Roxas praises Duterte for free health care
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:53:48 +0000
SENATORIAL candidates Romy Macalintal, Ding Generoso, Gary Alejano, Agnes Escudero, Erin Tañada, Mar Roxas, Neri Colmenares, and Abner Afuang participate in the ‘Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate’ Sunday. (Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
Duterte administration arch-critic former Sen. Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II said President Duterte deserves praise for funding free health care services to Filipinos, saying that it is a personal priority he wanted to be carried out by government.
Roxas, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Duterte, said the medical care program is the best accomplishment the Duterte administration achieved.
The former Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government was among the eight senatorial candidates who participated in the ABS-CBN Senatorial Debate Sunday.
At the “fast talk” segment of the debate, Roxas stressed that there are many Filipinos who get sick are distraught by their condition because of poverty.
Duterte signed into law on Friday the Universal Health Care Act that will guarantee medical services even to the poorest of Filipinos.
However, Roxas, who is seeking a political comeback in the 2019 senatorial elections, remained furious against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law and the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility. He said it is common sense to reject the reduction of criminal responsibility, pointing out that even movie houses reject minors from entering R-18 rated films.
Former Pagsanjan, Laguna Mayor Abner Afuang said that if there is indeed a State-sponsored killing, it should target “corrupt” elective officials in Congress. “Kung uunahin ang mga corrupt sa Congress, pabor ako,” he said when asked if he favors the “Tokhang” police operations against persons involved in drugs.
Afuang, a former journalist and member of the Makati City police, also thumbed down the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility, saying that this will make children mere “collateral damage” in government’s bid to end criminality.
Asked to react on the proposal to change the country’s name, senatorial candidate Agnes Escudero said that if this will be approved, the Philippines should be renamed “Rizal Republic” after national hero Jose Rizal.
Also in the fast talk segment of the public discourse, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal defended former President now House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo’s victory over actor Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 presidential elections. “Walang katibayan na siya ay nandaya,” said Macalintal.
On proposals to change the country’s name into “Maharlika,” Macalintal said government leaders should no longer tinker with the proposal and instead address the many problems affecting the country.
Macalintal also chided senatorial rivals enjoying the support of Duterte for failing to show up for the debate. “Sa mga hindi sumipot sa debate, ang nais nila ay kumapit lamang sa kanilang Pangulo,” he stated. (Ben R. Rosario)