Banning internet games such as Defense of the Ancients (Dota) and changing the name of the Philippines to “Power of Maharlika Kingdom” were some of the political promises that senatorial hopefuls offered to the public as they filed their certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections.
From October 11 to 17, over 100 individuals gunning for a seat in the Senate lodged their formal bids before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office in Intramuros, Manila.
Some aspirants’ ideas to address the pressing problems in the country makes sense while others’ schemes border on ridiculous or simply nutty.
Bethsaida Lopez. INQUIRER.net/Cathrine Gonzales
No to Dota, CoC
A woman-senatorial wannabe vowed to ban popular internet games such as Dota and Clash of Clans (CoC) should she win in the 2019 elections.
Bethsaida Lopez, claiming to be a “street educator,” asserted that internet games make its players become irresponsible as they would usually neglect their health for the games.
“Kapag nasa internet cafe ang mga kabataan o ‘yung mga may edad ay hindi na natutulog, hindi na kumakain, hindi nakakapag-aral at di na nakakatulong sa bahay,” Lopez said.
She also noted that online games promote vulgarity among students as it ruins their life.
“Dinaig pa si President Duterte kung makapagmura, dinaig pa militar at PNP sa pakikipagbarilan, natutong magsugal at nawalan ng respeto sa kapwa,” she added.
Lopez said she will replace online games with educational ones that tackle school subjects.
“Ang plano kong ipalit ay mga laro na pang-edukasyon. Nananagawan po ako sa mga programmer ng ating bansa na ang gawin n’yo po ay mga subject na laro nang sa gayon magdamag man sila maglaro sa internet cafe ay hindi sila basta naglalaro kundi nag-aaral,” she said.
‘Jesus’ is against death penalty
Another senatorial applicant strongly oppose the reimposition of death penalty in the country because he is “Jesus Christ.”
“I am Jesus Christ, pagkatapos gagawa tayo ng death penalty? What kind of government are we? Hindi ko matatanggap ‘yung death penalty. Si satanas lang siguro ‘yung may death penalty, si Lucifer,” said Charlie Talledo.
“No one can solve all the problems, only Jesus Christ. Kung hindi ako si Jesus Christ, hindi na ako tatakbo,” he said.
Talledo also insisted he was a good friend of President Rodrigo Duterte, and it was the President who convinced him to run for senator.
“Gusto ni Duterte na magpunta ako dito. Hindi naman mahirap pagbigyan si Duterte. Si Duterte alam ko naman na magkaibigan kami, alam ko naman na may pinagsamahan kami,” he said.
‘Cultural hour’
Meanwhile, former broadcaster Jiggy Manicad said he would propose a “cultural hour” on national television if he wins in next year’s polls.
Manican said cultural hour would showcase cultural programs that would promote nationalism.
“Sa halip na magbugbog po tayo ng mga teleserye, bakit hindi po tayo mag-produce ng mga programa para sa ating kultura? Ipalabas yung mga pelikula tungkol sa kabayanihan at isulong ‘yung mga musikang Pilipino na unti-unting namamatay na,” he noted.
He emphasized that a vibrant culture is important to a society because it promotes a sense of nationalism to its citizens.
“Importante ho sa isang lipunan ang masiglang kultura dahil sa bawat giyera nakita ho natin ‘yun sa kasaysayan na inuuna hong ubusin ‘yung mga alaala ng isang kultura,” he said.
Re-naming Philippines
A man from Bicol, describing himself as “Hari ng Pilipinas” (King of the Philippines) wants to change the name of the Philippines if he becomes a senator.
Identifying himself as King Salam Emilio Delfin Lacan Luisong Tagean, he believes the country’s name should instead be “Power of Maharlika Kingdom.”
He also said it’s about time for the Philippines to have its own astronauts and cosmonauts, calling them “kinunot” — which is a known Bicolano dish.
But for him, kinunot stands for “a kingdom with new organization nationwide unite the technology.”
“If we have advanced technology, no country would meddle with us,” said the 50-year-old Naga resident.
Tagean also filed his senatorial candidacy during the 2013 elections but was declared a nuisance candidate.
‘Piso para sa Puso’
Christian Castro filed his candidacy for senator in the 2019 elections with a plan to launch the “Piso para sa Puso (Peso for the Heart)” program, where every Filipino will be required to donate one peso for government programs, if he succeeds.
He said the program will help address the needs of the public, including those who require medical operations.
Castro also said that if he ever gets elected, he would work toward ensuring that “hao-siao” journalists would be taken care of and provided with such benefits as free housing.
The 40-year-old “publisher-editor” said that he feels for these individuals since they were not lucky enough to be accepted into credible news organizations. /kga