Leading party-list group seeks to address healthcare, improve 4Ps

MANILA, Philippines—Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list nominee Niña Taduran said she was overwhelmed with the support she and her fellow nominees received during the campaign.

ACT-CIS currently tops the party-list race with 9.48% of votes or 2,547,088 votes based on partial, unofficial results aggregated from Comelec data which reflects 95.02% of returns as of 3:50 p.m.

Bayan Muna comes in second with 4.04% or 1,085,266 votes.

Taduran, a veteran radio journalist, is Raffy Tulfo’s co-host in public service radio program “Wanted Sa Radyo” on Radyo5 where they mediate in citizens’ disputes.

In an interview with DZIQ Radyo Inquirer, Taduran said of their supporters: “Overwhelming talaga kasi sila mismo ang nagvovolunteer, sila mismo ang nagsasabing susuporta kami sa inyo kaya nakakataba ang puso.”

(It was so overwhelming because they [citizens] themselves volunteered, they told us they will support us which is heartwarming.)

Taduran said that during the campaign trail, she was able to meet the “poorest of the poor” and plans to strengthen the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program.

“Mayroon nang 4Ps, pero paigtingin pa natin ‘yan, pag-ibayuhin pa natin ‘yan,” she said.

(The 4Ps already exists, but we will empower it and strengthen it.)

Another step she will take with her fellow nominees, Tulfo’s wife Jocelyn Tulfo and Eric Go Yap, is the installation of action centers in their respective home provinces: Bicol for Taduran, Isabela for Jocelyn and Davao for Go Yap.

Tulfo’s action center in Mandaluyong is where citizens seek assistance for their grievances.

“Hindi ito pangako kundi commitment namin, na sabi namin ni idol Raffy Tulfo, sinabi niya ‘pag nanalo kami, maglalagay ako ng action center sa Bicol kasi bulwarte ko ‘yun,” she said.

(This is not a promise but a commitment. We and Raffy Tulfo said that when we win, I will put up an action center in Bicol because that is my bailiwick.)

Another issue she will focus on is healthcare. “Lalo sa amin sa Bicol, sabi ko nga, very ambitious, pero gagawin ko lahat para magprovide kami at least ng free MRI, free dialysis, free chemo na instead na luluwas pa sila ng Maynila, maibibigay na sa ating probinsya.”

(Especially for us in Bicol, I said it is very ambitious, but I will do everything to provide at least free MRI, free free dialysis, free chemo so instead of traveling to Manila, we can provide it in our province.)

Taduran explained that ACT-CIS seeks to address a wide range of advocacies which can be summarized with the acronym “CLAMP”.

The party-list intends to “champion women’s and children’s rights,” be a “labor and employment watchdog,” act as an “anti-crime crusader,” push for a “magna carta for media workers,” and give “protection for the LGBT community, protection for the elderly, protection for the environment.”

“Malawak talaga yung aming magiging papel ‘pag kami ay nailuklok na sa kongreso,” she said. (Our roles will be wide when we assumed seats in Congress.)

As for how they attained their lead, she said, “It’s because of the Raffy Tulfo magic, I suppose. It’s a group effort.”

She said her radio duties are still “under negotiation.”

“Hopefully makabalik ako by June 16 because people are expecting na makabalik ako. Iba pa rin ang tandem [namin] ni idol [Raffy],” she said.

(I’m hoping to be back by June 16 because people are expecting that I will be back. Our tandem is still one-of-a-kind.)

Given by the number of votes, ACT-CIS would get three seats in the House of Representatives. A total of 181 groups are vying for the 59 seats allocated for party-list representatives. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Tulfo-backed ACT-CIS surges ahead in party-list voting