THE enlightenment, zeal. commitment, and sense of volunteerism of the Filipino people have turned the tide in favor of candidates Vice President Leni Robredo for President and and Senator Kiko Pangilinan for Vice President.
This growing and burning momentum has been manifested in successful jam-packed record breaking political rallies in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao powered by volunteers around the nation — a testament to the grassroots movement clamoring for change toward good and honest governance.
Kababayans have found renewed hope in the leadership by example of Leni and Kiko with their proven integrity, tried and tested honesty, transparency, accountability, faithfulness to the rule of law and the heart of true public servants even before they entered politics.
The rise of this grassroots support move in the same direction of the endorsements for Leni and Kiko by private citizens’ groups like doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, farmers, colleges and university leadership, scientists, etc. along with former government officials, retired military officers, priests of the Catholic Church and many nongovernment organizations.
Even the results of Google Trends, a website by Google that analyzes the popularity of top search queries across various regions and languages, has shown the momentum is on Leni and Kiko now, surpassing the supposed frontrunners Bongbong Marcos Sara Duterte Carpio if (questionable) surveys are to be the sources. Google Trends correctly predicted, based on the scores on search queries, that French President Emmanuel Macron would be re-elected.
The power of this movement has proven to be stronger than questionable surveys, fake news and disinformation peddled by their political opponents who only have their own political and personal interests driving them instead of true and genuine public service.
May 9, though, is the ONLY survey that will matter. But the success of the cause transforming our corruption-plagued government into a “gobyernong tapat” headed by Leni and Kiko does not end with a Leni and Kiko victory on election day. We need to elect Senators who also share the same integrity, commitment and faithfulness to the cause as the President and Vice President.
Senators do not only write and pass laws, they have other roles and responsibilities that are intended by the Constitution to help protect, defend and strengthen our democracy as one of the three co-equal branches of government, especially in its fulfillment of its obligation to provide checks and balances so that not one official nor institution will abuse its power — something that we are already seeing and have been witnessing in the systemic corruption in government.
Powers and responsibilities
Create bills, resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions
Debate measures in respective committees and during plenary sessions
Conduct inquiries in aid of legislation
Propose or concur with amendments in the appropriation of funds by the House of Representatives
Try and decide cases of impeachment
Declare the existence of a state of war (two-thirds vote along with the House, voting separately)
Authorize the president to exercise powers to carry out a declared national policy “for a limited period and subject to restrictions” in times of war or other national emergency
Revoke or extend the president’s proclamation of martial law
Concur with or reject amnesty by the president
Concur with or reject treaties or international agreements (two-thirds vote)
Propose amendments to the Constitution through a constituent assembly or constitutional convention
Make full disclosure of financial and business interests, and notify the chamber of possible conflicts of interest when filing legislation of which they are authors
(Rappler)
WITH these tremendous powers given to the Senate, we need Senators who will be part of the SOLUTION and NOT the problem.
We need to FIRE senators who have betrayed public and been convicted and implicated in crimes and transgressions against the country for corruption, plunder, violation of the rule of law, loyalty not to the people but to their party and selfish personal interests, etc.
We NEED to vote out candidates who have proven to violate the rule of transparency, accountability, delicadeza.
We need to VOTE out candidates who have been lying to us, deceiving us with disinformation and robbing us with the truth that we need to have to make informed and conscientious decisions.
We need to VOTE for candidates who have been faithfully and dutifully fighting for us and the greater good all their life, and not just during campaign season.
Therefore, I submit to you the following names to vote for on May 9 as our Honorable Senators:
Chel Diokno
Antonio Trillanes IV
Risa Hontiveros
Leila de Lima
Neri Colmenares
Teddy Baguilat Jr.
Alex Lacson
Sonny Matula
Luke Espiritu
Richard Gordon
Elmer Labog
Dr. Minguita Padilla
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at [email protected], or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos
