Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Tuesday launched his campaign bid, wooing the electorate to vote for him in the May polls to push his platform and programs in the Senate aimed at returning “malasakit” [compassion] to public service.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, started the 90-day campaign period in his hometown Tacloban City where ordinary people especially survivors of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” reiterated their support for his senatorial bid.
“Today is the beginning of the big battle. I seek people’s trust and support for me to carry and fulfill my platform and programs in the Senate. Let the unity begin here in Tacloban City like what we did during Yolanda and let us return malasakit to public service,” Romualdez, head of the House Independent Bloc and a three-term congressman who is running for the Senate under a platform anchored on compassionate governance, told at least 5,000 supporters who attended his political event.
Romualdez, a shared senatorial candidate of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who are both running for president, conveyed a message of hope to the local candidates in his district during the kick-off ceremony of his campaign at the Community Center in Tacloban City.
Tolosa Leyte parish priest Monsignor Alex Opiniano administered the Prayer for Leaders to Romualdez and his wife, Leyte first congressional candidate Yedda Romualdez.
After the event in Tacloban City, Romualdez flew to Ilocos Norte where he joined the kick-off rally of Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos in Batac town.
Romualdez was endorsed last week by his aunt, former First Lady and reelectionist Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Romualdez-Marcos.
“I appeal for the solid north vote. We have to unite to attain true democracy, justice and progress for Filipinos,” said Romualdez.
The tandem of Santiago and Marcos was graced by Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos before they visited the Mariano Marcos State University to ask for the support of the students.
Romualdez was scheduled to join the kick-off rallies of Binay in Mandaluyong City and Duterte in Tondo, Manila, as of press time Tuesday afternoon.
Aspiring to get a Senate seat, Romualdez has vowed to push for free education and good health services, better livelihood and job opportunities, ensuring public safety from various calamities, eliminate corruption and red tape, fight efficiency in public service, and delivery of other social services for Filipinos.
“Let us all work to champion people’s interests and return the malasakit to public service. Let us help each other in seeking true democracy, justice and progress for Filipinos,” Romualdez pointed out.
“Let us fulfill our duties and responsibilities to provide Filipinos better economy and better lives. There is a need to allocate more funding for education, health and other social services to ensure that those with less in life would enjoy more as malasakit of the government,” Romualdez added.
“The government should work truly in giving Filipinos free and quality education because this would provide an expressway for them to escape poverty and unemployment,” Romualdez said.