First Nominee of Magdalo para sa Pilipino Partylist, Rep. Gary Alejano is aiming to bring his advocacy for national defense, good governance, and anti-corruption reforms back into Congress.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Tuesday, Alejano reiterated the legislative priority of Magdalo which has roots in the military and its commitment to national defense.
“’Yan pa rin ang aming unang tutukan na legislative agenda, ang national defense and security. Kung saan sumusulong tayo ng reporma sa security sector,” Alejano said, referring to the ongoing need to strengthen the country’s military modernization and reserve force.
The former Marine captain and known figure in the Oakwood mutiny also highlighted the importance of professionalizing recruitment and internal affairs within the uniformed services and reviving discussions on mandatory ROTC to foster a sense of shared national responsibility.
“Iyong professionalism sa ating uniformed personnel lalo na sa recruitment, training, internal affairs service pagtibayin natin kasi continuing ang isyu sa present security situation ng ating bansa lalo na sa WPS,” he stated.
“Dapat tingnan natin ng maigi ang pagpapalakas ng ating reserve force kasi ang defense ng ating bansa ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng ating armed forces o kapulisan. Responsibilidad ng lahat iyan,” Alejandro added.
Concrete support for the maritime sovereignty and strategic alliances
On foreign policy and security issues, Alejano expressed support for deploying missile systems like the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile, emphasizing a policy based on national interest and creating strong alliances with foreign partners including the United States.
“Ako ay sang-ayon kasi noon po importante na tayong bansa ay nakatuon sa national interest,” he said.
“Hindi po tayo tuta ng Amerika at hindi rin po tayo dapat magpapaapak sa China,” Alejano continued.
Moreover, he also renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Maritime and Oceanic Affairs to unify policies related to oceanic resources, defense, and environmental protection.
“Itong maritime sovereignty and resiliency na isinulong ko na rin sa nakaraang mga Kongreso ang pag-create ng Department of Maritime and Oceanic Affairs dahil mayroon tayong isyu sa ating mga karagatan,” he stressed.
Addressing justice system and human rights in the country
Responding to questions on Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), Alejano stressed the need for genuine rehabilitation rather than punitive incarceration.
He noted that many inmates become hardened criminals due to poor jail systems and lack of opportunities for reform.
“Ang pwede nating tingnan diyan ay ang pag-improve ng ating ekonomiya at iyon ay magsisimula sa loob ng gobyerno,” he claimed.
“Kasama kasi ang pagkulong sa pillar ng justice system natin,” Alejandro affirmed.
The former soldier said that extrajudicial killings have no place in a democratic society.
“Hindi ako pabor sa extrajudicial killings dahil I believed meron pang tyansa ang lahat ng nagkakamali sa ating lipunan,” he pointed out.
Fighting corruption and empowering the underrepresented
Aside from his advocacies and plans Alejano also accused some politicians of pocketing large amounts of the national infrastructure budget, especially in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He called for reforms in public service, including increased salaries to attract competent employees and reduce incentives for corruption.
“Halos kalahati diyan [infrastructure budget] will go to the pockets of politicians,” he claimed.
“Pinataas talaga ang sweldo 3 to 4 times over kasi ‘yon ang pinakaimportante… May mga benepisyo, anak o scholar — that’s how you attract the best and brighten sa ating community,” Alejandro cited Singapore and Hong Kong as examples of how corruption vanished.
He linked corruption to persistent poverty, arguing that inefficient governance denies the poor the quality services they deserve.
On the other hand, Magdalo also hopes to represent the Filipino youth, promoting responsible citizenship and voter education.
“Ang ating isinusulong din ay responsible citizenship at good governance. Sinusubukan natin na i-educate ang ating mga kapatid na yung pagbebenta ng boto, pagboto ng mga magnanakaw sa gobyerno may long term effect,” Alejano stressed.
#BakitIkaw: Magdalo para sa Pilipino Partylist?
“Ang Magdalo ay naging Top performer partylist noong nakaraang Kongreso,” Alendaro said.
“At ang pinaka-importante, never po nainvolve sa corruption ang Magdalo,” he emphasized that the partylist’s history of standing up against corruption and defending Philippine sovereignty, particularly in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), proves its dedication to principled leadership.
Furthermore, Alejandro was known for opposing the brutal war on drugs campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte, lost his 2019 Senate bid under the Otso Diretso slate, but will try to secure a seat now in Congress under the Magdalo Partylist.
Alejandro together with his partylists' focus on security sector reforms, maritime sovereignty, the welfare of uniformed personnel, and uplifting underrepresented Filipinos such as the poor and the youth.
