Beyond words: Grateful to serve Filipinos

As the 19th Congress is about to end, we look back at the advocacies we fought for, the struggles we hurdled, and the initiatives we put into action. With the mandate entrusted upon me by the Filipino people, I am forever humbled and will remain committed to bring government services closer to the people, especially the poor, the sick, and the needy.

It is indeed an honor to serve as the chairperson of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography, on Youth, and on Sports.

Our tasks in these committees shaped me into a better public servant and helped me fight for the passage of necessary legislation that directly benefits our fellow Filipinos.

In the 19th Congress, it was my privilege to have principally authored very important laws, such as Republic Act 12076 or the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act” which seeks to establish mandatory evacuation centers in all cities and municipalities, thereby protecting the dignity of our evacuees. Your Senator Kuya Bong Go is also the principal author of RA 12177 or the “Free Legal Assistance to Military and Uniformed Personnel” as part of our continuing efforts to honor the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.

As co-author of key pieces of legislation like RA 12077 or the “Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters Law” and RA 11996 or the “Eddie Garcia Law”, among others, I will always prioritize the welfare of Filipinos from all sectors and walks of life. In our crusade for a stronger nation, no one should get left behind.

To date, I have authored 19 laws that stem from our shared vision to serve more Filipinos nationwide. Beyond the number of laws, what is important for me is the impact it brought on the lives of the people who benefit from them. I have also principally sponsored 94 laws, including 92 laws establishing and upgrading public hospitals across the country. These projects are a lifeline for Filipinos especially in the far-flung and underserved areas.

Furthermore, I have pushed measures that seek to address concerns on health, education, disaster preparedness, and public safety through my co-authorship or co-sponsorship of 190 laws.

We have also continued to push for the full implementation of our flagship health initiatives, namely, the Malasakit Centers Act, the Super Health Centers program, and the Regional Specialty Center Act.

I am honored to report that through our health committee hearings, we achieved very significant steps toward strengthening our healthcare system. These include the scrapping of outdated and anti-poor policies of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, as well as the long-overdue payments of Health Emergency Allowance for our healthcare workers who sacrificed during the pandemic.

It is also during the 19th Congress that we scaled greater heights, as Filipino athletes brought home historic wins from global arenas like the 2024 Paris Olympics. As chairman of the sports committee in the Senate, I am proud that our efforts for better funding for our athletes continue to bear fruit. We will carry on with our support for the preparation, training, and competitive performance of Filipino athletes at the grassroots level.

As your senator, I know that the work is far from over. Continuing our service to the people, on 9 June, we attended the Commission on Appointments hearing on the ad interim appointment of the officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and joined the Senate session where we expressed the need to ensure that the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte follows the legal process.

On 11 June, we once again joined the Commission on Appointments for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of officials from the AFP and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the ad interim appointments and nominations of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). After which, we had our last regular session in the 19th Congress.

To commemorate the 127th Independence Day and celebrate my 51st birthday in advance, we spent time with pediatric cancer patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City on 12 June.

We were also invited to the 2nd El Presidente Cup, Ramon Fernandez Charity Golf Tournament Ceremonial Tee-Off in Carmona, Cavite on 13 June, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports.

On 14 June, I spent my 51st birthday with the fisherfolk and had lunch with them in Davao Del Norte. We then went to Davao City and assisted 36 fire victims in Barangay Lapu-Lapu, Agdao District. Like my mentor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, I don't hold parties. It has been my tradition to have my birthdays celebrated by helping and being with the community.

To further extend our help in the grassroots level, our Malasakit Team also extended their efforts to the Filipinos as they immediately aided 16 fire victims in Barangay Buting in Pasig City; 141 victims in Bacoor City, Cavite; 75 in Las Piñas, and five in Barangay 76-A in Davao City.

We then provided additional assistance to 12 families with totally damaged houses in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte with Mayor Freitche Poblete. They also received one-time emergency shelter support to help them rebuild their homes via a national government program that I pushed for and advocated.

We also participated in the Batong Bulilit Art and Talent Contest at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) with Division of Pediatric Nephrology Chair Dr. Lorna Simangan and we were represented by Congresswoman Girlie Veloso. The Malasakit Team distributed foodpacks at the NKTI Patient Convention.

As Mr. Malasakit, I will continue to serve the people and help those in need. Service is not only a mandate you have given me, but it is also a Filipino trait that I value deeply in my heart, which I will continue to uphold in the 20th Congress. On my birthday, I pray and wish to help more Filipinos and pass more legislations that will benefit our kababayans. Bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.