of agreement with the Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan to promote good governance and combat election-related corruption.

“Bumoto kayo sa kung ayon sa konsensya ninyo. 'Yan ang pinakaimportante. Huwag na huwag nating ipapalit yung boto natin sa pera,” Querubin said.

(Vote based on your conscience. That's the most important. Never exchange your vote for money.)

PDP-Laban candidate Atty. Jayvee Hinlo refuted allegations that former President Rodrigo Duterte, who pursued better relations with China during his term, is a puppet of Beijing.

“He is neither pro-U.S. nor pro-China. Si FPRRD ay pro-Filipino (former President Duterte is pro-Filipino). He has personally told me that he does not want the Philippines to become a battleground of the superpowers,” Hinlo said.

Hinlo also vowed that if elected in May, he would do ''everything within the power of a senator to free all detainees of Congress from their continuous detention as a result of the detainees' invocation of their constitutional right against self-incrimination.''

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Friday paid his last respects to the two Philippine Air Force officers who perished in the FA-50 fighter jet crash in Bukidnon earlier this week.

Dela Rosa visited the wake of Major Jude Salang-Oy and First Lieutenant April John Dadulla, offering condolences to their grieving families.

A staunch advocate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, Dela Rosa reiterated his support for increased funding to enhance military capabilities, including acquiring aviation-engineering equipment, additional aircraft, joint tactical combat vehicles, and radar-basing support systems.

Atty. Jimmy Bondoc urged the public not to be misled by economic figures that do not necessarily translate to relief for ordinary Filipinos.

"Mga kababayan, wag po tayo magpaloko sa pagbaba ng 'inflation rates.' Kumbaga sa debate, that is a 'red herring' argument," he wrote on Facebook.

(My countrymen, please do not be fooled by the drop in the inflation rate. In a debate, that is a red herring argument.)

Bondoc explained that a lower inflation rate does not equate to lower prices. He said that even if inflation slows down, goods and services can remain expensive.

He argued that strengthening industries, particularly agriculture, would have a more direct impact on lowering prices.

Bondoc advocates for policies that enhance local food production to achieve self-sufficiency and affordability.

Former interior secretary Benhur Abalos said he is pushing for wider crop insurance, direct assistance, and programs that strengthen food security for farmers to achieve a strong and sustainable agriculture in the country.

Dr. Richard Mata recently went live on Facebook to discuss his motivations for entering politics and his advocacy for free healthcare.

Mata also mentioned the need to increase PhilHealth funds instead of cutting them and called for more support for individuals with autism and ADHD.

Aside from healthcare, Mata expressed his concern about online gambling, citing its negative impact on families and young individuals.

He proposed stronger regulations or even a total ban on online gambling. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

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