From being a “newbie” in mounting an election campaign back in 2019, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno tries again for the Senate in next year’s polls with “much more experience” and a plan to push for a stronger justice system in the country.
Diokno joins this episode of INQside Look to discuss his advocacies, the importance of listening to the voice of the youth, and his stand on various national issues from the drug war to the Philippines’ sea dispute with China.
He also explains why he thinks “placeholders” for the elections should be declared nuisance candidates.
Contents of this video:
00:00 Introduction
00:56 Working a day after conceding in the 2019 senate race
02:01 Reasons for again seeking a Senate seat
02:41 Lessons learned after 2019 campaign
03:47 Campaign strategy amid the COVID-19 pandemic
05:58 Popularity among youth
07:19 Problems youths face: Education, Unemployment
08:17 Addressing the concerns of youth: face-to-face classes
09:37 Addressing the concerns of youth: Unemployment
11:12 On Pres. Duterte’s senatorial run in 2022
12:11 On Duterte’s criticism on Diokno’s personal appearance
13:01 On candidates using illegal drugs
14:27 On substitution of candidates due to withdrawal
15:57 On the suspension of fuel excise tax
16:29 On the West Philippine Sea
17:49 On ‘drug war’
19:46 On same-sex marriage / civil unions
20:20 On divorce
20:53 On Charter change
21:25 On the reimposition of death penalty
21:41 On political dynasty
22:18 On climate change
23:33 On agrarian reform
24:29 On labor contractualization
25:11 On press freedom / freedom of speech
26:45 Keeping independence in the Senate if Vice President Leni Robredo wins presidency
28:01 Why should Filipinos vote for Chel Diokno