MANILA, Philippines — A senatorial candidate from the opposition “Otso Diretso” took a swipe at Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), citing his group’s “clear campaign contrast” from the administration-backed political party.
Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay on Wednesday asserted Otso Diretso’s campaign focuses on issues while HNP merely wants to entertain voters.
“There is a clear campaign contrast. On one hand, [they] have an entertainment-based campaign, and, on the other hand, we have an issue-based campaign,” Hilbay said in a press briefing in Marikina.
Former Solicitor General Florin “Pilo” Hilbay. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net
Hilbay stressed that talking about issues is an important role of a senator.
“They [HNP] are there to entertain the crowd na hinahakot nila whereas kami dito, we talk about issues kasi sa tingin namin iyon talaga ‘yung importante para sa trabaho ng mga senador na may kapasidad at may kakahayan na magsalita tungkol sa issue na hinaharap ng bayan,” he said.
Hilbay also raised concern over HNP candidates’ apparent silence on Chinese fishing vessels driving Filipino fishermen away from sandbars close to Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea.
READ: Chinese boats deny Filipino fishermen access to sandbars
“They, at the same time, keep quiet in the territorial scene of Pag-asa. ‘Di nakaka-pangisda ‘yung mga mangingisda dun sa mga pinupuntahan nilang lugar,” he noted. /kga