Tolentino pushes for ‘green justice’
Administration senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino has underscored the need to pass a Philippine environmental law that will implement what he called the “concept of green justice” in the country.
Tolentino, who is coming out strong in latest senatorial poll surveys, has vowed to pursue such legislation as part of his legislative priorities in the Senate.
Speaking at the launch of the first online political rally called “KakamPH” over the weekend, Tolentino said the green justice concept seeks to guarantee the prosecution of persons and firms blamed as the cause of damage to life and property during natural and man-made disasters.
“Nakakalungkot kasi na hanggang sa ngayon, sa dinanas nating krisis, baha, landslide at iba pa, walang nananagot pagkatapos ng isang trahedya,” (It saddens me that until now despite all the krisis, floods landslides and others, nobody has ever been found liable for these tragedies)," he said.
Tolentino, former presidential political adviser to President Duterte, noted that illegal loggers have not been punished for causing floods that have maimed or killed numerous people.
The former chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, cited the deaths and physical injuries suffered by the public when a supermarket in Porac, Pampanga collapsed due to the April 22 earthquake.
“Sino mananagot at magbabayad sa babaeng naputulan ng hita?” (Who will be held liable and will pay for the woman whose leg was amputated?)" he asked.
“There should be some form of retribution, compensation to make the environment whole again. Ibalik sa dating estado ang mother nature at bigyan ang mga biktima ng compensation,” he told the KakamPH sortie that was streamed live on Facebook last Saturday.
Top administration bets Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and Senator JV Ejercito joined Tolentino in the launch of the l KakamPH, the first “on-line” political
rally that turned viral over the weekend.
Also present during the first live streaming of the trailblazing cyberspace sortie were former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong, Dr. Willie Ong and former Tourism Secretary Rafael Alunan.
Staged by the KakamPH, a Facebook group formed by pro-administration bloggers, the on-line rally was held in an undisclosed place in Greenhiills, San Juan.
Among the event’s hosts were entertainment personalities Arnel Ignacio and Jimmy Bondoc, radio commentator lawyer Bruce Rivera, Carlos Munda of Mindavote and former Tourism Undersecretary Kat Castro.
“This is a new concept of spreading information, we can reach millions. People don’t have to be exposed in the heat of the sun to hear the platform of governance of candidates,” said Bondoc.
At its live streaming, KakamPH collected 2,300 shares in the early goings of the three-hour Facebook event.
Go, who has given re-electionists Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe a strong challenge for the No. 1 spot, vowed to pursue legislative measures that would address the vital needs overseas Filipino workers and their respective families, among others.
“Kung paano mapapabilis ang serbisyo publiko, iyon ang gustong mangyari ni Pangulong Duterte. Kapag mabagal, diyan nagsisimula ang red tape,” Go stated.
The former special assistant to the president also stressed that he is supportive of proposals for the conduct of localized peace talks between government and communism advocates.
“Sino ba naman ang gustong makipagpatayan tayo sa kapwa Filipino,” (Nobody wants Filipinos to kill their own,) Go stated as he called an end to violence.
Ejercito called for the creation of specialty medical centers in key areas in Visayas and Mindanao to allow Filipinos have easier access to better medical care.
For his part, De la Rosa chided the opposition for accusing him and other Duterte-backed senators of being liable to compromise the principle of checks and balance once they become senators.
“Iba ang dinidiktahan at iba ang supportive. Hindi ako magpapadikta sa Malacanang pero I will be cooperative,” (Being dictated upon is different from being supportive. I will not be commanded by Malacañang but I will be cooperative,)" he stated.
Chong, who claimed to have become a victim of poll fraud as a result of the Smartmatic voting system, vowed to continue his fight for fair and honest elections.
For his part, Alunan said the Philippines has a strong legal backing in its West Philippine sea claims.
Ong vowed to pursue better medical program for all Filipinos.