Former Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño believes that an activist should be in the Senate, stressing that qualified individuals, not political dynasties or celebrities, should be in office.
"Wala nang lugar ang taumbayan sa Senado. Kahit papaano sa kongreso, nandiyan ang ating mga partylist representatives, so well represented na ‘yung mamamayan sa kongreso. Bagamat paliit na rin ng paliit ang espasyo para diyan. Pero sa Senado talagang halos wala," Casiño said during the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Thursday.
"Ako naman sa mahabang panahon ko bilang aktibista, ‘yan ang ating gawain. Kasi ang aktibista pinaglalaban ang mahihirap, ang mga nasa laylayan. Kung naipaglaban natin ‘yan sa lansangan, sa kongreso, bakit hindi sa Senado?" he added.
The former lawmaker stated that his decision to run was driven by his belief that the public should be given a better choice, not just the "lesser evil."
He then pointed out that many of the current members of the Senate, as well as some of the candidates, are part of political dynasties or from the showbiz industry.
"Puro mga lumang pangalan, pero ito rin ‘yung nagdulot ng maraming problema sa atin kaya hindi umuunlad ang ating bayan. So, baka naman panahon na may iba naman na piliin tayo para sa Senado at inaalay po natin ang ating sarili bilang alternative choice ng mamamayan," Casiño explained.
Diverging views on activists' role in governance
Casiño affirmed that activists have played a significant role for many years in advancing changes in the country, both economically and politically.
He recounted that during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the term "activist" became associated with negative connotations, with activists being labeled as rebels and other derogatory terms.
Moreover, he emphasized that activists are advocates for the marginalized and should not be viewed in a negative light, highlighting that there is a noticeable shortage of activists within the government.
"Kasi ‘yung mga aktibista, ang tinitignan namin ay ‘yung problema ng buong sistema, hindi ‘yung patche patce lang. Ang pinaglalaban natin, pagbabago talaga sa sistema para sa masa," he added.
Casiño clarified that activists are committed to the people, the country, workers, farmers, the impoverished, indigenous communities, and other sectors such as the youth and women.
Are activists still relevant today?
He noted that activists remain relevant, citing their crucial role in ousting former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and exposing the pork barrel scandal during the administration of former President Noynoy Aquino.
"Kung hindi dahil sa mga aktibista, ‘yung napakaraming mga katiwalian sa gobyerno ay hindi ‘yan malalantad at mababatikos," Casiño said.
"Para sa akin ang aktibismo hindi nawawala. Ano man ang sistema ng lipunan na nandiyan, sino man ang nasa pwesto, importanteng may mga taong naghahangad ng mas makabuluhang pagbabago para sa karamihan at hindi lang para sa iilan," he added.
Safeguarding public funds
Casiño firmly believes that confidential funds should be removed, stating that from the start, these have been a source of corruption for dishonest officials.
He recounted that in the past, such funds were only given to the military. However, now, the allocation of these funds has spread to civilian agencies as well.
Furthermore, he reiterated that such funding should only be allocated to those with secret intelligence information, and the policies for these funds should be tightened to prevent abuse.
Relevance of impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte
"Ang impeachment ay paraan ng pagpapanagot sa pinakamatataas na opisyal ng ating bansa. Kaya dapat gamitin natin ‘yan ‘pag mayroon talagang mga maling ginagawa itong matataas na opisyal na ito," said Casiño.
"At nakita naman natin si Vice President Duterte, particularly ‘yung aming complaint na inihain kaugnay ng paglustay ng P612.5 million worth of confidential and intelligence funds, so kailangan niyang managot dito at ang paraan diyan ay through impeachment," he added.
However, he expressed disappointment over the slow response from Congress, but noted that, at least before the recess, progress was made and the matter was forwarded to the Senate.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved the impeachment complaints, receiving the backing of 215 lawmakers, which exceeded the necessary 102 votes to send the case to the Senate.
With this development, the Senate will proceed with a trial to decide if Vice President Duterte should be removed from office.
Senate President Chiz Escudero pointed out that no legal impeachment trial against Duterte will take place during the lower chamber's session break.
Previously, Escudero noted that the impeachment trial could occur after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.
Meanwhile, Casiño rejected claims that their group's impeachment complaint is politically motivated, stating that Vice President Sara Duterte has indeed committed wrongdoing, particularly regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
"Kung ano man ang sinasabing political motivation, kung wala namang winaldas na pera si Vice President Duterte, wala namang mangyayaring impeachment," said Casiño.
Stance on the West Philippine Sea issue
The former party-list representative stated that when it comes to track record, it is clear that he has been opposing China's actions in the West Philippine Sea.
However, he made it clear that in the country’s fight for its rights over the disputed waters, it should not align itself too closely with the United States, as they have their own interests at play.
"Kaya para sa amin, hindi dapat maka-China, hindi rin dapat maka-US. Dapat maka-Pilipino tayo, makabayan tayo and ‘yung independent foreign policy, huwag nating payagan na gamitin rin," he explained.
Proposed legislation aimed at lowering prices of goods
Casiño believes that when it comes to the prices of goods, the government should closely monitor the situation, and if there are any exploitative practices, the government should step in to control the prices.
Additionally, he stated that the reason for the high prices is the soaring cost of electricity and oil.
"Ang aming proposal po ay tanggalin na natin ‘yung Value-Added Tax sa langis, sa kuryente, sa tubig, at sa iba pang batayang serbisyo," he said.
Furthermore, he also advocates for the Rice Industry Development Act, which aims to allocate sufficient funding for the rice sector to develop irrigation systems and address other needs of farmers.
He firmly believes that with this legislation, it will significantly help in lowering the prices of goods, particularly rice.
Insights on falling short of survey top spots
The senatorial candidate believes that surveys are important because they, at the very least, capture the sentiments of the people.
However, the issue, according to him, is that the election seems to be turning into a gamble, where people simply place their bets on candidate they believe is most likely to win.
"Ang pagboto hindi ho sugal ‘yan. Ang pinipili natin diyan hindi ‘yung siguradong panalo, pipiliin natin ‘yung tingin natin na kailangan ng ating bansa," Casiño reiterated.
"Lalo na sa Senado, pipiliin natin ‘yung tingin natin na kakatawan sa atin, kakatawan sa tunay nating mga pangangailangan at interes," he added.
He then urged the public that while survey results should be considered, it is important to carefully study which candidates truly represent the interests of the Filipino people.
