Senate bets push for better farmers’ livelihoods, comment on Duterte ICC case

Some senatorial candidates went to Mindanao while others traveled to Cavite as they continue their campaign over the weekend.

Mindanao as PH’s ‘food basket’

As he visited several areas in Mindanao for his election campaign, senatorial candidate Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan noted its potential to become the Philippines’ “food basket.”

“We need to turn our attention to agriculturally rich regions like Mindanao to achieve food security and lower food prices. Mindanao should be a priority in our efforts to not only meet domestic demands but also boost agricultural exports,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

“Kasama ang lokal na pamahalaan, patuloy tayong kikilos para sa tapat at totoong pamamahala, mas mura at masarap na pagkain, at mas malakas na suporta para sa mga magsasaka at sektor ng agrikultura,” Pangilinan said as he visited Baguya City in Agusan del Sur.

(Together with local government, we will continue to work for honest and true governance, more affordable and tastier food, and stronger support for farmers and the agricultural sector.)

At the Father Saturnino Urios College-Bayugan, Pangilinan attended a forum titled "Pagkain at Edukasyon Para sa Lahat: A Forum on Agriculture and Food Security and engaged with senior high schools students.

He emphasized that supporting farmers and strengthening the agriculture sector will ensure affordable and quality food for all Filipinos, contributing to a better future for the next generation.

Pangilinan also went to Pigdaulan, Butuan City for an ocular visit and dialogue with agricultural cooperative leaders.

“Mindanao is vast and diverse, and it deserves unhindered government support,” Pangilinan emphasized.

Support for fishermen

In Naic, Cavite, Labor leader Luke Espiritu met with fisherfolks who are against coastal dredging that will be used for reclamation projects.

Expressing his support for the fisherfolk, Espiritu said coastal dredging may lead to the displacement of coastal communities and destruction of nature.

“Kasi pag may suporta sila, mapapaganda ang kanilang hanapbuhay. Imbis na bangka, pwede na kayo magkaroon ng mas magandang mga barko, pwede na kayo mangdaragat na medyo may modern na method na nakapapangalaga ng kalikasan, at mas marami kayong mapo-produce na pagkain, mas malawak na produksyon na isa sa merkado, gaganda ang ekonomiya,” Espiritu said.

(If they have support, fisherfolk can have better livelihood conditions. They can have better boats, modern fishing methods that protect the environment, and more food production and supply to the market, which can contribute to the economy.)

Espiritu was campaigning with Leody de Guzman and Partido Lakas ng Masa chair Sonny Melencio.

Duterte ICC case

At the 88th Araw ng Davao in San Pedro Square in Davao City, Senator Bong Go expressed gratitude to supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Mga Dabawenyo, mga taga-Mindanao, nakikiusap po ako sa inyo na hindi tayo titigil hanggang makauwi siya. Hindi tayo titigil. Maraming salamat sa inyong suporta para kay Tatay Digong. Ginawa niya lang po ang kailangan niyang gawin," Go said.

(Dabawenyos and those in Mindanao, I beg you that we will not stop until he comes home. We will not stop. Thank you very much for your support for Tatay Digong. He only did what he had to do.)

Duterte was arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court and has been brought to The Hague to face charges in connection with the killings in the past administration's war on drugs. 

Labor leader Leody De Guzman pointed out that many of those killed in Duterte's drug war were not accorded due process.

“Sana may natutunan na si Duterte sa unang hearing ng ICC lalo na ang due process na isang karapatan na dapat tinatamasa ng bawat tao. Ang nakakalungkot, hindi man lang nakamit at naranasan ng mga pinatay ng kanyang war on drugs,” he said at the Naic People’s Organization forum in Naic, Cavite.

(I hope Duterte learned from the first ICC hearing, especially about due process which is a right that every person should have. What is sad is that those killed by his war on drugs have not even achieved and experienced it.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News

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