POLITICAL clans of vote-rich Cavite are one in supporting the senatorial bid of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for his genuine malasakit (compassion) to the plight of the poor, good governance and empowerment of local government units.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., vice president of the National Unity Party, pledged to deliver substantial votes for Romualdez whom he described as “compassionate” leader who can represent people’s interests in the Senate.
“His track record will show that he is more qualified than other candidates running for the Senate. He has compassion for the common people and we need a public servant like him in the Senate,” he said.
Barzaga is the husband of Mayor Jenny Barzaga of Dasmariñas City, which has 326,000 registered voters.
Cavite has 1.84-million registered voters, next to Cebu in terms of the most number of voters by province.
Romualdez was also endorsed by influential One Cebu party whose leaders vowed to deliver two million votes for him.
He reaped praise as author in the House of the Persons With Disabilities measure exempting PWDs from the payment of 12-percent value added tax on certain goods and services.
Cavite’s Jesus Crispin Remulla, who is running as governor unopposed, called on the public to vote for Romualdez whose proven competence would help the country achieve inclusive growth to the benefit of poorest of the poor.
He cited the latest proposal of Romualdez, head of the House independent bloc, to institutionalize, expand and reform the conditional cash transfer by extending a maximum of P46,200 and a minimum of P24,200 financial support annually to each qualified household-beneficiary.
“His malasakit to the poorest of the poor is very commendable. His proven and impressive track record need continuity to the Senate,” he said.
Remulla is the elder brother of Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla.
Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla and Bacoor City Mayor Strike Revilla have also reaffirmed their commitment to make Romualdez, whose key platforms are focus at improving jobs, health, education, agriculture and disaster preparedness, a big winner in Cavite.
“The united stand of influential politicians in Cavite for Congressman Romualdez is not surprising anymore because he has a compassionate heart for the poor,” the female lawmaker.
Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said LGUs should be given a bigger share of the national budget as an act of malasakit for them to do more for their constituents.
“We must empower our LGUs and their sanggunians. Every region, province, city or municipality has the potential for progress and development with the right support from the national government and an equitable share in the budget,” he said.
Joining Crispin Remulla in endorsing Romualdez were Mayors Renato Abutan of Rosario, Melandres De Sagun of Trece Martires City, Jun Dualan of Naic, Totie Paredes of Cavite City, Enrico Alvarez of Noveleta, Virgilio Vargas of Alfonso, Rey Rillo of Maragondon, Omil Poblete of Silang, Eric Vida of Mendez, Edwin Sisante of Magallanes, Herminio Uno of Ternate, Benjo Villanueva of Amadeo, Homer Saquilayan of Imus, Gilbert Gandia of Kawit, Benny Dimero of Indang and Danny Bencito of General Aguinaldo as well as Cavite political leaders.
Romualdez assured Filipinos that he would push in-city resettlement through decent and affordable housing program for informal settlers and urban poor communities to guarantee the preservation of their jobs and livelihood, institutionalizing, increasing and making Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or the conditional cash transfer accessible to all free of any discrimination, ending the contractualization system and champion further the interests of PWDs.
