“They are more than worthy to be our senators.”
“They are more than worthy to be our senators.”
The names Teddy Baguilat and Sonny Matula may not ring a bell to many but these two names are worthy to be on everyone’s ballot come the 2022 elections. They are running for the Senate.
Baguilat, is an Ifugao, and a former mayor, two-term governor of his province, and a three-term representative. Matula, on the other hand, ran and lost in the 2019 elections. He is a lawyer and the President of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), one of the country’s labor centers.
Baguilat, while not new in politics, is a first-time candidate for Senator. I met him more than ten years ago in the course of our advocacy for the then reproductive health bill. Since then, we would always see each other in various meetings, rallies, and hearings in the House of Representatives (HOR). Baguilat was among our strong allies in different progressive advocacies including bills on women, LGBTQI+, and national land use, to name a few. He is an activist and a true-blue progressive. He will definitely be an asset in the Senate with fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions to problems.
As a person, one may say that Baguilat is low-key. He is not one who tries to catch attention but nonetheless, he is always noticed. I remember that he was the “crush ng bayan” of RH advocates especially with his trademark long hair that gives him the “rock star look.” He is down-to-earth and easy to approach. These are good qualities that will help him become a good senator.
Baguilat was always present in meetings of his various bills. I know because I get to be invited as a resource person in many of those meetings. I have been a witness to his being a hard worker. Surely, he will contribute much in the Senate.
His familiarity with running local government units is an advantage. As a former mayor and governor, Baguilat is well aware of the situation, operations, and problems of local government units (LGUs). He will be able to use his experience in crafting or appreciating bills that will really benefit our LGUs.
Baguilat hopes to be the first indigenous person to become a senator. As he has always done in the past, he will carry the voices of our indigenous peoples in the Senate. Having an IP as a senator is long overdue, and Baguilat will be a worthy representative of our IPs, no one else is.
My other bet, Atty. Sonny Matula, is a genuine “promdi.” He was born in Negros Occidental but their family moved to Cotabato, and then, Agusan del Sur. He hails from a poor family and Sonny, at one point, became a newspaperboy as he struggled to finish his secondary education. He was fortunate to land scholarships; he went to Mindanao State University (MSU) where he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987.
He worked as a trade union organizer at FFW (of which he is now President) while taking up law. In 1988, he became a lawyer. Matula’s life story is truly inspiring.
I have known Sonny since his younger years. We were both in one political party and I am a living witness to his impeccable character as a person. One would not take a second look at him if one does not know him. He has always been an unassuming, simple person. But really, he was remarkably hardworking, patient, resourceful, trustworthy, and smart.
Matula and I were together in many Party activities and we were molded in the values of social democracy and democratic socialism. If I remember correctly, we both served as Central Committee members. These values that we learned and still adhere to will surely guide Sonny Matula in the senate. He will surely work for the people’s welfare, the country’s sovereignty, human rights, and real democracy.
When he was still studying law, Matula lived at the staff quarters of the Party headquarters with a few others. This was almost adjacent to my office then. Because I often worked until late at night, I would hear Sonny study and read his lessons really loudly. There were times when I would request him to please turn his “volume” down a little bit. We were very happy when he passed the Bar because we knew he worked very hard for it.
In FFW, Sonny moved up from being an organizer to handling cases of trade unions and eventually, as President. Since then, he has won thousands of cases for workers, something that only a few has achieved. if he becomes a senator, Matula will be the staunchest champion of workers’ rights. I am more than 100% sure of this.
As someone who lived in poverty and worked his way up to become a workers’ lawyer, he knows how best to help Filipinos by way of legislation. Sonny Matula, from newsboy to senator is the story to beat.
Teddy Baguilat and Sonny Matula are more than worthy to become senators. They will be public servants in its truest sense. Both have the integrity, experience, capability, track record, and heart. They will push for the Filipinos’ and country’s interests in the senate.
Teddy Baguilat and Sonny Matula will be our champions.
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