About Kiko Agenda
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Page 1 of 2 Work for accountable and responsive government A respected American politician once said that all politics is local. I believe that all government is local. This is because government must not be some faceless, nameless bureaucracy alien from its constituents. It must be a living, breathing presence in the lives of people. It must be responsive to the people’s needs and sensitive to their plight. Thus, government must be as near to the people as possible. This, I believe is the essence of good governance. My experience as councilor of Quezon City has convinced me that this is the best way government can make a positive impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. For this reason, I shall commit myself to strengthening local government units (LGU’s) during my term. To bring government closer to the people, specially in the provinces, I shall explore the possibility of adopting a federal system of government. As the basic unit of our government, barangays should be empowered to, among others, improving the barangay justice system. I shall also push for amendments in the local government code that shall bring about these objectives. A lawyer is taught that he is a high priest in the temple of justice. Lawyers are officers of the court, tasked with the solemn duty of aiding the courts in the administration of justice. Sadly, our courts system is not the last bastion of justice that it was meant to be. It is common knowledge the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow, as litigants bewail the tedious proceedings and the snails pace for resolving court cases. On top of this, our courts have developed the reputation as being graft-ridden and many of our judges as hoodlums in robes, thus resulting in an erosion of our people’s confidence in the judiciary. Judges and court employees complain of being overworked and underpaid. Aware of these threats, and realizing the paramount importance of the judiciary in our system of government, I shall push for measures to improve the compensation and working conditions for all members of the judicial branch. In line with this, I shall work for a greater budget for the judiciary. Respect for human rights is a bedrock principle in our Constitution. Our national experience under martial law has taught us of the painful lessons and dire consequences of suppressing and trampling upon fundamental human rights. As a lawyer and Senator, I am firmly committed to strengthening our democracy through vigilance in the protection and promotion of human rights. In this regard, I shall work toward strengthening the Commission on Human Rights and promoting human rights education among our police and law enforcers, among other measures.
We Filipinos are family oriented, and with good reason. For it is through our families that we first taught good values that we carry through life. It is in our homes that we receive guidance, support, love and protection. I should know. I grew up in a large and close knit family that thrived on love and caring. It was in our home that my ideals of service were nurtured. Now that I have a family of my own, I would like my child to be brought up in the same way that I was reared. This is also my dream for all Filipino children and their families. Therefore, I am committed to strengthen the family as the basic unit in our society and to work so that it can retain its role as the place where our children are molded and trained in to the values we Filipinos cherish. In line with this thrust, I intend to introduce legislation that shall support and enhance family welfare. Closely connected with this, I shall introduce measures on a variety of important issues that have significant impact on the family, such as employment generation, job security, overseas Filipino workers, responsible parenthood and family planning. The great Filipino patriot Jose Rizal pointed to the youth as the hope of the fatherland. Ours is a nation of young people who form the overwhelming majority of the population. As a student leader, I have worked for affordable, quality and relevant education. I have pushed for student’s rights and welfare. I intend to pursue these goals as a Senator. Toward this end, I shall advocate for the improvement of the public school system, upgrade the condition of teachers and provide equal educational opportunities for all our youth, especially those in the countryside.
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