“What issue do you think the newly-elected senators should address first and why?

“They should revisit the FOI bill and pass it at the soonest possible time. It’s about transparency, accountability, and empowerment through information. Passing an FOI bill will allow not just the media, but ordinary citizens as well, to obtain information that those who have something to fear will want to keep secret. Access to information will also allow civil society groups to better navigate the government bureaucracy in pushing for reforms or specific policies that they think the country needs.”

Chay Hofileña, Lecturer, Communication Department

 “The issue of gender is what I think our senators—male and female—fail to address. I think the entire country will not progress if we are to marginalize half of the population. The government should empower all of the people there and it is incumbent upon them to cater to all individuals. They say that the Philippine society is more gender-equal, but again, what do we see… when it comes to job opportunities? Women are obviously marginalized. Even in the Reproductive Health bill, the choice of women is not a legitimate argument. It is unfair for our own government to not see that.”

Reena Gomez, II-BS CTM

“The discipline among countrymen. It’s not really a common subject, like education and health, for example, but it’s still something that needs to be addressed. By discipline I mean the proper enforcement of the law. Like they say, ‘It’s not that we don’t have rules, it’s just how we implement them.’ Spare the rod and spoil the child, but one who loves his children disciplines them.”

Kim Bay, II-MA POS

“Aside from the issue of Apeco, which most Ateneans are already familiar with, the issue of labor contractualization must be put into the priority of the Senate. This employment scheme has deprived the rights of the millions of Filipino workers by diminishing their control on their working environments and limiting their security in terms of tenure and privileges as workers.”

Ace M. Dela Cruz, III-AB POS-MPM

“I think our upcoming legislators should prioritize the security of Filipinos—security in terms of territory and security that is economic. The territorial rows with other countries have been frustrating a lot of our countrymen and some are even beginning to express alarm.”

Kevin Asio, IV-AB POS

 “‘Yung i-address nila, ‘yung ekonomiya natin, ‘yung babalik sa dati na medyo mababa ‘yung presyo ng mga bilihin. Siyempre, [para saan pa] papalakihan ‘yung sahod natin kung mahal pa rin ang mga bilihin? Wala pa rin; lugmo pa rin tayo sa kahirapan.”

Florlito Galvez, Security Guard, Faber Hall

“Education. The K to 12 issue is really controversial now, so I want to know if this is really the right solution to the education problem in our country.”

Cressa Zamora, IV-AB DS

“First and foremost, I think the senators should really address the issue of their accountability and transparency to the Filipino people, especially in terms of personal wealth. As public officials, they should most especially be abiding by the ‘tuwid na daan’ lifestyle President Aquino has set forward.”

Thomas Mañalac (IV-BS ME)

“I think that the senators should address our foreign affairs. There is an increase in conflicts with other countries. They should legislate laws that could help address problems with international conflicts [because] this could lead to an even worse disaster.”

Sid Acuyong (III-BS LM)

“I believe that the newly-elected senators should address the issue of low minimum wages. What is offered to minimum wage earners is not enough to support a family comfortably… The work that they do is far more valuable than what [they get in return]. I believe that increasing the minimum wage will be beneficial to the workers and to the entire country. It will improve the lives of our countrymen and increase the overall economic standing of the Philippines.”

Pamela Sales, (III-AB COM)

“Siguro ‘yung, [tungkol] sa politics, ‘yung pagpigil sa pangungurakot. Previously, may mga nare-record na pangungurakot. Siyempre bilang pagbabago sa mga bagong senador natin ngayon, sana mawala na ‘yan. [At] the same time, para ‘yung mga kinukurakot nila, instead na mapunta sa kanila, dito na lang sa ating bayan, para makatulong sa paglago ng ating industriya. (With regard to politics, putting a stop to corruption. Previously there were records of corruption. Of course, with the new senators, hopefully corruption goes away. At the same time, instead of the money they steal going to them, hopefully it goes to out country to help improve our industries).”

Security Officer Jojo Tolentino, Ground Commander, Zone 2 of Loyola Schools