By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Saying there “is still much to be done,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged voters to elect “experienced” and “bright” leaders who could help his administration realize its vision for the country and not create problems.
During the miting de avance of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas’ Senate slate in Mandaluyong City, Marcos touted his administration’s feats, including the recent launch of the PHP20-per-kilo rice program, saying these could be sustained if the coalition’s candidates win on May 12.
“Marami na tayong mahalaga na proyekto at programang nasimulan na, kaya nararamdaman na ng ating kababayan ang mas magandang patakbo ng ating pamahalaan (We have already started many important projects and programs, so our countrymen are already feeling the better performance of our government),” he said.
Marcos said the Alyansa bets deserve to secure seats in the Senate because of their knowledge in crafting laws to bring real change to the country.
He stressed that the ultimate goal of the administration’s senatorial bets is to offer solutions to pressing issues and not to create problems.
“Dito lang po makikita ang Alyansa na hindi nanggugulo. Ang nais nilang gawin pag-upo nila sa Senado ay hindi manggulo, hindi gagawa ng mga problema kundi maghahanap ng solusyon sa problema, magtrabaho ng tapat, at pag-aralan nang masinsinan kung ano pa ang dapat gawin para sa ating mga kababayan (This Alyansa will not cause trouble. What they’ll do in the Senate is not cause chaos, not create problems, but find solutions to problems, work honestly, and study thoroughly what needs to be done for our countrymen),” Marcos said.
The President expressed confidence that his administration and the Alyansa candidates shared goals to propel growth in the country, boost employment, strengthen the education and health sectors, and defend Philippine territory.
“Doon sa malalaking bagay na kailangang palitan ang sistema ng pamahalaan, kailangang palitan ang batas, kanino tayo tatakbo? Tatakbo tayo sa mga legislator, tatakbo po tayo sa mga senador natin (For the big issues that need to be changed, the laws that need to be amended, who will we run to? We will run to our legislators, to our senators),” Marcos said.
“Kaya po nais nating ipagpatuloy ang ating mga magandang magawa na ngunit alam naman po nating walang katapusan po ang trabahong serbisyo publiko (That is why we want to continue our good work, but we know that public service is never-ending).”
Marcos urged Filipino voters to elect leaders who will unite to achieve economic and social transformation under a “New Philippines.”
He told the electorate “not to think twice” choosing the Alyansa slate, saying it is the right thing to do in the forthcoming elections.
The coalition’s senatorial ticket includes former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos; Makati City Mayor Abby Binay; incumbent Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, and Francis Tolentino; former senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Vicente Sotto III; and House lawmakers Erwin Tulfo and Camille Villar. (PNA)
