‘Not realistic’ to avoid political talks now – Drilon

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon (Screengrab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Avoiding talks about politics, especially with the 2022 elections looming, is “not realistic,” Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Tuesday.

In an online interview with reporters, Drilon said now is the time for Filipinos voters to scrutinize who among the prospective candidates for 2022 will best handle the country’s response to the pandemic.

“The people will have to examine the candidates who would be in the best position to respond to the problems that we face today…Whether we like it or not, people are preparing for next year’s election without prejudice, of course, to the efforts on the pandemic,” the minority leader said.

“Not to talk about politics at this stage is not realistic but that should not prejudice our efforts to address the pandemic,” he added.

Earlier, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) president Senator Nancy Binay said the party is putting on hold, for now, all political talks in relation to the 2022 elections amid growing threats of COVID-19.

“Amid the atmosphere of ‘Elections 2022’, UNA finds it cold and insensitive to put on the table any electoral agenda while our people are experiencing uncertainties in the wake of the growing Delta variant cases in [the] country,” Binay said in a statement Tuesday morning.

“For this reason, UNA has decided to suspend all talks in connection with the 2022 national elections until further notice so that the Party can help and focus well in fighting the pandemic,” she added.

Register to vote

Meanwhile, Drilon urged those eligible to register in order to vote for the 2022 elections.

“We only elect the leaders we deserve. If we do not register and exercise our right to choose our next leaders, we have no right to complain,” he said.

The deadline for voter registration is on September 30, while the filling of the certificate of candidacy is scheduled from October 1 to 8.

/MUF