Zambales Representative Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — What the Aquino administration needs are “fiscalizers” and not “puppets” in the Senate, the United Nationalist Alliance said on Thursday.
Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay said that UNA candidates would “provide the necessary checks and balances needed for democracy to thrive in this country.”
“We are here to make President Aquino succeed by honing his administration to be the best that it could be,” she added.
UNA has maintained its position of being a “constructive opposition” which would back the government’s efficient programs and criticize when necessary.
This was echoed by Nancy Binay, daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay, and San Juan Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.
“The Senate is the people’s fiscalizer and pulse, and as such is better to remain independent than a rubber stamp. Nobody has a monopoly on who can say has the right, who is capable, or who loves the country,” Ejercito said.
He attributed UNA candidates’ pull for the masses as the reason for their strong standing in the recent surveys.
“Sa mga nagdaang survey, ipinapakita na ninanais ng mamamayan na may independyente tayong Senado. Yan ang dahilan kung bakit mas madami ang kandidato na galing sa UNA ang lumalabas sa survey (In the recent surveys, they show that the people want an independent Senate. That’s the reason many UNA candidates are topping the surveys),” he said.
UNA secretary general and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said that they have maintained their stand as a constructive opposition. “Kung meron mang gustong manlito sa tao, eh hindi kami yun (If there’s somebody who wants to sow confusion to the public, it’s not us). I think they should first review their slogan and check the background of those who are part of their senatorial ticket.”
Ejercito said that the ruling party even had to import candidates from other political groups and he asked “kung naniniwala ang LP at ang administrasyon na ang mataas na tiwala ng mga Pilipino kay PNoy ay tatamasahin din ng kanilang partido, bakit hindi sila nagbuo ng purong-purong LP leaders bilang senatorial candidates?”
( if LP and the administration believe that the high people’s trust in PNoy (President Aquino) will be enjoyed by their party, why they did not form an all-LP senatorial slate?)