Former Senate secretary Lutgardo Barbo is now seeking a seat in the Senate.
Barbo was among the early birds who filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Garden Tent in Sofitel, Pasay City on Friday, Oct. 1
Barbo is professor at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, and served as president of the Philippine Normal University and Taguig City University.
He said that he is running for a senatorial seat under the “original and true” Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party.
Kailangan ang pagtakbo ng isang Pilipino para sa isang pampublikong posisyon ay hindi pansariling interes (A Filipino seeking for a public position should not run for his own personal interest),” Barbo said.
“Lalong-lalo na hindi dapat tumakbo ang isang nanunungkulan na sa national government to escape from the clutches of the law especially yung ini-imbestigahan na ngayon ng International Criminal Court (An incumbent in the national government should not run to escape from the clutches of the law especially those who are now being investigated by the International Criminal Court),” he added.
“While Barbo did not mention names, the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC has recently granted the request of its prosecutor to begin a probe on the alleged crimes related to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, including the hundreds of deaths that occurred under the controversial war-on-drugs campaign of the Duterte administration.
“Kailangan managot ang dapat managot (The one who should be held accountable must be held accountable),” he said.
In his speech, he also threw a shade to what he called a “high-jacking” wing of the party.
The clash of the officials of the ruling PDP-Laban has split the party in to the factions led by Energy Secretary Alfonso and the tandem of Senators Koko Pimental and Manny Pacquiao.
He also said that the president of the republic only has the immunity from suit after stepping down from office and not the vice president.
Barbo said that among his advocacies is the creation of the anti-dynasty law and reforming the country’s political party system.
Moreover, Barbo said that the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of public officials should not be concealed.
Those who refused to disclose their SALN are saying that “your are above the law... which is wrong,” he said.
The senatorial aspirant said the country’s problem right now is not just the pandemic but also its leadership
“A good leader should show the way, should lead the way, and go all out that the way,” Barbo said.