Rep. Gary Alejano wants to strengthen PH maritime affairs if elected in Senate
by UNTV News and Rescue | Posted on Tuesday, January 15th, 2019
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Magdalo Party list Representative Gary Alejano wants to push for the establishment of a Department of Maritime and Oceanic Affairs if given a seat in the Senate.
On the program Get It Straight with Daniel Razon on Tuesday (January 15), Alejano said he wants to focus on issues that concern the country’s maritime rights.
Alejano is among those critical of the Duterte Administration with regard to the issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) because of the government’s alleged lack of action to drive away China in the said territory.
The lawmaker also opposes the conduct of a joint exploration in the area because, according to Alejano, it will mean that the Philippines is surrendering to China its rights to the WPS.
Alejano believes that China would somehow pull back its reclamation activities if the Philippines’ action will affect its reputation as a superpower.
“The moment na lalabas sa international community na ito palang China is rising irresponsibly, na bully siya at hindi sumusunod sa international law, sino pa ang gustong sumanib sa kanya?” Alejano argued.
“Kaya nga depende, sa kanila po iyon. Sa atin naman, we can rally the world against China. Ibig sabihin we can use the ruling as our leverage but it doesn’t mean that we will close doors with China,” he said.
But the lawmaker said that though they may disagree on some issues with the Duterte administration, they support it at some point such as the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), salary increase and the enactment of the National ID system, free irrigation and free tertiary education.
“Kasi nangyari po ganito, kung meron mang pupuri sa ginagawa ng kasalukuyang administrasyon kukunin yan doon sa kanyang kaalyado,” Alejano said.
“Kapag meron namang pagbabatikos, pagpupuna sa kasalukuyang administrasyon… lumalabas na puro batikos lamang kami. Hindi po. Nandito para kontrahin just for the sake of kontrahin at pigilan ang kaunlaran ng bansa,” he further noted.
Should be given the chance in public office, Alejano also wanted to establish measures to provide further protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) should they decide to retire in their home country such as the OFW pension system. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
