Opposition bets hail Duterte’s health care law, support for military, Boracay rehab

Opposition senatorial candidates who have been critical of President Duterte also appreciate some of the good policies of his administration.

During the second “Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate” held on Sunday, four senatorial bets from the “Otso Diretso” opposition slate said Duterte’s support for the military and free health care are good policies.

In the “Fast Talk” segment of the debate backed by the leading network’s media partner Manila Bulletin, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said Duterte’s “support for the military” was something good that he could say about the President.

But Alejano was quick to warn that it should not result in “personal loyalty” to Duterte.

Alejano, a former mutineer who is aspiring to be a senator, is a staunch critic of the President, especially his policy towards China.

For Duterte administration archcritic Mar Roxas, President Duterte deserves praise for funding free health care services to Filipinos, saying that pit is a personal priority he wanted to be carried out by government.

Roxas, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Duterte, said the medical care program is the best accomplishment the Duterte administration achieved.

The former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government was among the eight senatorial candidates who participated in the senatorial debate held Sunday night.

But Roxas, who is seeking a political comeback in the 2019 senatorial bid, remained furious against the TRAIN Law and the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility.

He said it is common sense to reject the reduction of criminal responsibility, pointing out that even movie houses reject minors from entering R-18 rated films.

“Iyung paglinis ng Boracay (The Boracay cleanup),” election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said.

For former House deputy speaker Erin Tañada, Duterte did something right after he signed the Free Irrigation Service Act, a landmark law that provides free irrigation to farmers.

The President signed the free irrigation law or Republic Act No. 10969 in February, 2018.

Just last week, he also signed into law the Universal Health Care Act that seeks to improve access of Filipinos to health services through a national health program and the availability of medicines and health facilities.

Alejano and former Bayan Muna representative Neli Colmenares were asked if they would accept a Cabinet post in the Duterte administration. They answered “No.”

Tañada, a longtime Liberal Party stalwart, was also asked a question about the President. If he has a piece of advice to him, what would it be?

“Kailangan na ipasa coco levy fund bill para sa ating magsasaka (The coco levy fund bill needs to be passed for our farmers),” he said.

On China, Alejano’s advice to Duterte was: 'Wag ibenta ang WPS. 'Di dapat kapalit sa pangungutang ng China. (Don’t sell the West Philippine Sea in exchange for loans from China.)

Former Pagsanjan Mayor Abner Afuang said that if there is indeed a state-sponsored killing, it should target “corrupt” elective officials in Congress.

“Kung uunahin ang mga corrupt sa Congress, pabor ako,” he said when asked if he favors the ”tokhang” police operations against persons involved in drugs.

Afuang, a former journalist and member of the Makati City police force, also thumbed down the lowering of the age of criminality, saying that this will make children mere “collateral damage” in government’s bid to end criminality.

Asked to react to the proposal to change the country’s name, senatorial candidate Agnes Escudero said that if this will be approved, Philippines should be named "Rizal Republic”, after national hero Jose Rizal.

Also in the fast talk segment of the public discourse, Macalintal defended former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo’s victory over the actor Fernando Poe Jr. during the 2004 elections.

“Walang katibayan na siya ay nandaya,” said Macalintal (There is no evidence that she cheated).

On the proposal to change Philippines to Maharlika, Macalintal said government leaders should no longer tinker with the proposal and address the many problems affecting the country.

Macalintal also chided senatorial rivals enjoying the support of President Duterte for failing to show up for the debate.

“Sa mga hindi sumipot sa debate, ang nais nila ay kumapit lamang sa kanilang pangulo,” he stated.