A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Malaysia on Monday, April 4, backed the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan, emphasizing the importance of them not coming from political dynasties as the key reason for the endorsement.
The Domestic Workers Association of Malaysia (DWAM), in particular, described Pangilinan as a principled servant of the poor who has a clean track record.
Overseas absentee voting is scheduled to start on Sunday, April 10.
“At isulong din natin ang bagong kasaysayan, ang politika ng Pilipinas kung saan sina VP Leni at Senator Kiko ang kauna-unahang presidente at bise-presidente na hindi galing sa pamilyang dinastiya. Alam natin na isa ito sa mga ugat ng korapsyon at pang-aabuso (Let us push for a new history, the politics in the Philippines where VP Leni and Senator Kiko are the first president and vice president who do not come from a political dynasty. We know this is one of the roots of corruption and abuse),” Liezl Rodrigo of the DWAM said during the virtual town hall hosted by the Solid Leni-Kiko Global.
This, she added, is proof that Pangilinan will not line his pockets at the expense of the Filipinos.
“Huwag kalimutan na kapag may Leni sa balota, dapat may Kiko na kasama. Laban! Sa gobyernong tapat, magkakaroon ng hanapbuhay ang lahat (Don’t forget that if there’s a Leni in the ballot, there should also be a Kiko. Fight! In an honest government, everyone will have a job),” she said.
Rodrigo stressed that Pangilinan has been serving the Filipinos for decades, describing his services as clean, just, and science- and technology-based.
She also noted the senator’s experience as a former food security czar under the Aquino administration.
“Nang dahil sa matagal na niyang panunungkulan sa bansa, alam niya ang hinaing at pulso ng mga mamamayan na siyang hinihintay naming mga OFWs na gustong mamuhay sa probinsya nang may maayos na sistema (Because of his long experience in serving the country, he knows the grievances and the pulse of our countrymen that we OFWs have been waiting as we want to live in the provinces with an efficient system),” she said.
READ: Pangilinan vows to help OFWs thru farming opportunities
While other politicians are focused on infrastructure development, it is only Pangilinan who is an expert on food security, Rodrigo emphasized.
After serving as senator from 2001 to 2013, the vice-presidential candidate was appointed Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization from 2014 to 2015.
During his stint as food security secretary, he addressed the smuggling of agricultural products. He ran after the big smuggling syndicates and government officials and employees they were in cahoots with.
In 2016, he returned to the Senate, where he was instrumental in the passage of the Sagip Saka Act, which compels local and national governments to buy goods directly from farmers without public bidding and at a fair price.
Pangilinan believes that with a stable market of their goods, the livelihood and standard of living of farmers and fisherfolk would improve.
He also said that should he win as vice president, he will see to it that the Sagip Saka Act is implemented in the third or fourth quarter of this year.