Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Team Galing at Puso electrifies UCV


Presidential candidate  Grace Poe, running mate Francisco "Chiz" Escudero, and senatorial bet Neri Colmenares captured a jampacked gymnasium during a political rally in the University of Cagayan Valley (UCV) Greyhounds gymnasium, Tuguegarao City last Feb. 29, 2016.

College of Maritime Education (CME) students set up for the arrival of the Partido Galing at Puso (PGP) candidates as early as seven o'clock in the morning, lining up along the university pathway to guide the convoy who just came in from a campaign in Tacloban City, Leyte.

Arriving ahead of Poe and Escudero, Bayan Muna party-list representative and senatorial bet Neri Colmenares staged his political outline to a swelling crowd dominated by students and student-leaders from UCV, F.L. Vargas College, and Cagayan State University.

City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, members of the city council, local government officials, Barangay officials, health workers, nutrition scholars, university Faculty and Staff, and members of the Kabataan, Gabriela, Anak Pawis, and Bayan Muna party-lists were present in the event.


Not a 'Golden Age' ---Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares
shares his experiences during martial law to the students
and student-leaders.
'Boses ng Karaniwang Tao'

"Hindi maba-bankrupt and SSS, kaya dapat ibigay ang 2,000 pesos" said the Fighter ng Bayan, urging the crowd to call for their district representatives to "make history" and override President Aquino's veto over House Bill 5842 or the P 2,000-peso SSS Pension Hike which would benefit older members.

Colmenares says that 190 signatures are needed to override the President's veto when session resumes on May 23, 2016.  As of Feb. 23, 2016 eighty-one congressmen have already agreed to sign.

National industrialization, agrarian reform, pro-people budget and fiscal policies, and expanded social services in education, health, housing, and public utilities are among the platforms of the congressman for "an industrial and progressive Philippines."

The congressman gave his views on the Malampaya fund, one which he says is "isang pondong walang gumagamit" adding that the fund could be better used in protecting labor and modernizing the agrarian sector.


Escudero poses for photo-op with city officials
'Serbisyong may Heart'

The clamor was deafening when Senators Poe and Escudero arrived, escorted by staff, security, and media outfits like CNN, GMA7, and TV5.

Adding to Cong. Colmenares' talk on the barangay pension fund intended for barangay officials and workers, Escudero highlighted GP's push for salaries and other benefits of barangay officials.

"Dapat magkasuweldo muna ang mga barangay officials," the young senator from Sorsogon said as he presented plans for government.

Under the Poe-led administration, Escudero pushes for a fair share of national taxes to Local Government Units (LGUs).

Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis, Gabriela, and Kabataan Party-list
members wait for the arrival of Poe, Escudero, and
Colmenares outside Greyhounds Gym, UCV Balzain Campus,
Tuguegarao City
In a press release last Feb. 22, 2016, the Escudero said "Layunin po naming tiyakin na ang parte o share ng LGUs ay tumutupad sa Local Government Code at umabot sa 40 porsyento dahil sa hinaba-haba ng panahon ay dapat matagal na hong nag-40 porsyento iyon,"

Addressing a question from the crowd on "bottom-up budgeting" the senator said that LGUs know exactly what their needs are, and that IRAs should be released regularly to the LGUs to enable them to fully deliver basic services to the people.

Escudero also pushes for the obligatory payment of local taxes and fees by businesses in municipalities where they operate, instead of paying them in areas where their main offices are located.


'Gobyernong may Puso'

"Kung ikaw ang namumuno, hindi lamang kung ano ang gusto mong gawin ang mahalaga, ngunit kung ano rin ang dapat mong gawin" started Poe as she introduced herself to the crowd.

Among the highlights of Poe's plans include improved programs for health, education, and agriculture.

In education, Poe vows to pursue free education and wifi connections in all public schools and state colleges and universities, as well as discounts and 'study now pay later' programs for those opting to study in private institutions.

For farmers, the senator said "buhos and suporta sa sektor ng magsasaka sa buong bansa," underlining GP's plans for improving agriculture, land reform, irrigation and mechanization.

Poe further underlined her plans of reducing taxes and improving wages and benefits of workers.

"Mahaba ang aming programa, pero ang mahalaga ay ang maramdaman ito ng mga tao" says Poe.

When asked why she should be voted as president, Poe said that as the candidate closest to the youth's age, they can best relate to her.


Open Floor Questions

Among candidates who have already visited the university, Team GP was the first to accommodate an open-floor forum where participants were given the chance to raise questions to the candidates.

A student asked the opinions of Poe, Escudero, and Colmenares on the notion among many millenials circulating through social media that Martial Law was a golden age for the Philippines.

Colmenares shared his story as a youth leader and victim of martial law. "Naranasan kong makulong, naranasan kong mabugbog, at makuryente noong martial law..." the congressman said, who was only eighteen years old at the time.

"Noong martial law, bawal ang mga student government at student publication" he continued, saying that his experiences in fighting for freedom still inspires him to serve the country.

Poe on the other hand stressed the role of academic institutions in educating young people about martial law.

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