‘Otso Diretso’ senatorial bets: It’s never ‘laylayan’ to talk about rights, issues

Despite ranking low in recent surveys, senatorial candidates from the "Otso Diretso" opposition coalition believe the issues they are pushing for individually will earn them the votes of the electorate come May 13.

In an ambush interview in Naga City on Wednesday, Marawi civic leader and senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc acknowledged that some members of the coalition, including her, do not form part of the top 12 candidates in the latest popularity surveys.

They, nevertheless, would continue to fight, she said.

"Hindi kami laylayan sa agenda at plataporma. Napaka-frontline ng aming issue, issue ng karahasan, hustisya, kababaihan, kabastusan. It's never laylayan to talk about rights," Gutoc said.

Each senatorial candidate from the opposition coalition is carrying an issue that they would advocate in the Senate.

Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano, a former Marine, is championing the security of the Filipino people and the country, while incumbent Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV is pushing for education and employment for all.

Lawyer Chel Diokno, who chairs the Free Legal Assistance Group, is advocating for justice as a senator, while Gutoc herself would push for just and lasting peace.

Former law professor and Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, who grew up in Tondo, would push for services to uplift the lives of the poor, while election lawyer Romulo Macalintal would champion the rights of the senior citizens.

Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas II would focus on improving the economy, while former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada would champion the rights of workers, farmers, and fishermen.

Candidates from the "Otso Diretso" coalition would hold their official proclamation rally in Naga City, the bailiwick of Vice President Leni Robredo, later in the day, but they already went around Caloocan City and introduced themselves to the locals on Tuesday, the first day of the official 90-day campaign period for national bets.

Diokno said votes from the Bicol region are "traditionally progressive," so they are hoping to get the favor of the Bicolanos.

Tañada, for his part, said they are looking forward to meeting the people of Naga City.

"Ang istorya naman ng Otso Diretso, hindi istorya namin, istorya ng mga tao yan, at yung mga hinaing ng tao ang ipapakita natin at ipaglalaban namin dito sa kampanya," he said.

Roxas missed the group's campaign events in Caloocan City on Tuesday, but "Otso Diretso" candidates said he would join them in their proclamation rally later.

Apart from the said event, the opposition senatorial slate would also visit the tomb of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, a native of Naga City.

"It's very symbolic because si Sec. Jesse yung leader natin na matino at mahusay. And I think marami sa amin, yun yung sinisikap naming maging --- maging matino, maging mahusay, maging hindi lang mabuting tao pero magaling na lider," Aquino said.

"And I think yun yung hinahanap ng tao ngayon. Hindi lang malinis ka, hindi lang na matino ka, pero yung magaling ka, yung mga kakayahan kang makatulong sa buhay nila," he added.

The coalition would also visit the family of detained Senator Leila De Lima to express their support to the opposition senator.

"Of course alam natin pinapahirapan siya (De Lima) but she's always done her best to serve the people. Kahit mula sa kulungan, nagf-file pa rin ng resolution, ng mga batas. And we want to visit her family just to show na nakikiisa kami sa kanila," Aquino said.

The "Otso Diretso" candidates would hold a dialogue with students and visit the local government officials in Iriga City later in the day. — RSJ, GMA News