Duterte endorses Jinggoy Estrada for senator

Senator Jinggoy Estrada

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has officially endorsed the senatorial bid of former Senator Jinggoy Estrada who is seeking a fresh Senate term under the UniTeam Alliance.

“I express my support to Jinggoy Estrada for his candidacy as senator. For his drive and passion for public service, let us give him another chance to carry out his earnest desire to continue the pro-poor programs he initiated in the Senate. I’m confident he will pursue his commitment to address the problems besetting the country through meaningful legislation. In the coming elections let us support Jinggoy Estrada,” the president said in a pre-taped message.

Estrada, who is running under the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte ticket, is a known advocate of labor rights. He is currently supporting moves to increase the minimum wage of Filipino workers due to rising fuel, transport and food costs.

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The former Senator from San Juan also vowed to ensure sufficient funding for the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers once reelected to the Philippine Senate in May 2022. He said the new department plays a critical role in regulating recruitment, employment and deployment of OFWs. The agency is also empowered to investigate and file cases related to illegal recruitment and human trafficking of OFWs.

Estrada served for 12 years as chairman of the Senate Labor Committee and was principal author and co-author of many bills protecting Filipino workers. He was principal author of the ‘Kasambahay Law’, or the law promoting the interests and welfare of domestic helpers in the Philippines. Republic Act 10361, or simply “Kasambahay Law”, prescribed standards, privileges and rights of domestic workers.

The eldest son of former President Joseph Estrada, he served in the Philippine Senate from 2004 to 2016 under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

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