Whom should you vote? Consider my list
The long wait is over. The people of the Philippines have to choose once more their leaders. May 13 is a significant day. It is when we exercise the essence of People's Power. After this day, I am hoping this country would have a pure and perfect combination to rule the pearl of the orient.
Yes, I only have eight senators to endorse. I believe the warhead of these magic 8 can turn the sinking ship to its normal state. They can already move mountains towards the betterment of this country. I have 4 just to complete the 12 candidates but I am not sure of them.
Here are the senatorial candidates that I recommend and whom I believe can make difference for the next few years. Let us not forget, our vote is our voice.
My senators.
1. Teddy Casino
- is a party-list representative of Bayan Muna. He is currently serving his third term.
He is the chairperson of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Born on Nov. 15, 1968, Casiño finished his elementary education at the De La Salle University (DLSU) and finished high school at La Salle Green Hills. He finished college at the University of the Philippines Los Baños with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. In 2002, he was accorded the UPLB Distinguished Alumni Award for Extension.
Casiño is a former president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and was a member of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. He was appointed commissioner of the EDSA People Power Commission but was removed for constantly criticizing the administration.
He also had a short stint as a reporter in ABS-CBN’s Hoy Gising and The Correspondents.
Casiño first joined the House of Representatives in 2004 as representative of party-list group Bayan Muna. His party again won party-list representation in 2007 and 2010.
Casiño is the principal author of 4 laws including The Public Attorneys Act of 2007, The Tax Relief Act of 2009, The Rent Control Act of 2009, and The Anti-Torture Act of 2009.
2. Edward Hagedorn
A surprise addition to the senatorial race, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Solon Hagedorn has been a public servant for over 20 years. Hagedorn first served as Puerto Princesa mayor from June 1992
Hagedorn was born on October 12, 1946 in Paranaque, Rizal. His parents were Mr. Alexander Hagedorn and the former Miss Gliceria Solon. He is married to Ma. Elena Marcelo, and blessed with two children Eva Christie and Elroy John. He studied in San Sebastian College-Recoletos and University of the East in Manila.
Hagedorn served as mayor of Puerto Princesa City in 1992 and at the same time served as Representative of League of Cities of the Philippines, Region IV; Member of National Executive Board of Boy Scout of the Philippines; and Assemblyman of Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development.
He is credited with transforming the city as a major eco-tourism destination and model in environment protection. Puerto Princesa is a Hall of Fame Awardee for being the cleanest and greenest component city in the Philippines and has been given national and international awards and recognition for various innovative programs.
Hagedorn was supposed to end his third and final term on June 30, 2001. He ran for governor of Palawan that year but lost in the election.
However, the Supreme Court made a landmark decision to allow him a fresh term as mayor after winning in a special election called by majority of barangay Officials on September 24, 2002.
Hagedorn was the subject of a biopic titled "Hagedorn" played by the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. in 1995. Hagedorn was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as anti-jueteng czar in 2005.
3.Risa Hontiveros
Risa was only 15 years old when her sense of student activism pushed her to criticize the operation of Bataan Nuclear Plant.
While still an undergraduate student in Ateneo de Manila University, Risa led various groups advocating peace from 1988 before working as a broadcast journalist.
The Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas eventually recognized Risa, the older sister of veteran news anchor Pia Hontiveros, as Best Female Newscaster in 1994.
Risa also served as chairman of the government panel for peace talks with the National Democratic Front from 1998 to 1999.
This earned her a nomination at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize six years later while still continuing to be active in campaigns advocating women’s right, and good governance.
In 2004, Risa secured a seat in the House of Representatives as the third nominee of Akbayan party-list group, which held countless gimmicks exposing corrupt practices during Arroyo administration.
She became a single parent after her husband, Frank Baraquel, suffered a severe asthma attack in 2005 and left her with four kids.
The staunch critic of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband easily won her reelection in 2007 mid-term elections.
As a congresswoman, she filed bills on Cheaper Medicines Law and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law
She also filed legislations against prostitution, gender balance, as well as Students' Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill before losing her senatorial bid in the 2010 presidential elections.
If she were not in politics, Risa would probably pursue a career in theater. As a talented singer, she once played as one of the Von Trapp children in the Repertory Philipines production of the Sound of Music with Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson, and Raymond Lauchengco.
4. Chiz Escudero
From 1984, Chiz helped organize the congressional bids of late Sorsogon Rep. Salvador “Sonny” Escudero that helped him realize he wanted to enter politics at the age of 22.
His family did not allow him to run for municipal councilor and mayor until he finished law at the University of the Philippines.
Chiz waited to pass the Philippine Bar Examinations in 1994 and obtain a Masters degree in International and Comparative Law abroad in 1996 before finally running for Congress in 1998.
He served various positions as a congressman, became campaign spokesperson for Fernando Poe Jr., and was one of the few who favored the impeachment of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In 2005, he voted against the dropping of impeachment complaints against Arroyo, maintaining his position in 2006 that paved the way for his election to the Senate in 2007.
The roles he played in the House of Representatives like House minority leader earned awards like becoming one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines.
As senator, he heads the Senate Committees on Justice and Human Rights, Joint Oversight Committees on Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Clean Air Act, and Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Chiz was the only Filipino named as Asia News Network's Asia's Idols in 2007 and was honored by the prestigious World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader in 2008.
He has also authored or sponsored 149 Senate bills, 63 of which have been signed into law including the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act, Anti-Torture Act, and Free Legal Assistance Act.
Escudero also said he has acted upon all 645 bills referred to his committees, and that his Priority Development Assistance Fund has been used to assit regional hospitals and construct public markets all over the country.
5. Peter Cayetano
Seeing how his father – the late Senator Renato Cayetano – work with people in the district of Taguig, Pateros, and Muntinlupa inspired him to study political science and law.
His experience as a councilor in the University of the Philippines’ student council helped prepare Cayetano to choose a career in public service. He then went on to be a councilor in Taguig at 22.
But Cayetano’s early achievements eventually earned him detractors, who derail his proclamation as vice mayor in Taguig until only 10 days before his three-term in office was due to end.
His short tenure as Taguig vice mayor in 1998 then convinced Cayetano to run for Congress, where he served for two terms.
A minority member, Cayetano was among the prominent congressmen who exposed various scams, standing up against First Gentleman Mike Arroyo during the Arroyo government from 2001.
His advocacy against corruption helped him to win a seat in the Senate in 2007.
It was under his chairmanship that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee looked into the anomalous deals on NBN-ZTE, Fertilizer Funds, and cash giving in Malcanang against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
He also chaired the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, which helped pass the University of the Philippines Charter Act of 2008.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, he managed to pass the Freedom of Information bill in the Senate during the 14th Congress.
Continuing his commitment on transparency and accountability, Cayetano managed to file at least 14 bills like proposals to amend questionable provisions on the Anti-Cybercrime Act among others.
When the youngest minority leader in the history of Senate is not thinking about politics, Cayetano takes time to fill his room with collectibles of his favourite basketball players - Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
6. Bam Aquino
A registered voter of Barangay San Jose in Concepcion, Tarlac, Aquino filed his Certificate of Candidacy for senator on October 5, 2012.
Aquino said several people urged him to run for the Senate including Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto.
If elected, Aquino said he will concentrate on finding employment opportunities for fresh graduates and help alleviate poverty.
The 35-year old is a first cousin of President Benigno Aquino III. He is the son of Ninoy Aquino’s youngest brother Paul and his wife Melanie.
Last year, Bam married his girlfriend Mary Fatima “Timi” Gomez in Tagaytay.
The aspiring public servant was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men in the Philippines in 2012.
Aquino graduated summa cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1999 with a degree in Management Engineering.
Bam--named after the character “Bambam” in the cartoon series Flintstones--graduated valedictorian in grade school and in high school at the Ateneo de Manila.
At 25, Aquino became the chairman of the National Youth Commission, the youngest person ever to head a national government agency.
In 2006, after his stint with government, Bam established a program that helps female micro-entrepreneurs get better incomes for their families. This is what is now known as the Hapinoy Program.
7. Koko Pimentel
His advocacies did not stop him from graduating with honors from Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines before topping the Philippine Bar Examinations in 1990.
The younger Pimentel also became a professional lecturer in De La Salle Professional Schools, University of the East, and Far Eastern University until 1994.
These got recognition from President Fidel V. Ramos, who appointed him to represent Mindanao to the National Youth Commission from 1995 to 1998.
While working as a lawyer, he also co-anchored several radio programs before deciding to join the senatorial race in the 2007 mid-term elections.
Pimentel suffered a defeat from then Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who managed to secure the 12th slot with a narrow margin of 18,000 votes in a recount held in July 2007.
Complaining he was cheated in Maguindanao, Pimentel went to question Zubiri’s proclamation before the Supreme Court that eventually dismissed his petitions.
After four years of protest, Pimentel won the recount in the Senate Electoral Tribunal, which forced Zubiri to step down and made him as the 12th legitimate senator in August 2011.
Pimentel then assumed to chair the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation as well as the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Suffrage.
He has established the Kontra Pandaraya Movement to ensure that every Filipino will be protected from all forms of cheating and corruption.
He has also advocated strongly for local autonomy, environment, Overseas Filipino Workers, youth and justice in his 1 year and 5 months of sitting as senator.
8. Sonny Trillanes
Known to many as Sonny, he was a keen student who commutes to and from Sienna College in Quezon CIty from 1975 to 1983, and Angelicum School from 1983 to 1987.
After graduating with honors in college, Sonny became a household name in the country for facing charges in both military and civilian courts for the rebellions he participated like Manila Peninsula siege in 2007.
But that did not stop the former Navy officer to become the first person to be elected to Senate while launching a campaign behind bars.
In 2009, Sonny was criticized for allegedly being “the biggest spending member of the Senate” with claims that he spent P8.1 million during his first six month in office.
After years in detention, the neophyte senator got his freedom back after receiving an amnesty from President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in 2010.
During his first term, Sonny ranked fourth in the list of most productive senator in terms of the number of bills and resolutions filed in the Senate.
He filed a total of 729 bills and resolutions, 29 of which have been passed into law like the Archipelagic Baselines Law, and the new Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act among others.
Sonny, who co-authored the Cheaper Medicines Act and Philippine National Police Education and Promotions Act, promises to continue his efforts in education and healthcare reforms in the Senate.
He also vows to prioritize the legislation of more anti-corruption and anti-poverty measures as well as laws that will improve peace and order in the country.
Sonny takes a break from his work in the Senate by playing tennis, basketball with his friends or taking his family out to dine in Filipino restaurants or watch movies.
These 8 picks, for me, can drive the ship already in promulgating laws for the general welfare of the filipino community.
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