Phillip Salvador defends Senate bid, says he wants to serve

Actor and senatorial candidate Philip “Ipe” Salvador addressed critics during a campaign event on Sunday, saying that his bid for public office is not about image, but service. 

"Nagawa ko na ang lahat bilang artista. Ito na lang hindi ko nagagawa—ang makapagbigay ng serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino [I've accomplished everything as an actor. This is the only thing I haven't done: serve the Filipino public],” he said. 

"This is my last hurrah.”

A social media post shared by a campus-based student council that has gone viral showed Salvador's qualifications and accomplishments, with commenters pointing out how bare the profile was and questioning whether Salvador is qualified to run for Senate under the PDP-Laban slate backed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Araw-araw akong binabash. Ano daw gagawin ko sa Senado?” he said during a speech at the PDP-Laban grand rally in Barangay Pinayahan, Quezon City. 

“Oo, hindi ako abogado. Pero may pastor ako!”

(I get bashed every day. They ask, what am I going to do in the Senate? I may not be a lawyer, but I have a pastor.)

 He was referring to controversial religious leader and fellow PDP-Laban candidate Apollo Quiboloy.

Salvador also noted that he is surrounded by competent individuals within the party. “May mga abogado ako, may doktor kami. [Yung iba] wala naman silang pastor,” he said, drawing laughs from the crowd.

(We have lawyers, we have doctors. The other groups don't have a pastor.)

Though known for his long-running acting career, Salvador insisted that his bid for public office is not a publicity stunt but the culmination of his desire to serve. 

He also voiced his frustration over misinformation and what he called efforts to discredit his candidacy. 

"Huwag tayong magpabudol. Ginagawa tayong mga tanga. Gusto niyo? Ayaw niyo? Pagtutulungan naming patunayan,” he told supporters.

Highlighting his platform, Salvador said he would push for stronger support for agriculture, local industries, and the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

“Kailangan maalagaan ang agrikultura. Kailangan maalagaan ang loob-looban na industriya natin para hindi na kailangang umalis ang mga mahal nating OFW.”

"Walang makakapigil sa akin ngayon. Ipinagdarasal ko na lang ang mga bashers. Ang importante, alam ko ang pinanggagalingan ng puso ko.”

(We have to take care of agriculture, of our internal industries so Filipinos don't have to go abroad. Nothing can stop me now. I'm just going to pray for the bashers. What's important is that I know where my heart is coming from.) — BM, GMA Integrated News

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