MANILA, Philippines — An aspirant for a senatorial seat was overwhelmed with emotion during the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) on Wednesday, venting frustration over the slow pace of government assistance.
Nelson Ancajas stressed that Filipinos are not lazy, but the current system in the country is filled with several shortcomings.
Specifically, he narrated the challenges he confronted, such as when his child died because of the delay in government assistance.
“2008 po, lumalaban ako bilang magulang. Gusto kong mabuhay ang anak ko. Tayong mga Pilipino, hindi tayo tamad. Masipag tayo. ‘Yung sistema lang ang may problema,” Ancajas tearfully lamented, noting that his child suffered congenital adrenal hyperplasia and ambiguous genitalia.
(2008, I fought as a parent. I had to give my child a chance to live. We, Filipinos, are not lazy. We are hardworking. Only the system has a problem.)
“Bilang magulang, kaya po ako nandidito para pakinggan ang boses ng ordinaryong Pilipino. 2008 po, nagkaroon po ako ng anak. Namatay po siya. Three to four months lang po namatay po siya,” he added.
(As a parent, I’m here to listen to the voices of ordinary Filipinos. In 2008, I had a child. Three to four months only and he/she died.)
“Kung hihingi ako ng tulong, napakatagal ng proseso. Mamamatay na ‘yung tao bago pa makarating sa amin,” he went on.
(If I ask for help, the process is lengthy. The person will already die before the assistance reaches us.)
He also had a child this year and is currently suffering from a disease like his first baby.
“Alam niyo po, bilang magulang, lahat gagawin natin para sa ating anak. Ako ordinaryong Pilipino, gusto kong mabuhay anak ko. Wala akong maasahan sa gobyerno,” he expressed.
(You know, as a parent, we will do everything for our child. I’m an ordinary Filipino, I want my child to live. I cannot rely on the government.)
“Masipag naman ako, nag-graduate ako ng four years, may major in management. Kaya lang papaano nga naman? Napakahirap umusad,” he said.
(I am hardworking. I graduated from a four-year course, majoring in management. But how? It’s hard to move forward.)
Hence, his platforms include 24/7 complaints against the government, 24/7 job applications, 24/7 medical assistance, and alleviating the financial woes of the marginalized sector.
Early on in his speech, he questioned authorities over the delay in the disbursement of assistance.
“Aanhin niyo pa ‘yung tulong na binigay ng gobyerno sa mamamayang Pilipino kung binigay niyo naman ang tulong ay patay na ang isang Pilipino?” Ancajas said.
(What will you do with the government’s help if it will arrive when the person in need is dead?)
“Bakit niyo ipagdadamot ang pera ng mga Pilipino na dapat ay sa kanila? Samantalang kayo’y mga politiko, hindi naman sa inyo ang pera. Kaya dapat ibigay ang nararapat sa kanila,” he added.
(Why would you be selfish when the money is for Filipinos? You, politicians that are not your money. That’s why they should receive what they deserve.)
Ancajas shared that he already climbed public transport vehicles just to collect money for his children.
He also took the chance and appealed to the public to help his child.
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