Harapan 2019: Senatorial bets oppose removal of term limits, federalism, death penalty
By Raymund Antonio
Senatorial candidates oppose the removal of politicians’ term limits in office, the shift to a federal form of government, and the re-imposition of the death penalty.
Three “Otso Diretso” senatorial candidates and former Pagsanjan, Laguna Mayor Abner Afuang shared their views on these issues during the “Fast Talk” segment of “Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate on Sunday, February 24.
Senatorial bets (L-R) Romy Macalintal, Ding Generoso, Gary Alejano, Agnes Escudero, Erina Tañada, Mar Roxas, Neri Colmenares, and Abner Afuang (Rio Deluvio / MANILA BULLETIN)
Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, ex-Quezon congressman Erin Tañada, and Afuang said they were not in favor of federalism.
Alejano: Hindi. Hindi pa tayo handa. Ang mayaman lalong yayaman, ang mahirap lalong hihirap. (No, we are not ready for federalism. The rich will become richer, the poor will become poorer.)
Tañada: Hindi ako pabor. Dahil hindi pa napag-uusapan husto ‘yung negative effects nito. (I’m not in favor. Because its negative effects have not been discussed thoroughly.)
Macalintal: Hindi ako pabor kasi hindi pa tayo handa sa ganyang uri ng gobyerno. (I’m not in favor because we are not yet ready for that kind of government.)
Afuang: Hindi. (No.)
Senatorial aspirant Ding Generoso, spokesman of President Duterte’s consultative commission (Con-Com), acknowledged this was the “stumbling block” for federalism.
Generoso said that in the draft federal charter proposed by the Con-Com, only two terms are allowed for politicians.
“Hindi. Dapat may term limits (No. There should be term limit),” Alejano, a former Marine captain, said when asked about the removal of politicians’ term limits in office.
The Senate bets attending the second debate were also asked where they stood on peace talks, legalizing the use of medical marijuana, and same sex marriage.
Leftist leader Neri Colmenares, Alejano, and Tañada agreed on the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.
Colmenares: Dapat ang pagkapayapaan, iginiit natin ‘yun. (We have to push for peace.)
Alejano: Sa akin, gusto ko ng kapayapaan. Dapat may peace talks tayo. (For me, I want peace. Let us have peace talks.)
Tañada: Kailangan muling buksan. Naniniwala ako sa kapayapaan. (It needs to be reopened. I believe on peace.)
On medical marijuana:
Alejano: Hindi. (No.)
Tañada: Pabor ako dahil iyan ay nagpapagaan sa epekto ng ibang sakit. (I’m in favor because it lessens the effects of other sckness.)
Agnes Escudero: No.
On same-sex marriage:
Alejano: Hindi. (No.)
Tañada: Hindi ako pabor dahil mas pabor ako sa civil union partnerships. (I’m not in favor because I’m in favor of civil union partnerships.)
Macalintal: Hindi dapat ‘yan pero ginagalang ko ang karapatan ng bawat isa. (That should not be allowed but I respect the rights of everyone.) #MatalinongBoto2019