When it comes to Philippine politics, readers of the Manila Bulletin are quite savvy--but always in a hurry.
So much in a hurry that most of them may not have realized that some 150 or nearly half of the House of Representatives members in the 19th Congress are either complete neophytes or returning solons. Thus, we're introducing the #SevenQuestions challenge.
Rookie lawmakers who agreed to take on the #SevenQuestions challenge were made to choose and answer seven questions from a list of 20--half of them light, half of them serious. They were encouraged to pick the combination of questions that they think would best introduce them to a reader in a rush.
PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles
Our neophyte House member for the day, PBA Party-list Rep. Migs Nograles, opted to answer four light questions and three serious questions. The 31-year-old is a lawyer by profession.
Light questions
1. Are you a cat or dog person?
Dog person, always. I have two dogs and I personally trained them to make sure they are well behaved, potty trained, and disciplined.
2. What were you teased about as a kid?
Everything— from looks, to outfits, to anything anyone could think of. I was bullied as a kid and even until I graduated law school and my masters of business administration (MBA) degree as class the Valedictorian.
One specific person who hated me did not or could not believe I graduated with high scores that she even petitioned the school to recompute my grades and walked out during my graduation speech. This is why one of my advocacies is anti-bullying because I know what it is like to go through the bullying process.
3. What "super power" would you like to have? Name two.
First i would want to power of healing (myself and others), that way I won’t be able to get hurt and I can heal others (Sana pwede rin healing of broken heart hahaha! ). Second, I would choose the power of mimicry since when you are faced with someone else with power, it would be easier to mimic this and find a way to annhiliate the enemy.
4. What did you do this week that you are most proud of?
This week I filed my first three bills (three among many more) which are my advocacies: (a) The Domestic Abuse Act which includes all genders, male and female, and even the LGBTQI+ community; (b) The Single Parents Welfare Act which includes increased financial aid for single parents and scholarship benefits for at most two children, among others. These single parents include those not married, those previously married, and even those legally separated with their dependent; and (c) the creation of the Sulu State University.
Serious questions
5. Why did you enter politics?
As a former athlete, a lawyer by profession, and because I have a free legal aid show called “Paano Ba Attorney” through my Facebook page “Atty. Migs Nograles”, I have encountered, spoken to, and dealt with many victims, oppressed and the poor with little or no access to basic rights, commodities, and legal guidance.
It also of course helps that I grew up in an environment that has always been political and even at a young age was very exposed to how my dad and brothers gave back to the community. With my background and accomplishments in life so far, I believe the best way to show gratitude is to give back to the community and help the country, a better place for Filipinos to live in.
6. What do you think is the country’s biggest problem and how would you address it?
As a representative of the PBA Party-list, I would say that the sports program is really one big problem that needs to be addressed.
We have many potential athletes who have already given pride to our country and yet our laws only provide cash incentives when they win. How about while they are training? How about adequate facilities? How about financial support while training? How about giving members of accredited Philippine teams standard benefits like SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig, and the like? Our athletes should focus more on training to bring pride to our country and not on how to survive day after day.
7. Who is your biggest inspiration in life?
My father, former Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles. I only wish to be half as great as man he was. I wish he was still here to help guide me but I know he is in heaven now, watching and in a way guiding my every way.