Elections are coming. If you are a voter, you should know who you are voting for and where they stand, especially when it comes to issues of secularism. Here, we gathered the responses of senatorial candidates on nine important issues, based on GMA News’ Mga Isyu ng Bayan. First up is Samson Alcantara of the SJS Party.
Reproductive Health – AGAINST
“I am filing a petition to intervene and I’m going to challenge the provisions of the RH bill. Ang inire-raise ko doon, ‘yung freedom of speech, because you can be penalized if one criticizes the program. And that is, in my belief, a violation of the freedom of speech. You’re entitled to your opinion. Maybe the government does not agree with your opinion, but you should not be penalized for espousing or adapting a different opinion.”
Sin Tax – FOR
“I think it’s a very good law because this will more or less protect the health of the people. We know very well that smoking is dangerous to a person’s health, likewise drinking also, intoxication may cause trouble. And the funds will be utilized in order to develop new industries, better than the tobacco industry.”
Cybercrime – AGAINST
“That is now a subject of petitions and one of the questions that I would like to raise is that [whether] the provision taking all offenses committed through the use of the computer could also be considered offenses under the Revised Penal Code. And the penalties — that is one of my objections [in] that particular law.”
Freedom of Information – FOR
“That should be passed because if we want, really, to minimize or stamp out corruption, this is the way, because now the citizens can really access the expenditures that have been taken by this local government [or] national government official. This will force them. They cannot hide because of the Freedom of Information [law]… And it’s already constitutional mandate —- the freedom of information, the right to know. That is part of our political rights.”
Anti-Political Dynasty – FOR
“That is one of my principal platforms, the enactment of a law defining what is a political dynasty and prohibiting such. Because as long as we have political dynasties here in the Philippines, wala — habang may dinastiya, mahirap ka. Because now the political power, as well as the wealth of the country, will be in the hands of the few. So wala talaga tayong progress.”
Divorce – AGAINST
“Meron na tayong batas diyan, ‘yung family code, where the annulment of marriage is allowed, for example because of psychological incapacity. That’s equivalent to divorce. Kaya kasi mahirap ‘yan dito sa Pilipinas, if we allow that, anong mangyayari sa atin? Isang Pilipina, diborsiyada five times? Parang ‘di yata maganda ‘yon. At saka that will affect the family, especially the children.”
Death Penalty – AGAINST
“The death penalty is not a deterrent. As a matter of fact, it might encourage the commission of crimes. ‘Yung mga taong gusto nang mamatay — he commits a crime in order that he will subjected to the death penalty.”
Same-Sex Marriage – AGAINST
“Sa akin, parang ‘di maganda dahil man and woman ang marriage.”
Total Gun Ban – AGAINST
“Pwede ‘yan kung walang loose firearms. Total gun ban, sinong maaapektuhan? ‘Yung mga law-abiding citizens. Paano ‘yung mga masasamang loob? Sila [ang] merong baril… I will agree to that provided that the government has already assured that all loose firearms have been confiscated.”
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Who among the 33 senatorial candidates matches your views best? Politi-ko.com can help you find out. (From the makers of Rollcall.ph)
