FROM behind bars, former Lieutenant Senior Grade James Layug formally launched on Sunday his campaign to represent the second district of Taguig City in the House of Representatives with a motorcade by his supporters.
“It is my conviction to fulfill our hopes and dreams. We, the people of Taguig, should have better employment, improved healthcare, access to education and a drug-free community. These are my priorities for our district,” Layug issued the statement from his detention cell in Camp Crame.
Layug is a member of the Magdalo group of reformist junor officers who attempted to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in July 2003 in Oakwood , Makati and in November 2008 at the Manila Peninsula. He is facing charges of coup de’tat and rebellion in military and civilian courts.
Independent Layug is up against the incumbent Angelito “Jett” Reyes, who recently won his electoral protest against Henry Dueñas, who held the position for the more than two and half years; Liberal Party’s Freddie Tinga, currently Taguig mayor; Nacionalista Party’s Arvin Alip.
Reyes, who belongs to a local party, is the son of recently resigned Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is also trying to gain a House seat through 1-UTAK, party list group of transport players.
Tinga is the son of retired Supreme Court Justice Dante Tinga, who is running for mayor.
Layug said he has six advocacies that will be the foundation for his programs and policies. These are good governance, people empowerment, peace and order, social equity, justice and environmental protection and management.
Layug said, “Sana yung mga gustong mag-aral, makapag-aral. Yung umaasang makapag-trabaho, makapagtrabaho. Yung nangangailangan ng gamot ay makapagpagamot.”
In people empowerment, for example, Layug said he believes in the Filipino spirit of “bayanihan” as an instrument of change. He added that as a united citizenry, Filipinos can achieve great feats of nation building.
Layug’s campaign kicked off with a Palm Sunday mass at the Ina ng Dukha Parish Church at the Tenement area in Western Bicutan. Kabisig ni Layug community leaders, as well as Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Movement local and national members, attended the event.
The mass was immediately followed by a motorcade and a door-to-door campaign.—Ellen Tordesillas