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 are senatorial candidate Teddy Casiño’s responses on nine important issues, based on GMA News’ Mga Isyu ng Bayan.
Reproductive Health – FOR
“Babantayan lang natin na hindi magkaroon ng wrong signal or wrong impression that the solution to poverty is population control. Kasi ‘yan ‘yung isang consciously pinaalis namin. It might still lead to that kind of thinking na ang maging emphasis sa anti-poverty strategy is population reduction, so that is one thing na kailangan nating bantayan.”
Sin Tax – AGAINST
“For me, ang more important, saan mapupunta ‘yung pera? It is supposed to be earmarked for health, so ‘yun ang kailangan nating bantayan ngayon.”
Cybercrime – AGAINST
“We hope that the SC will decide on it in favor of free expression and in favor of people’s right to know and be protected from illegal searches and seizures.”
Freedom of Information – FOR
“We withdrew our authorship from the substitute bill dahil may mga provisions doon na pinasok ang Malacañang that tend to restrict instead of expand access to information. Sana pumayag ang Kongreso sa mga amendments na gagawin namin para matiyak that the FOI Bill will really have teeth and will really serve its purpose.”
Anti-Political Dynasty – FOR
“Ang pag-asa niyan, wala sa Kongreso o sa Senado. Ang pag-asa niyan, nasa taong bayan. If the people are able to unite, organize, and mobilize for a passage of a political dynasty bill, that’s the only way that it will pass.”
Divorce – NO STAND
“I think it’s something that we should already start discussing. We have to address the reality that there are really couples who cannot live together. Kailangang pag-usapan na, but I think it will undergo a long, long process of discernment and I do not see in the near future na ito ay magiging realistic pa.”
Death Penalty – AGAINST
“We have always been against the death penalty dahl tingin natin, given the flaws of our judicial system, ang mabibiktima talaga dito ay ‘yung mahihirap. The deterrent to a crime is not the penalty but the certainty of being caught.”
Same-Sex Marriage – NO STAND
“Ang malaking question pa sa akin ay ‘yung granting them legal recognition. It’s something I still have to study and learn. I’m willing to hear both sides, what the benefits and disadvantages are. I have an open mind.”
Total Gun Ban – AGAINST
“Ang nakikita kong problema ngayon is more of the failure to enforce the existing laws. Ipatupad muna natin kung ano ‘yung nasa batas at saka natin pag-usapan kung dapat baguhin. Hindi naman natin naipapatupad ‘yung kasalukuyang batas, what more a gun ban.”
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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)
