Bongbong Marcos, the unrepentant son of the dictator, was never in the running for my vote. Nor was failed mutineer Antonio Trillanes ever considered. Nor Honasan.
Cayetano’s a competent lawmaker. And bless him for going hammer and tongs at Marcos. But his bigotry was in full display during the Mamasapano hearings and BBL-related events. I’ve seen up close and personal the results of such bigotry. For that reason, I’ve never considered Cayetano.
For some time, it has been a toss-up between Sen. Chiz Escudero and Rep. Leni Robredo.
Before delving into the pros and cons of both candidates, here are some issues and points that influenced my decision. These are mine; I am well aware others have theirs and have no intention of forcing these on anyone.
- You are not your father or your spouse, whether they be demons or saints. (Had Bongbong showed repentance, had he cooperated with the country’s search for justice, he would not be the candidate I most revile.)
- Human rights are non-negotiable. So is a justice system that gives the poor a fair shake.
- Corruption is evil. Working for transparency and systemic changes that make it harder for the corrupt to operate earn big points.
- My socio-economic views have always leaned to the left, for inclusive governance that goes beyond dole-outs.
- #ScrapPork
- I have never voted based on gender. What one does for gender equality is more important.
- “Experience” is over-rated. What one has done is what matters.
Leni Robredo
Leni is competent. An economics degree the University of the Philippines (UP) and law from the University of Nueva Caceres. She is a member of Saligan, a national alternative lawyers’ group helping farmers. She is a lawyer for the poor. And, yes, her lifestyle is simple.
What has she done in her single term in Congress? I’ll quote Yoly Ong’s article in Rappler:
“Leni has pushed for the bills that benefit not only her constituents but the entire country such as the charter extension of the Philippine National Railway. She filed for the Full Disclosure Bill that will require all elected officials and government agencies to fully disclose any transactions, documents, and budgets of public interest. She is a champion for the Freedom of Information bill (FOI).”
Leni also backed President Aquino’s Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL.) I will give her full credit for taking on Marcos. She supports reforming the law on annulment. (No contender for the top two posts has come out for divorce.) She’s an opponent of the death penalty.
The FOI bill DIED in the House of Representatives. There were champions, yes. I think they tiptoed too much around Mr. Aquino’s aversion to FOI – even when they had accommodated Malacanang’s numerous suggestions. The timidity helped kill the FOI. The unwillingness to confront stalling House leaders helped ensure the bill would lie there and die there.
“Support for the BBL” is a phrase that doesn’t impress me. I followed proceedings. The BBL was WATERED DOWN by Mr. Aquino’s allies, Robredo among them. What it looked like after they got through with it was something the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vowed to reject.
I won’t invoke the sainted Jesse’s fight against illegal gambling. But Leni praising the governor of Pampanga (the wife of one of the country’s biggest alleged illegal gambling lords) puts into question her commitment to fight corruption.
To invoke good governance as a reason for getting cozy with Mrs. Pineda (who represented her husband in Senate probes) totally flies before known facts:
1) Pineda was a name that surfaced during the Estrada impeachment trial – those sacks of money delivered to San Juan;
2) A falling out over the spoils of jueteng made the family embrace Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo;
3) Coming out bigger post EDSA 2, Pineda’s name once more during accounts of electoral fraud by the former President; he was allegedly among those who underwrote fraud.
Leni may spout anti-corruption lines. She may from time to time seem independent from this administration. But she sure hasn’t shown that independence when it comes to the heavy-handed use of government services – paid for by taxpayers – for her campaign.
Chiz Escudero
My problems with Chiz:
He’s too soft on President Aquino; they are good friends.
He justified the Iglesia ni Cristo’s shameless, extra-legal pressure to block a legitimate criminal case.
He did not come after Bongbong Marcos.
He did not banish that rapist Jalosjos from the slate’s campaign sorties. (A pardon does not change my mind about Jalosjos.)
He’s hasn’t given up on the idea of pork. (Robredo has her own DAP problems.)
He is a critic of the BBL.
Problems other people cite that I don’t buy:
Noy-Bi: Chiz was never LP; he owed Mar no allegiance. The President’s own sisters were Noy-Bi and so was the man he appointed executive secretary. There could have been no Noy-Bi without the Noy. (Don’t say, ‘didn’t he know Binay was corrupt?’ I’ll point you to PNOY and family.)
Alleged closeness to Danding — The old man is not fond of Chiz, whom he considers defiant and rebellious.
Blocking the coco levy bill — DHe’s not the only one who has serious concerns about HOW that particular bill aims to give justice to coco farmers.
Corruption — What? Where? When? How? There have never been clear facts on that. And that Napoles claim fizzled out fast.
So, yeah, never expect fire and brimstone from Escudero. He has never pretended to be an “alternative” politician. If you call him “trapo,” he’ll probably smile and and give you that silly wave.
Where it counts, however, Chiz DELIVERED on my priority issues.
He will not bash Marcos. But he was the main author in the Senate of RA 10368 – the reparation and recognition of victims of human rights violations during the Marcos regime; RA 10353 – defining and penalizing enforced or involuntary disappearance; and RA 9745 – penalizing torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.
Aside from laws that added many courtrooms nationwide, he authored laws that seek systemic reforms in the justice system, reforms that better the odds for those without money or ‘connections’:
RA 10389 – institutionalizing recognizance as a mode of granting the release of an indigent person in custody as an accused in a criminal case;
RA 10158 – decriminalizing vagrancy;
RA 10071 – strengthening and rationalizing the National Prosecution Service (increasing salaries of public attorneys, among other changes);
RA 9999 – providing a mechanism for Free Legal Assistance;
RA 9995 – defining and penalizing the crime of photo and video voyeurism (critical in this digital age);
RA 9946 – granting additional retirement, survivorship and other benefits to members of the judiciary
We all know how PAGASA has improved. Escudero authored RA 10692, which allowed for the modernization of the weather service. He also authored
RA 10625 – reorganizing and strengthening the Philippine Statistical System; and RA 9470 – strengthening the system of management and administration of archival records, stabling the National Archives of the Philippines. (Very important, if not really sexy laws.)
For anybody who wonders how safe are the funds we park in banks, Escudero authored RA 9576 – increasing the maximum deposit insurance coverage, strengthening regulatory and administration authority and financial capability of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.
Transparency? Chiz is among the rare politicians with their pork allotments out there for public review. He has submitted a genuine waiver with his Statement on Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth since 2013. It’s the real thing. He just doesn’t do a big song and dance.
Among his pending bills are :
SB NO. 16 – requiring public officials and employees to submit written permission or waiver in favor of the ombudsman to look into ALL DEPOSITS OF WHATEVER NATURE WITH BANKS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE PH, including investment bonds issued by PH govt; and
SB NO. 18 – the Senate version of the FOI — implementing the right of the people to information on matters of public concern … and the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest. (Full disclosure in there; Chiz was main author; Poe it’s champion. The Senate passed it.)
My anti-Epal side likes SB NO. 17 – declaring as unlawful the naming of govt projects after govt officials and other persons whose name or identity may be associated with said officials.
SB NO. 118 – an act penalizing influence peddling; and SB NO. 425 – an act providing for protection, security and benefits of whistle-blowers should matter a lot to those hoping for a less corrupt country.
As a journalist, I appreciate SB NO. 127 – an act decriminalizing libel.
SB NO. 445 – amending the law on prostitution by imposing penalties on its perpetrators, and protective measures and support services for its victims – would end the current hypocrisy that penalizes sex workers while letting their users go free.
On consumers’ rights: SB NO. 123 – an act increasing the penalty for criminal negligence committed by common carriers
On OFW welfare: SB NO. 432 – penalizing the imposition of excessive placement fees against overseas Filipino workers
SB NO. 441 – magna carta of workers in the informal sector – tries to narrow the cracks in the economic system.
And, of course, it counts that he voted for the Senate version Neri Colmenares’ SSS pension increase bill.
I only have one vote and that goes to support real, tangible issues that matter. What’s been done matters.
Escudero gets my vote. It doesn’t scare me that many Filipinos are waltzing with a dictator’s son. And the argument that my vote will help him win doesn’t impress – because this administration’s record has made a mockery of the word ‘democracy.’
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