LABOR leader and senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman has called on voters to bear in mind the younger generation when they fill out their ballots with the government officials they will elect to office, particularly the 12 senatorial candidates who will comprise half of the upper legislative chamber.
De Guzman likewise voiced concern about the rate movie stars in the twilight of their careers are flocking to the Senate and other government posts banking on their popularity to secure seats despite the absence of any track record, governance platform, or even a relevant advocacy.
He also chided Sen. Robin Padilla, himself a former action star, for endorsing fellow actor Philip “Ipe” Salvador, noting that the latter only has his performance on the silver screen to sell to the electorate hoping to win enough votes.
Salvador is running for the Senate under the banner of the PDP-Laban, which is headed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Ano nga ba meron kay Ipe para i-endorso niya ito? Sa dami ng action star, na karamihan wala nang movie offers, sa Senado, para bang dun na sila magsu-shooting (What has Ipe to offer to get such an endorsement? All these action stars who are no longer getting any movie offers trooping to the Senate, one would think they want to do a film shoot in there),” the labor leader said.
De Guzman said celebrities who do not have anything of value to offer to the position they are aspiring for should be mindful of the Filipino taxpayers who will be the ones paying their fat salaries and benefits.
“Walang meron kay Ipe liban sa isa siyang artista at ang pinupuhunan ay ang kasikatan niya noon. Kung gayon, paano naman tayong mga Pilipino kung wala naman palang linalapag na plataporma itong si Ipe liban sa murahin ang mga kritikal sa pamilyang Duterte (Ipe brings nothing to the table except his being a former actor and he is betting on that former popularity to get elected. What do we get out of someone who does not even have a platform aside from cursing those who are critical of the Duterte family),” he added.
The Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) senatorial bet urged Filipino voters to give greater value to their votes and the impact of their choices to their own lives and those of their loved ones.
“Mahalaga ang ating boto. Pagisipan natin mabuti kung ang ihahalal ba natin ay kaya nating ipagmalaki sa ating mga anak balang araw (Each vote is precious. We should make up our minds if the person we are giving our trust to is someone we can proudly introduce to our children in the future),” he said.
