(Erin Tañada answers questions from the press at the Imang Nene restaurant in the City of San Fernando on Wednesday. Photo by Ashley Manabat)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The highest inflation rate registered last month at 6.7 percent and the prevailing economic woes is “favorable” for the eight Liberal Party (LP) senatorial bets.
This was the assessment made by LP senatorial bet Lorenzo “Erin” Taňada III when asked of the LP’s chances in next year’s polls vis-à-vis the high popularity rating of President Duterte.
Taňada met the press at the Imang Nene Restaurant inside the Orchids Garden here on Wednesday as part of his visit to Pampanga.
Taňada noted that President Duterte already lost 20 percentage points in his popularity ratings as he expressed doubt that his popularity will be transferable to his chosen candidates.
“We believe that the popularity of the president is only for himself and not transferable to his candidates,” he said.
“It will also depend on the first quarter of next year because if the increasing prices of basic commodities will continue, then that will be favorable to opposition candidates,” he added. “That situation may prove beneficial to us,” he observed.
LP to respect decision of Oca
When asked if the LP leadership is bent on pushing former mayor and congressman Oscar S. Rodriguez to make the switch for a mayoralty run in this capital city, Taňada said “it’s all up to him.”
“We leave it to the decision of Oca. He still has some time to decide,” he said. “I know that there is a clamor from some sectors but if he does decide to run, the leadership will welcome his coming back in the political arena and if he decides not to proceed, then we will have to respect his decision,” Taňada said.
“So, at the end of the day, we will leave it up to him to decide,” he said even as he stated that the LP discourages switching of candidates.
Legislative agenda
Taňada said if elected, he will give priority to employment generation and the agricultural sector especially the farmers.
He said he will lead the fight against poverty and will work on livelihood for the people.
Taňada said TRAIN 2 is doubtful because it will remove tax incentives and tax holidays of companies in Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) regions.
“If these will be removed, three is now a threat from these companies to locate abroad or find another place,” Taňada said. “This will lead to more unemployment adding to the 9.8 million already unemployed,” he noted.
On Constitutional change
Taňada warned that the administration wants to get 3/4s of congress because that will pave the way to change the Constitution. “So, we would like to prevent that,” he said.
“If they want to amend the Constitution because of the so-called Imperial Manila where resources are concentrated, why don’t we just amend the Local Government Code (LGC)?” he asked.
“So, if it is a question of sharing, let us amend the LGC to reverse it by putting more resources to the LGUs and less to the national government,” he proposed.
“We can also amend the Constitution by allowing the LGUs to have direct access to funds,” he added.
On current events
Taňada said the LP is now closely watching the Philippines and China on whatever agreement they may have entered.
Chinese President Xi Jin Ping is currently on a state visit in the country.
“There should be transparency with whatever document that they signed,” he said as he reiterated the LP’s call for transparency.
“Despite the letter of intents and memorandum of understandings that were already signed,” he said, “the LP is still waiting for the formal documents that will be signed by the Philippines and China on what projects they will make here especially with the issue of the West Philippine Sea.”
“Will these projects really help us, or will we be placed in danger by the so-called death trap warned by the US?” he asked.
Taňada said lawmakers should closely scrutinize any document signed by both countries.
Taňada is the grandson of the grand old man of Philippine politics Lorenzo Taňada who is also the longest serving senator in Philippine history and the son of former senator Wigberto Taňada.
He is also confident that the Taňada legacy of nationalism and principled governance will carry him to the senate.
The former representative of Quezon Province is confident that the LP bets will be supported by the Kapampangan electorate despite him pursuing the impeachment complaint against former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
