Am I running for Senator?

Am I running for Senator in the coming 2019 elections?

I have already stated my answer several times in numerous occasions, and personally, I don’t want to – nor is it my dream to be one. However, being a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte and at the same time a government official, I know that this choice is not just mine to make. And yes, as I have also repeatedly stated that the decision lies in the hands of the President and the Filipino people as to where I am needed the most.

We are now seeing people whose names are being tagged as possible senatoriables are likewise becoming targets of black propaganda. I cannot thus help but question: are these a ploy of TRAditional POliticians who want to stay in power? Time and again we have witnessed how politicians make tirades against other possible candidates to boost their chances of winning in the elections. Just take for example what happened during the previous polls: when it became evident that President Duterte was the strongest presidential candidate, some of his opponents realigned their strategies by attempting to assassinate his character, which we have seen in all sorts of media platforms, including TV, radio, print and online networks.

Unfortunately, the same thing is happening to Mr. Erwin Tulfo, whose name is making a buzz these days not for this popularity as a media practitioner, but as a possible senatorial bet. He is making the headlines of Rappler and Inquirer on issues involving the advertisements of the Department of Tourism. And while he is in no way part of this brewing concern, there are media platforms that do not care about the truth but are only focused on creating controversies which they want the public to believe.

Another instance is the sensationalized report regarding the Boracay photo, wherein I was never asked for my side of the story. In the said report, it was stated that the photo was also used by the Smithsonian in their article, which was about the seas in North America. However, they failed to clarify that the photo in question was indeed that of Boracay.

These incidents clearly show how the mainstream media can be selective in their reporting. Where is the report on Business Mirror who used the same photo that was reportedly bashed by netizens? Where are the reports about politicians whose statements are also being criticized on social media? Where are the reports about public personalities who are spreading all sorts of misinformation and disinformation, such as that of Jim Paredes who implied that I shared the controversial OFW rescue video when the “truth” is far from it?

There are also other things that have been brought to my attention, both by concerned citizens and reliable sources. I was told that a certain senator was involved in talks about the need to tarnish my name, and that there is another senator who has an army of trolls ready to launch a demolition job against me. I was told that a lawyer in Pangasinan has started a signature campaign to oust me from my position. And I was also cautioned that there will be a series of character assassinations targeting me and Erwin Tulfo.

While these reports may seem surreal at first, seeing the ongoing relentless tirades against me no longer make them hard to believe. I also no longer find it hard to believe that these actions are being taken by politicians who want nothing but to eliminate the people that threaten them, people who they see to be standing in the way of their victory in the coming elections.

Inside the government office, I have been told that there is an official who is spreading rumors that I tasked bloggers Thinking Pinoy and Sass Sasot to attack PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar because I cannot go against him directly. The truth however, is that each of us has an opinion over various issues, and our insights do not always fall on the same boat. I have continuously shown my support for Secretary Andanar not because he stood for me amidst the condescending statements thrown at me during the Senate hearing on fake news, but because I believe that he is doing a great job as the head of PCOO. Now, if we take into account these issues, the actions of several individuals and the numerous attempts to besmirch my name and reputation, we can then see how dirty and murky politics is in this country.

This is the very reason I have no desire to enter politics.

I’ll let them say what they want, if that’s what makes them happy – that I want a seat in the Senate. At the end of the day I know exactly what I want to do, and that’s not to run for public office; rather, I just want to accomplish my goal of helping ordinary people find their voice and speak out their minds in this country full of selfish politicians.