This 3-part series highlights the science backgrounds and advocacies of the senatorial candidates in the upcoming 2019 Philippine elections.
Hey there, Filipino voter! How well do you know the 2019 senatorial candidates’ science-related advocacies?
These article cover the following areas of each candidate’s recent accomplishments and advocacies related to science policies: education, energy, food and agriculture, environment and sustainability, and healthcare. We’ve also included the candidates’ take on legalizing medical marijuana (House Bill No. 6517).
In this installment, let’s take a look at the candidates under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition.
Sonny Angara
Notable experience: Senator – Senate of the Philippines (2013-2019)
Education
SBN-1304: Free Higher Education for All Act – An Act Providing for a Full Tuition Subsidy for Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCS), and Appropriating Funds Thereof
SBN-1874: Entrepreneurial Agricultural Education Act – An Act to Develop and Strengthen the Agricultural Education and Training in the Country Through the Institutionalization of Manpower Development for Agricultural Entrepreneurship in the Post-Secondary Level
SBN-1534: Magna Carta for Scientist, Engineers, Researchers – An Act Amending Republic Act No. 8439, Otherwise Known as the ‘Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in the Government
Healthcare
SBN-1537: The Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act – An Act Providing for the Scaling Up of Nutrition for the First 1,000 Days of Life Through a Strengthened Integrated Strategy for Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition, Reconstituting for the Purpose the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Appropriating Funds Therefore and for Other Purposes
SBN-1896: Universal Health Care Act – An Act Instituting Universal Health Care for All Filipinos, Prescribing Reforms in the Health Care System, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes
SBN-972: Free Medicine for the Poor Act – An Act Establishing a Free Medicine Assistance Program for the Poor and Providing Funds Therefor
SBN-1850: National Integrated Cancer Control Act – An Act Institutionalizing a National Integrated Cancer Control Program and Appropriating Funds Therefor
SBN-1573: Emergency Medical Services Systems (EMMS) Act – An Act Institutionalizing An Emergency Medical Services System, Providing for the Establishment, Supervision and Regulation of Emergency Medical Services Profession, and Appropriating Funds Therefor
SBN-1390: Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act
SBN-1354: Mental Health Act of 2017 – An Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of Enhancing the Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting and Protecting Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, Neurologic and Psychosocial Health Services, appropriating Funds therefor and for other purposes.
SBN-1157: Medical Scholarship Program – An Act Establishing a Medical Scholarship Program to Ensure the Availability of Doctors in Every Province Nationwide
Sustainability
SBN-1873: Straw Regulation Act
SBN-1811: Public Parks Development Authority
SBN-1328: Greening Act of 2017
SBN-1568: Sustainable Transportation Act of 2017 – An Act Promoting Sustainable and Alternative Modes of Transportation and Other Mobility Options to Improve Air Quality, Increase Efficiency, Reduce Congestion and Contribute to Positive Health Impacts in Our Society
SBN-1328: Greening Act of 2017 – An Act Providing for the Urban and Countryside Greening in the Philippines
SBN-1205: Sustainable Development Goals and Ambisyon Natin 2040 Fund Act – An Act Establishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Ambisyon Natin 2040 Fund
Disaster Preparedness
SBN-1994: Disaster Resilience Act of 2018 – An Act Creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, Defining its Powers and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor
SBN-1944: Teaching of Disaster Awareness and Disaster Mitigation – An Act Requiring the Teaching of Disaster Awareness and Disaster Mitigation as Part of the Curriculum of All Primary and Secondary Schools, and for Other Purposes
Space Exploration
SBN-1983: Philippine Space Act – An Act Establishing the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy and Creating the Philippine Space Agency, and for Other Purposes
Energy
SBN-1950: Murang Kuryente Act – An Act Reducing Electricity Rates by Allocating the Net National Government Share From the Malampaya Natural Gas Project for the Payment of the Stranded Contract Costs and Stranded Debts of the National Power Corporation
SBN-1804: Installation of 200 Watts Solar Panels in Public School Buildings – An Act Mandating the Installation of 200 Watts Solar Panels in Public School Buildings Where Electricity Is Not Available
Pia Cayetano
Notable experience: Representative – 2nd District of Taguig (2016-2019)
Healthcare
HB00581 – An Act Strengthening The Philippine Comprehensive Policy On HIV And AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care And Support And Establishing The Philippine National HIV And AIDS Program, Revising For The Purpose Republic Act No. 8504, Otherwise Known As “The Philippine Aids Prevention And Control Act Of 1998”, And Appropriating Funds Therefor
HB03341 – An Act Establishing An Integrated Utilization And Promotion Of Folic Acid Food Fortification And Supplementation
HB06452 – An Act Establishing A National Mental Health Policy For The Purpose Of Enhancing The Delivery Of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting And Protecting The Rights Of Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, Neurologic And Psychosocial Health Services, And Appropriating Funds Therefor
HB06617 – An Act Strengthening The Philippine Comprehensive Policy On Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) And Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Prevention, Treatment, Care And Support, And Establishing The Philippine National HIV And Aids Plan And Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing For The Purpose Republic Act No. 8504, Otherwise Known As The “Philippine AIDS Prevention And Control Act Of 1998”
Environment
HB09088 – An Act Providing for the Sustainable Management of Forests and Forest Lands and For Other Purposes
Bato Dela Rosa
Notable experience: Director-General – Bureau of Corrections (2018)
On Medical Marijuana: In favor.
JV Ejercito
Notable experience: Senator – Senate of the Philippines (2013-2019)
Education
SBN-1304: Free Higher Education for All Act – An Act Providing for a Full Tuition Subsidy for Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCS), and Appropriating Funds Thereof
Healthcare
SBN-1896: Universal Health Care Act – An Act Instituting Universal Health Care for All Filipinos, Prescribing Reforms in the Health Care System, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes
SBN-1537: The Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act – An Act Providing for the Scaling Up of Nutrition for the First 1,000 Days of Life Through a Strengthened Integrated Strategy for Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition, Reconstituting for the Purpose the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Appropriating Funds Therefore and for Other Purposes
SBN-1837: Health Facilities Regulation Act of 2018 – An Act Strengthening the Regulation of Health Facilities in the Philippines, Repealing for the Purpose Republic Act No. 4226, Otherwise Known as the Hospital Licensure Act, and for Other Purposes
Senate bills regarding the improvement of several healthcare facilities, including
SBN-1744: E-Cigarette Regulation Act of 2018
SBN-2062: Mariveles Mental Hospital
SBN-2054: St. Bernadette Children and Maternity Hospital
SBN-2053: Teodoro N. Pepito Memorial Hospital
SBN-1968: Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in the City of Marikina
SBN-1960: Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Batangas Medical Center
Environment and Disaster Preparedness
SBN-1125: Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Act
SBN-1105: National Hazard Mapping Act of 2016
SBN-1101: Declaring the Province of Biliran a Mining-Free Zone
SBN-1388: Recoverable System Loss Act
Agriculture
SBN-1199: Free Irrigation Services Act of 2016 – An Act Abolishing the Imposition of Irrigation Service Fees and Such Other Related Fees, Amending for the Purpose Certain Sections of Republic Act No. 3601, Presidential Decree No. 552 and Presidential Decree No. 1702
Sustainability
SBN-2176: Comprehensive Atomic Regulation Act – An Act Providing for Comprehensive Atomic Regulation, Creating for the Purpose, the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission, and Appropriating Funds Therefor
SBN-1959: Comprehensive Nuclear Regulation Act – An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Nuclear Regulation, Creating for the Purpose, the Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Appropriating Funds Therefor
Industry and Science Professionals
SBN-1533: Balik Scientist Act – An Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purpose
SBN-1317: Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act – An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof
On Medical Marijuana: In favor.
Jinggoy Estrada
Notable experience: Senator – Senate of the Philippines (2004-2016)
Education
From the descriptive summary of the legislative agenda of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada: This Representation has always believed that an educated citizenry would result in a progressive society. Thus, several bills have been filed in order to help underprivileged but deserving people to have access even to collegiate-level education through the institutionalization of scholarships and grants. With the strained budget that government has to face, these measures are the first step towards the attainment of a full access to education policy which this Representation hopes to see materialize during this Congress. (SB-854; SB-882; SB-892; SB-895; SB-907; SB-908; SB-909; SB-914; SB-912; SB-910; SB-913; SB-915; SB-951 to 953; SB-955)
Bong Go
Notable experience: Special Assistant to the President (2016-2018)
Healthcare
Led the launch of Malasakit Center at the Lung Center of the Philippines, a joint initiative of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office where patients can avail of medical services without any needed forms or requirements.
Dong Mangudadatu
Notable experience: Representative – 2nd District of Maguindanao (2013-2019)
Environment
HB06893 – An Act Regulating the Use of Treatment Technology for Municipal and Hazardous Wastes, Repealing for the Purpose Section 20 of Repblic Act No. 8749, Entitled “The Philippine Clean Air Act”
Energy
HB02226 – An Act Prescribing the Regular Calibration of Fuel Pumps in All Filling Stations and Imposing Penalties For the Violation Thereof and For Other Purposes
Disaster Preparedness
HB08165 – An Act Creating the Department of Disaster Resilience, Defining its Powers and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor
Mangudadatu claims that there is a huge potential for industrialization of the natural gas deposits in Liguasan Marsh, in his hometown of Maguindanao. He claims that the reserve can produce 583 billion barrels of natural gas and bring in an income of 1 trillion USD for the country. Pursuing the industrialization of this natural gas reserve can allow the government to serve the Filipinos better.
Mangudadatu is the vice chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Resources. In an interview with Manila Bulletin, he declared his intention to push for the transformation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources into a full government department. Our marine diversity will drive the Philippines into an advantageous position in the Asia-Pacific, he claims.
On Medical Marijuana: Not in favor.
Jiggy Manicad
Notable experience: Journalist
In a campaign sortie in Tacloban, Leyte held on March 22 of this year, Manicad declared his platforms to ensure food security. His priority is to “strengthen our agricultural sector by helping farmers and giving them subsidies, especially for diesel and gasoline that they need for their equipment,” he said.
If granted the senate seat, Manicad will push for benefits to the coconut industry and for the establishment of agricultural research hubs.
On Medical Marijuana: Not in favor.
Imee Marcos
Notable experience: Governor – Province of Ilocos Norte (2010-2019)
Marcos has indicated her commitment to pursuing renewable and clean energy. “Renewables have become the essence of Ilocos Norte as we become the poster child for wind-power in Southeast Asia as early as 2003, seeking today to produce much of our energy always in renewable, clean, alternative sources,” she said in an ASEAN forum held in Plaza Del Norte, Laoag City in December 2017. Ilocos Norte is cited to be “the renewable energy capital of Southeast Asia.” There is a ban on black sand mining and coal power production in the province.
If granted a senate seat, Governor Marcos will push for government effort to produce more electricity from renewables and to not be dependent on imported oil.
Marcos has also proposed a “rescue package” program for coconut farmers to relieve them of the slump in domestic prices of copra.
Koko Pimentel
Notable experience: Senate President – Senate of the Philippines (2016-2018)
Education and Industry
SBN-2052: R&D Act of 2018 – An Act Creating a Research and Development Council of the Philippines, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes
SBN-1534: Magna Carta for Scientist, Engineers, Researchers – An Act Amending Republic Act No. 8439, Otherwise Known as the ‘Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in the Government
SBN-1533: Balik Scientist Act – An Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purpose
Healthcare
SBN-1801: Prohibiting the Imposition of Interest on Unpaid Hospital Bills and Medical Expenses of Patients – An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Interest And/Or Penalty Charges on Unpaid Hospital Bills and Medical Expenses of Patients Who Earn Minimum Wage or Less
Agriculture
SBN-111: Framework Act on the Right to Adequate Food
Environment
SBN-2144: Solid Waste Importation Ban
On Medical Marijuana: In favor.
Bong Revilla
Notable experience: Senator – Senate of the Philippines (2004-2016)
Environment and Sustainability
SBN-2613: Plastic Bag Regulation Act of 2015 – An Act Regulating the Production, Importation, Sale, Provision, Use, Recovery, Collection, Recycling and Disposal of Plastic Bags
SBN-2612: National Sustainable Sanitation Act of 2015 – An Act Strengthening the Sustainable Sanitation Program of the Country by Reorganizing the Sanitation Unit of the Department of Health and Providing Funds Therefor
SBN-961: Philippine Fisheries Code – An Act Amending Sections 91 and 97 of Republic Act No. 8550, Otherwise Known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, and Providing Stiffer Penalties Therefor
Education
SBN-290: Nismed Act of 2013 – An Act Creating the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes
Industry
SBN-1025: Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Environmental Protection – An Act to Rationalize the Administration and Enforcement of All Laws on Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Environmental Protection and Other Purposes
Disaster Preparedness
SBN-1017: Disaster Awareness and Disaster Mitigation – An Act Requiring the Teaching of Disaster Awareness and Disaster Mitigation as Part of the Curriculum of All Primary and Secondary Schools, and for Other Purposes
Agriculture
SBN-293: High Value Crops Development Act – An Act Amending Sections 3, 5, and 7 of Republic Act No. 7900, Otherwise Known as the High Value Crops Development Act of 1995 and for Other Purposes
SBN-282: Agriculture Education Act – An Act Rationalizing Agriculture Education in the Philippines by Establishing a National System of Agriculture Education Institutions, Providing for Mechanisms of Implementation, and for Other Purposes
Healthcare
SBN-2405: Samar Island Medical Center – An Act Converting the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman, Northern Samar Into the Samar Island Medical Center Under the Supervision, Control and Management of the Department of Health
SBN-2404: Zamboanga City Medical Center (Increasing the Bed Capacity) – An Act Increasing the Minimum Bed Capacity of the Zamboanga City Medical Center From Two Hundred Fifty (250) to Five Hundred (500), Amending for the Purpose Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7272
SBN-2403: Mariveles District Hospital (Bataan) – An Act Establishing the Mariveles District Hospital in the Municipality of Mariveles, Province of Bataan and Appropriating Funds Therefore
Francis Tolentino
Notable experience: Presidential Adviser – Political Affairs (2017-2018). Chairperson – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) (2010 to 2015). Tolentino is a Doctor of Judicial Science in International Environmental Law from Tulane University Law School (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
In an interview by Manila Bulletin, Tolentino vouches for a more rigorous implementation of Republic Act 1000 or the Agricultural Credit Reform Act to swiftly open credit to farmers and fishermen to give them a fighting chance against the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Tolentino petitioned to the congress the creation of the “Bureau of Drainage Systems and Services” in 2013.
Cynthia Villar
Notable experience: Senator – Senate of the Philippines (2013-2019)
Agriculture
SBN-2203: Organic Farming and Other Sustainable Agriculture – An Act Amending Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010
SBN-1976: Strengthened Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Law – An Act to Further Strengthen the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Repealing Pd No. 1468, Otherwise Known as the Revised Coconut Industry Code of 1978, as Amended
SBN-1758: Livestock Industry Development Act of 2018 – An Act to Restructure and Rationalize the Livestock Industry in Order to Strengthen its Development, Protection and Regulatory Functions, Including the Promotion of Dairy and Native Animals and to Provide for a Livestock Development Fund, and for Other Purposes
SBN-1641: The Philippine Fisheries Profession Act – An Act Regulating the Practice of Fisheries Profession in the Philippines, Creating for the Purpose a Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries and Appropriating Funds Therefor
SBN-1465: Free Irrigation Service to Small Farmers Act of 2017 – An Act Providing Free Irrigation Service to Small Farmers, Revoking for the Purpose the Corporate Status of the National Irrigation Administration, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes
SBN-1233: Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act – An Act Creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, Providing for its Management and Utilization, and for Other Purposes
SBN-1206: Banana Industry Development Act of 2016 – An Act Creating the Banana Industry Development Council and Providing Funds Thereof and for Other Purposes
SBN-144: Philippine Native Animal Development Act of 2014 – An Act Promoting the Scientific Propagation, Processing, Utilization and Development of Philippine Native Animals, Hereby Creating the Philippine Native Animal Development Center
SBN-143: Philippine Crop Protection Act of 2016 – An Act Establishing the National Crop Protection Program, Creating the Philippine Crop Protection Agency by Consolidating the Disparate Crop Protection, Quarantine and Pest Management Efforts, Activities, and Agencies, into a Holistic and Integrated Service to Promote the Sustainability and Greater Productivity of the Philippine Agriculture Sector, and for Other Purposes
SBN-142: Dairy Development Act of 2016 – An Act Merging the Philippine Carabao Center and the National Dairy Authority Into the Philippine National Dairy Development Agency to Provide Greater Focus on the Accelerated Development of the Dairy Industry and to Increase Production of Dairy Animals in the Philippines, Providing a Ruminant Development Fund Therefore, and for Other Purposes
Healthcare
In 2013, Senator Villar came under fire for comments related to the nursing profession in a televised interview. She has since apologized for those comments.
SBN-1896: Universal Health Care Act – An Act Instituting Universal Health Care for All Filipinos, Prescribing Reforms in the Health Care System, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes
SBN-1537: The Healthy Nanay and Bulilit Act – An Act Providing for the Scaling Up of Nutrition for the First 1,000 Days of Life Through a Strengthened Integrated Strategy for Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition, Reconstituting for the Purpose the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Appropriating Funds Therefore and for Other Purposes
SBN-1850: National Integrated Cancer Control Act – An Act Institutionalizing a National Integrated Cancer Control Program and Appropriating Funds Therefor
Environment and Sustainability
SBN-327: Coastal Environment Program (CEP) Act of 2016
SBN-719: National Sustainable Sanitation Act of 2016
SBN-326: National Mangrove Forest Protection and Preservation Act of 2016
Stay tuned for the next installment. If we missed anything here, let us know! –MF
References
- https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/228646-sara-duterte-thinks-of-leaving-hugpong-ng-pagbabago
- http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/01/27/medical-marijuana-cnn-philippines-senatorial-forum.html
- http://www.senate.gov.ph/lis/leg_sys.aspx?congress=17&type=bill
- https://www.manilatimes.net/bong-go-leads-launch-of-malasakit-center-in-qc/493158/
- https://www.manilatimes.net/food-security-is-my-priority-manicad/529259/
- https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067837
- http://www.zajiddongmangudadatu.com/about.php
- https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/jestrada_agenda.asp
- https://www.facebook.com/AttyKoko/posts/senator-koko-sponsored-bills-passed-into-law-yourworkingsenator-parasabayan-they/976350549109819/
- http://kokopimentel.org/message-to-the-filipino-people-on-the-2017-legislative-agenda/
- www.mmda.gov.ph/11-news/142-mmda-chief-asks-congress-to-create-bureau-of-drainage-systems-and-services.html
- https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/12/13/imee-marcos-bats-for-renewable-energy
- https://journal.com.ph/news/nation/its-renewable-energy-imee
- http://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/281426/imee-to-the-rescue-of-coco-farmers.html
- https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/23024-cynthia-villar-apologizes-to-nurses
Author: Jess Vilvestre
Jess is on her way to getting her license in engineering. On the side of studying, she spends her time writing, cooking, and watching movies and plays. Jess has also been working with an education project that capacitates STEM learners with portable science activity kits.
