Presidential bet and outgoing Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso (Screengrab)
MANILA – In case he gets elected in the May 2022 elections, Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will push for a regional representation in the Senate.
Domagoso said on Tuesday that aside from the economic provisions that he wants to implement, he will bat for constitutional amendments to make Filipinos well represented in the legislative branch.
He said that under the current set-up, those who are well known, come from a family of politicians, or have the financial capability to mount a Senate bid are the ones likely to get elected.
“This is my proposal, one of the key proposals in amending the Constitution. I will make senate membership to 34 wherein those senators will be elected regionally. Dahil ang gusto ko makakita ako ng senador na Igorot, na IP (indigenous people), kasi binoto siya doon sa rehiyon niya, gusto ko makakita ako ng senador na Moro, o mga iba pang mga kababayan natin sa kani kanilang lugar wherein magkakaroon na sila ng (What I want is to see an Igorot senator, or an IP, because they were elected in their regions, I want to see a senator who is a Moro, or other fellow citizens from different regions wherein they will have) constituency, specific geographic constituency,” Domagoso explained during an ambush interview in General Santos City.
He said his proposed Senate set-up will also have a good effect on the budget deliberation as the senator will defend the spending of the regions they represent.
“My dream and aspiration, you will see a senate full of highly diverse individuals. Hindi na nakokopo ng taga-Metro Manila ‘yung senado (The winners are not only those from Metro Manila), so when they discuss things about our country, everybody is given the chance to be heard, everybody will be given the chance to have a piece of the pie, of the resources of national government,” he said.
Domagoso said it is time for the country to adjust to the call of the times to effectively respond to the needs of the people.
“Baka hindi lang natin alam itong mga IP natin, nitong henerasyon natin, marami na dyan nag-aral. Hindi lang natin alam kasi hindi sila sikat sa buong Pilipinas pero magaling silang indibidwal doon sa kanilang geograpiyang kinabibilangan, so ang dream ko makakakita tayo ng mga ganung senador (Maybe we don’t know, the IPs of the modern generation, many of them have already studied. We just don’t know because they are not popular, but in reality, they are good and intelligent individuals in the geographical area that they belong to)," he said.
Moreover, Domagoso said that it is time to shift to a two-party political system.
This way, he said the disagreements between the president and vice presidents and power struggles will be avoided and their focus will be on serving the country. (PNA)
