Opposition Senator Francis ‘’Kiko’’ N. Pangilinan on Monday, July 5 urged Filipinos to register to vote as a way to continue the late President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III’s legacy of defending democracy and fighting poverty.
Asked about the impact of PNoy’s sudden death, the Liberal Party (LP) president said: “Kung mayroon siyang huling salita siguro baka ito ay: Palakasin natin ang ating demokrasya, protektahan natin ang ating demokrasya (If he has something to say before passing away, it would be this: Strengthen democracy, we should protect democracy). Palagay ko sasabihin niya palakasin natin ang demokrasya, magpa-rehistro tayo (I suppose he would say we should strengthen democracy by registering for the 2022 elections).”
In a media interview over Zoom, Pangilinan said another silver lining following PNoy’s death is that after over five years of disinformation, all his administration’s achievements are now being shared and talked about.
Pangilinan reiterated his call to register to vote. He said Filipinos want change in the dismal government anti-Covid response that has resulted in record hunger, unemployment, and poverty.
Government figures show that an estimated 13 million Filipinos are qualified to vote but are not registered.
This number of voters, Pangilinan said, could elect a president, vice-president or any national official into any office.
The voter registration period ends on September 2021.
Pangilinan also called for unity among political parties and set aside political differences to focus on the country’s efforts in combatting Covid-19.
The senator said unity is also needed to protect democracy.
“Democracy is learning to work with other people you may dislike or disagree with – up to a certain extent,’’ he added.