Lopez vows to back ‘most capable’ presidential bet

As he aspired for the country's second top political post, Labor Party Philippines vice presidential candidate Manny Lopez on Sunday said he is prepared to give his full backing to the "most capable, most committed" bet for president.

"Yan ang aking minimum commitment, suportahan ang susunod na pangulo ng mahal na Republika. 'Yan po ay gagawin natin bilang bise presidente, and in preparation for any emergency that might crop up in the course of time," he said. 

Lopez attended the debate organized by the Commission on Elections, which gave the candidates the opportunity to tell the public their platforms.

"Tayo po ay handa academically, tayo po ay handa professionally in both private and public enterprises. Tayo po ay nagsilbi na, at tayo po ay lumaban sa graft and corruption, even to the point of being in inconvenience. We will pursue and continue supporting what is just and best for our country and our people," he said.

Lopez, an economist, is running without a presidential candidate.

Asked during the debate about his views on the government's pandemic response, he proposed a "science-based, pragmatic and cost-effective" approach to pandemic management that is devoid of commercialism, profit maximization and politics.

"This will not be the last, we will be facing a lot more epidemics, pandemics and other diseases in the course of time," he said.

Lopez said the public health care system should be developed by having more doctors, providing scholarships, and building more hospitals.

On the issue of oil price hike, he said he favors giving the poor people subsidy, but rejected proposals to suspended fuel taxes.

"If that is suspended, too much will be lost. We might create a financial, fiscal crisis, and the repercussions are heavy," he said.—LDF, GMA News