From song and dance numbers to motorcades, Senate hopefuls have employed various ways, different tactics, and styles during this campaign period to woo voters. Some went house-to-house; others opted to address larger audiences in more than a hundred campaign caravans.
But where do senatorial candidates stand on issues that voters most care about?
In the second half of Vera Files’ election series, we kept track of statements, advocacy, policy agenda, previous bills and consistency in standpoint of senatorial candidates on the five most “urgent national concerns” according to a February 2019 Pulse Asia pre-electoral survey.
These are:
- controlling inflation
- improving or increasing worker’s pay
- fighting graft and corruption in government
- creating more jobs
- fighting criminality
Pulse Asia asked 1,800 likely voters nationwide to pick from a list three issues that need urgent action from the Duterte administration, or name an issue themselves. The survey had a ± 2.3 margin of error.
The last part of the series covers independent candidates former Interior Secretary Raffy Alunan, former BAYAN MUNA Representative Neri Colmenares, reelectionist senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, former senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid and Serge Osmena.
Here are facts you need to know:
Rafael “Raffy” Alunan, Businessman
Nancy Binay, Senator
Neri Colmenares, Lawyer
Juan Ponce Enrile, former Senate President
Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, former Senator
Manuel “Lito” Lapid, former Senator, Actor
Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III, former Senator
Grace Poe, Senator
Sources:
Rafael “Raffy” Alunan
Rafael Alunan III on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213996961898828&id;=1254072299
CNN Philippines, CNN Philippines hosts Senatorial Debate, April 27, 2017 (0:13:22-014:27 and 2:17:56-2:18:36 on fighting graft and corruption) (1:58:25-1:59:40, on fighting criminality)
CNN Philippines on Twitter, April 27, 2019 (1:09-2:18, on creating more jobs)
ABS-CBN News, DZMM TeleRadyo: MESSAGE ‘SEN” – Raffy Alunan, may sagot sa netizens | 8 January 2019, January 8, 2019 (1:34-2:33, on controlling inflation)
Rafael Alunan III, https://m.facebook.com/story/graphql_permalink/?graphql_id=UzpfSTEyNTQwNzIyOTk6MTAyMTM1MzQ0MjYzNzU3Mjk%3D
Business World, TRAIN ride or wreck?,February 12,2018
Business World, Purging the criminals in the justice system, September 19, 2014
Raffy M. Alunan, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2191236064277251&id;=807846819282856, April 16, 2019
Rafael Alunan III, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213995814470143&id;=1254072299, April 27, 2019
Rafael Alunan III, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10213992925277915&id;=1254072299, April 27, 2019
News5Everywhere, APLIKANTE SA SENADO – RAFFY ALUNAN, February 18, 2019 (13:53-14:58, on fighting criminality)
GMA Public Affairs, Investigative Documentaries: Sektor ng turismo at agrikultura, nais tutukan ni Raffy Alunan, March 22, 2019
ABS-CBN News, Hot Copy on Headstart: Senatorial candidate Rafael Alunan III, February 13, 2019
Nancy Binay
CNN Philippines on Youtube, ‘The Source’ speaks to Senator Nancy Binay, January 16, 2019 (10:19-13:28, on controlling inflation)
ABS-CBN News, Headstart: ‘Not doable’ for Senate’s ‘The Force’ to join Duterte party – Binay, May 16, 2018 (00:00-01:04, on fighting graft and corruption)
Senate of the Philippines, NANCY TO LOOK INTO DOT AD SPEND, LOCAL MEDIA PLAN, May 7, 2018
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Pantawid Pasada Program
Senate of the Philippines, Sen. Nancy urges DBM to release ASAP 4th tranche of govt pay hike, February 1, 2019
Department of Budget and Management, 4TH TRANCHE SALARY ADJUSTMENT GETS GO SIGNAL
Business Mirror, ‘Too close to call’: Death-penalty bill may not have the numbers in Senate, March 19, 2017
GMA News, 4 neophyte senators reject revival of death penalty, January 29, 2014
Cebu Daily News (Inquirer.net), Binay: Going solo is hard but fun, (n.d)
Rappler, COA sees graft: How Ben Tulfo earned from P120-million PTV-DOT deal, July 12, 2018
ABS-CBN News, ‘Conflict of interest’ sa DOT-Bitag deal, sinilip sa Senado, August 14, 2018
ABS-CBN News on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=1676561742455234&_rdr
GMA News Online, Tourism chief Puyat steers clear of P60-M DOT-Bitag ad buy mess, July 31, 2018
Senate of the Philippines, NANCY CALLS FOR STRICTER IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, June 14, 2016
Senate of the Philippines, KEEP CLEAN FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE GUIDANCE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Nancy Binay on Facebook, With the sorry state of state intel, Nancy willing to give extra budget to agency that fed info to Polong, December 11, 2018
Senate of the Philippines, Sen. Nancy: Govt needs to prioritize Pinoy workers in additional “Build Build Build” projects, April 28, 2019
Senate of the Philippines, TAX REFORM ACCELERATION AND INCLUSION (TRAIN)
Senate of the Philippines, NANCY SEEKS INQUIRY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATING MECHANISMS UNDER TRAIN, June 7, 2018
Senate of the Philippines, NANCY TO DOTr, LTFRB: WHAT HAPPENED TO ‘PANTAWID PASADA’?, January 20, 2019
Nancy Binay on Facebook, Statement of Senator Nancy Binay on the Massacre of Sugar Workers in Sagay City, October 22, 2018
Nancy Binay on Facebook, NANCY TO ASK COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT MOVE RAISING AGE OF CONSENT TO 16, October 31, 2018
Senate of the Philippines, Malacanang must start controlling inflation and the rising cost of goods — Nancy, September 6, 2018
Senate of the Philippines, YOUTH SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS/REFORMATION OF CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW (COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 622)
Nancy Binay on Facebook, SEN. NANCY SAYS NO TO LOWERING OF MINIMUM CRIMINAL AGE TO 9, January 21, 2019
Senate of the Philippines, INCREASING THE AGE FOR DETERMINING STATUTORY RAPE bill
Neri Colmenares
House of Representatives, http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_16/HB01535.pdf
House of Representatives, House Bill/Resolution No. 05842
CNN Philippines on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2408357746070777&id;=1515763818663512
Neri Colmenares on Facebook, https://web.facebook.com/notes/neri-colmenares/release-remaining-p1000-pension-live-on-p73-pesos-per-day-bayan-muna-dares-sss-l/2097855203585529/CNN Philippines on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2408357746070777&id;=1515763818663512CNN Philippines on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2408357746070777&id;=1515763818663512
Neri Colmenares on Facebook, https://web.facebook.com/ColmenaresPH/posts/colmenares-p25-wage-increase-is-not-even-enough-for-a-kilo-of-nfa-ricepresses-go/1926507580720293/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Neri Colmenares on Facebook, About Neri Colmenares
https://web.facebook.com/ColmenaresPH/
Neri Colmenares on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/notes/neri-colmenares/know-neri/1941919882512396/?_rdc=1&_rdr
Social Security System, https://www.sss.gov.ph/sss/appmanager/viewArticle.jsp?page=NR2018_029
CNN Philippines, CNN Philippines hosts Senatorial Debate, April 27, 2019 (2:37:59-2:39:09, on improving/increasing workers’ pay and controlling inflation) (2:12:30-2:13:35, on fighting criminality) (0:14:00-0:15:32, on fighting graft and corruption)
Iboto.ph, https://iboto.ph/colmenares?fbclid=IwAR2bZz-T7LV46W2GvX1gvGHASPgWuiEP2ITxT7Wv880G0bwQf4LIYKcjW-Y
Rappler, #TheLeaderIWant: Neri Colmenares on what a leftist can bring to the Senate, November 23, 2018 (3:17-3:40, on creating more jobs)
Neri Colmenares on Facebook, https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2162664793771236&id;=498928790144853
CNN Philippines on Youtube, Neri Colmenares sumalang sa ‘fast talk’, February 24, 2019 (1:35-1:48, on fighting criminality)
Rappler on Youtube, Go after syndicates, not children in conflict with the law – Colmenares, March 6, 2019
Juan Ponce Enrile
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=558420721234593
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/01/04/jpe-calls-for-calibration-of-govt-taxes-on-energy/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1213709365442708
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2223108714678030
(http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/0723_enrile3.asp)
http://www.senate.gov.ph/speeches/sine_die_speech.asp
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1797377
https://www.manilatimes.net/enrile-eyes-jobs-for-ofws/520288/
https://www.facebook.com/JuanPonceEnrile/videos/766782653694760/
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/10/17/Juan-Ponce-Enrile-Senate-2019-elections.html
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1043975/juan-ponce-enrile-returns-to-comelec-to-revise-his-coc
Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada
Official Facebook Page, Senator Jinggoy Estrada
Official Facebook Page, VIDEO: SINO NGA BA ANG 29 na ESTRADA, DZRH Interview, April 23, 2019
ABS-CBN News Youtube, DZMM TeleRadyo: ISYU, IT’S YOU – Arcega, Casiño, Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Feb. 7, 2019
SuperRadyo DZBB 594khz Facebook Page, LIVE sa DZBB: Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile at Sen. Jinggoy Estrada sa “Ikaw Na Ba? The Senatorial Interview 2019, Jan. 18, 2019
Jinggoy Estrada Official Instagram, Ilan sa mga batas na nasulat at naipasa, March 12, 2019
Prices of Goods
Senate of the Philippines, Transcript: Kapihan sa Senado with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sept. 6, 2012
Senate of the Philippines, Press Release: Kapihan sa Senado with Jinggoy Estrada, June 19, 2014
Improving/increasing workers’ pay
Senate of the Philippines, Press Release: Jinggoy says P22 COLA hike not enough;
seeks actual wage increase for workers, May 10, 2011
Senate of the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 812: P125 Daily-Across the Board Wage Increase Act
Senate of the Philippines, Press Release: Wage boards must grant daily wage petitions–Jinggoy, April 30, 2013
Philstar, Jinggoy: P456 daily minimum wage for metro workers not enough, April 30, 2013
Stance on death penalty, anti-dynasty bill and term limits
CNN Philippines Youtube, Politics As Usual: The Politics of Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Feb. 19, 2019
Rappler, JV Ejercito wants death penalty for plunderers, March 3, 2019
Early Edition on ANC Facebook Page, VIDEO: Jinggoy Estrada on the anti-political dynasty law, Jan. 22, 2018
Creation of jobs
Jinggoy Estrada Official Facebook Page, PHOTO: Estrada on OFWs, April 25, 2019
Abante Online, Jinggoy sa mga OFW: Hindi ko kayo pababayaan, Jan. 10, 2019
Senate of the Philippines, Republic Act 10917: Amendment of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES)
Official Gazette, Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7042
Decriminalizing vagrancy and stance on death penalty
Manila Times
Manila Times website, Death for drug pushers — Jinggoy, April 28, 2019
Senate of the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 2726: Decriminalizing Vagrancy; Republic Act No. 10158
Senate of the Philippines, Senate Bill No. 915
Manuel “Lito” Lapid
Sources
On improving workers’ pay
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bills 2437 and 1838
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bill 1463
On creating jobs
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bills 2116 and 1621
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bill 2092
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bill 1646
On fighting criminality
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bills 2796 and 983
- Senate.gov.ph, Senate Bill 3127
Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III
CNN Philippines Youtube, ‘The Source’ speaks to former Senator Serge Osmeña, Nov. 13, 2018
News5Everywhere Youtube, Aplikante Sa Senado – Serge Osmeña, March 6, 2019
ABS-CBN News Youtube, Hot Copy on Headstart: Senatorial candidate Serge Osmeña, Feb. 19, 2019
ABS-CBN News Youtube, DZMM Teleradyo: Halalan 2019 Ikaw na Ba?, Nov. 27, 2018
CNN Philippines Youtube, The Filipino Votes: Senatorial Forum, Jan. 7, 2019
CNN Philippines, How senatorial aspirants plan to respond to inflation, Dec. 2, 2018
Serge Osmeña Supporters Facebook Account, Video: Coffee with the ‘Fearless Fiscalizer,’ Nov. 29, 2018
Serge Osmeña Supporters Facebook Account, Video: I-Serge Mo!, March 3, 2019
Grace Poe
https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2018/0605_poe1.asp
http://gracepoe.ph/blog-post/poe-proposes-paid-internship-at-govt-offices/
https://www.bworldonline.com/senator-calls-for-relief-measures-in-line-with-train-law/
https://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2460421183!.pdf
https://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2651122805!.pdf
https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2019/0211_poe1.asp
https://senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2817124465!.pdf
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/17/corruption-alive-and-well-under-duterte-poe
http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2358120210!.pdf
http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2501921541!.pdf
http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2016/0725_poe1.asp
https://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2018/0215_poe3.asp
http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/25/Senate-President-Tito-Sotto-death-penalty-drugs.html
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/892248/poe-gordon-stand-firm-against-death-penalty
https://www.manilatimes.net/collapse-death-penalty-bill-senate-hailed/324323/
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/03/21/1565250/poe-defends-stand-death-penalty
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/775315/poe-duterte-support-death-penalty-revival
Guided by the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter, VERA Files tracks the false claims, flip-flops, misleading statements of public officials and figures, and debunks them with factual evidence. Find out more about this initiative and our methodology.
