OFW party-list rep to run for president

MANILA, Philippines – An Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Family Club party-list representative and former Kuwait ambassador on Thursday announced his presidential bid in 2016.

"I'm running for president. I'm happy to inform you I have a complete slate. I have a vice presidential candidate, 12 senators. I'm running under a Comelec-accredited party," Rep. Roy Señeres said in a press conference.

Señeres said he declared his intention to run for the highest post since he was urged by a manifesto from the OFW FORSE (Friends of Roy Señeres Everywhere), the ATAKK (Alisin ang Tanikala ng Kontraktwalisasyon at Kurapsyon), and the Respect our Security of Employment Movement.

Señeres hopes that he will not be considered as a nuisance candidate since he has proven his electability as congressman.

The party-list lawmaker also said he has yet to announce his running mate and 12 senatorial candidates.

Señeres and his entire slate will run under the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka (PMM) led by lawyer Jose Malvar Villegas. In 1998, then Defense Sec. Renato de Villa in 1998 also ran as president in the same political party.

The OFW advocate said he aims to champion the cause of OFWs and contractuals as well as job order employment and corruption.

"According to latest statistics, there are 15 million contractuals working in giant malls and chain restaurants. This is against the law and the Constitution because the Constitution says every worker must have security of tenure. They cannot be dismissed from work without just and authorized cause," Señeres.

The former Kuwait ambassador helped Sarah Balabagan during his tenure.

Señeres was the fourth official to declare presidential bid. He will join Liberal Party’s Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, United Nationalist Alliance Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay and Sen. Grace Poe in the presidential derby.