MANILA – The mid-term elections will serve as vital part of the country’s democratic way of life, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
This, according to Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) wrapped up the five-day filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for the 2019 mid-term polls.
“While it is inevitable for some to treat it a referendum of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we accept it as an independent venue which highlights that sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said the outcome of the 2019 elections is also relevant in reinforcing President Duterte’s endeavors to fulfill the public’s call “for genuine and meaningful” change.
“Given the high level of appreciation exhibited by the people in favor of this administration, we look forward to newly-elected officials in Congress coordinating with us towards the advancement of vital pieces of legislation that ensure the promotion of the people’s welfare,” Panelo said.
“We are similarly eager to work with our 2019 chosen leaders at the local level for convergences and operations for peace and order, social welfare and disaster risk management, among others,” he added.
He said the winners of the upcoming elections will become effective public servants if they work hand in hand “regardless of whatever party they are representing”.
“This way, we do not only become more effective public servants, but more importantly, we become the bastion of the democratic voice of our people,” Panelo said.
He said a lot has been accomplished, but there is still work to be done.”
A total of 152 individuals, composed of first timers, former and incumbent senators, trooped to the Comelec headquarters to file their COCs for senator.
Former members of Duterte’s Cabinet were among the senatorial. These are former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Presidential Political Adviser Francis Tolentino, Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go.
Old-timers led by 94-year-old Juan Ponce Enrile and Sergio Osmena III also joined senatorial race.
Other positions at stake in next year’s elections include seats for party-lists, the House of Representatives as well as provincial, city and municipal positions. ( Jelly Musico/PNA)
