SEVEN SENATORIABLES laid out their platforms and stances on pressing national issues on the second leg of Cable News Network (CNN) Philippines’ #TheFilipinoVotes: Senatorial Forum at the Hyundai Hall in Areté on January 27.
Present were former Department of Interior and Local Government secretaries Rafael Alunan III and Mar Roxas, former congressmen Neri Colmenares and Erin Tañada, former Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) member Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, and former Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who recently withdrew his senatorial bid due to medical issues.
The candidates expressed their positions on several issues in the “yes or no” portion of the forum, where Alunan was the only candidate who voted yes for imposing the death penalty for drug-related crimes. All candidates approved of legalizing marijuana for cancer and chronic pain, as well as divorce on grounds of abuse and irreconcilable differences.
For the release of public servants’ medical records, Roque and Alunan both voted no. They gave the same answers when asked if Filipino media practitioners were under threat.
Moreover, the historical ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) was also tackled in the forum. All except Colmenares agreed that the BOL will result to lasting peace in Mindanao.
The audience, social media users, and other concerned institutions also voiced out their questions regarding violence and criminality, martial law, federalism, global affairs, and the economy. The candidates were given one and a half minutes to address these concerns.
The event concluded with the candidates’ reiteration of platforms and priority legislations. Tañada, Roxas, and Colmenares highlighted their aims for the economy such as fine-tuning the Tax Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law and rallying for a nationwide minimum wage board. Gutoc focused on her advocacy for peace education, while Alunan ventured into reforms on education, security, and protection. Hilbay and Roque maintained their support for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Zero Hunger Bill, respectively.
