Commitment to serve continues

My fellow Filipinos, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who worked hard and who demonstrated their support these past few months for what would have been my upcoming campaign. I am especially thankful to my supporters, party leaders, and the network of people who encouraged and continued to believe in me. I cannot express how indebted I feel to each of you.

While we are saddened by the developments that led us to this point, let me make it clear that I stand squarely behind my decision to withdraw from the presidential race. It has often been said that politics is harder on the family than on anyone else and that has been true in this case.

After having explained to President Rodrigo Duterte my decision to withdraw from the race, I also ask all of you to extend me the same understanding and respect for my decision that he showed me. We all know how important family is in our lives.

I also appeal to our supporters and those who are waiting at the Commission on Elections main office in the hope of convincing me to change my mind. I thank all of you and appreciate all of your efforts. But I have already said my piece. I will go there at the right time. Most importantly, we do not want anyone to be exposed to danger, especially as the

It has often been said that politics is harder on the family than on anyone else and that has been true in this case.

pandemic is still upon us.

Even when I withdraw from this particular race, my desire to serve our fellow Filipinos does not end here. Our country is still facing unprecedented challenges and it is imperative that we come together and help President Duterte find who among the candidates will continue his legacy and the many good things he started for the country.

This candidate must embody the same political will and love for country espoused by our current President.

One must carry out the plans mapped out by the administration to raise the country from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and build on the programs that have benefited the Filipino people in the past five years.

In the meantime, I will continue to do my utmost best to serve you in my capacity as senator now, and in any capacity that my destiny would lead me. The pandemic and its socio-economic impacts are still the most important issues confronting our nation which need our utmost attention.

We need to continually reinforce the government’s Covid-19 response by passing measures that will address the existing gaps in the health care system. It is for this reason that we spent the past year pushing for the enactment of 24 hospital bills that will expand the capacity and improve the ability of our local health care systems, especially in vulnerable, critical and farflung areas, among others.

Last Saturday, after distributing assistance to my fellow Davaoeños, I emphasized the need to establish fully capable “super” hospitals in every region in the country akin to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City or the Philippine General Hospital in Manila City. These facilities will provide comprehensive medical services in every region, making it possible for particularly poor and indigent patients suffering from more complicated issues to be treated without having to go to Metropolitan areas away from their families.

Health care is a right and should be readily and comprehensively be accessible to those who need it because each life is important and should be protected. While there have been notable efforts done by this administration to reach this goal, the lessons from the ongoing pandemic have taught us how important it is to further invest on our health and well-being.

We must also expedite the vaccination effort, particularly among the lowest income groups, in light of the emergence of the Omicron variant which may threaten to trigger a new wave of Covid-19 cases. That is why I have also suggested providing cash incentives to the poorest of the poor to get fully vaccinated.

As of 4 December, a total of 91.45 million doses of vaccines against Covid-19 were administered, of which 52.99 million Filipinos got their first dose while 37.98 million of our people are fully vaccinated. More than 465,000 booster shots were also administered. We now have a total of 146.49 million doses received by our country.

Also last Saturday, during the last day of the 57th Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) Annual Convention, I lauded their efforts to raise the standards of clinical laboratory science in the country. The pandemic has highlighted a critical need for more medical technologists to manage the high volume of tests and I vow to push for policies that will strengthen the national health workforce.

As I write this, my outreach teams and I are in Mindanao to deliver much-needed aid to communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic and other crisis situations.

From 30 November to 5 December, we organized various relief operations in coordination with the relevant government and local partners. I personally led the distribution of aid to 1,750 indigent residents, displaced workers, street sweepers and barangay tanods and health workers at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City; 993 members of the LGBT community and 2,539 flood victims in Davao City; and 408 fire victims or 105 families in Mandaluyong City.

Moreover, our teams assisted 6,300 solo parents, vendors, farmers, hog raisers and indigent families in Macabebe and the cities of Angeles and San Fernando in Pampanga;

653 hog raisers in San Fernando City in La

Union; 221 more hog raisers in Ilocos Sur;

823 indigent families in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; 493 barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars in Imus City; and 300 residents from various vulnerable sectors in Iloilo City.

Our teams, likewise, extended aid to 10,000 indigent residents from different barangays of Davao City; 250 solo parents and members of the LGBT community in Zamboanga City; 659 solo parents, senior citizens and barangay functionaries in Lupon, Davao Oriental; and 1,000 indigent recipients in Malita, Davao Occidental.

Meanwhile, to help them recover from both natural and man-made disasters and other incidents, we reached out to 2,109 victims of Typhoon Maring in Aringay, Bacnotan, Bagulin, Bangar and Caba in La Union; 275 fire victims in Lapu-Lapu City; nine families who are victims of fire in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City; 87 in Zamboanga City; 40 families in Barangay Nangka, Marikina City and finally, seven families in Barangay Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Piñas City.

Let us continue to cooperate and remain vigilant even amid the many gains in our pandemic response. Rest assured that I will continue to advance the welfare of our people, particularly the poor, hopeless and the helpless. While I have made a firm decision with regard to not running, my commitment to serve continues.

I will continue to do my utmost best to serve you in my capacity as senator now, and in any capacity that my destiny would lead me.