The Ang Kabuhayan Partylist on Wednesday declared its “unequivocal” support for the senatorial bid of Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero in the coming May 9, 2022 national elections.
In a statement, the partylist said it shares the veteran lawmaker’s advocacy to advance people empowerment through the development of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), many of which belong to the agriculture sector.
Many from this sector have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two years.
“We especially commend Senator Chiz for calling on his former colleagues in the Senate to thoroughly review the terms of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement before its ratification,” Ang Kabuhayan said.
Escudero, who is seeking a new six-year term in the Senate, has been calling on former colleagues in the Senate to carefully review the terms stipulated under the RCEP before ratifying the trade pact.
Escudero stressed it is imperative for senators to assess the long-term impact of the RCEP on agriculture, particularly on farmers and fisherfolk, who are considered the poorest in the Philippines, before the Senate concurs in its ratification.
The partylist also said it is grateful to Escudero for taking the cudgels of the MSMEs in the agriculture sector which, it said, has serious concerns about the agreement.
“We thank Gov. Escudero for this gesture which is highly appreciated by the Kabuhayan Partylist. We wish Senator Chiz the best of luck in his senatorial comeback and he is assured of Kabuhayan’s all-out support,” the statement said.
Aside from Ang Kabuhayan, groups that have openly endorsed Escudero's Senate comeback inude An Waray, ARISE, BHW, Kusog Bikolandia, Federation of Free Farmers, and the Magdalo group.