Several mayors of vote-rich provinces Cavite and Laguna have endorsed the 2025 Senate comeback bid of former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, with two weeks to go before the May 12 elections.
Pangilinan secured the endorsement of 15 Laguna mayors during his meeting with the League of Municipalities of Laguna held at the Pila Municipal Hall on Tuesday, April 29. The backing of two other mayors were received by Pangilinan during separate courtesy visits.
“We are very grateful for the support we got in Laguna. This is a huge help, especially that there are a few days to go before the elections,” he said.
“They can be sure that we will work on strengthening the agricultural sector of Laguna,” he added.
Aquino received the endorsement of three Cavite mayors on Wednesday, April 30.
“I am thankful for the endorsement, and I vow to work on increasing the budget for Free College Education Law so more students can benefit from it, including Cavite residents, en route to them having enough job opportunites,” Aquino said.
Laguna has 2.1 million voters while Cavite has 2.4 million voters based on Commission on Elections records.
Workers welfare
Meanwhile, several independent senatorial candidates made the rounds in the provinces as they continued their Eleksyon 2025 campaign.
Ariel Querubin urged factory workers and residents of South Cotabato to vote for leaders who will address the concerns of the people.
“Mamili ng iboboto at susuportahan na kandidato na nagpakita talaga ng pagmamahal sa bayan natin at malasakit sa taumbayan. Yung totoo talaga,” Querubin said during his campaign on Tuesday.
“Iyong iba, ang dali nilang sabihin, magpapakamatay ako [para] sa inyo. Ang dami. Akala nila sine, ang dali nilang sabihin. Easier said than done,” he added.
(Vote for someone who genuinely loves the country and has a concern for the people. Some political candidates say they will die for the country. Easier said than done.)
He said Mindanao’s growing economy must have sustainable job opportunities, especially for laborers and the working-class sectors.
Ben Tulfo went to Masbate for his campaign. During his visit, Tulfo and Masbate Governor Antonio Kho observed a lagoon in the area, which has been a tourism hub.
“Nandito kami para humingi ng anything na advises at saka yung pakikinig, pakikipag-usap, at pakikipag-interaksyon doon sa mga Masbateño,” Tulfo said.
Medical benefits
In a statement, TRABAHO party-list vowed to address the challenges affecting the workers’ health brought by climate change.
TRABAHO spokesperson Atty. Mitchell-David L. Espiritu noted the absence of strong national regulations adapting to the unprecedented rise in the country’s heat index levels.
The group said it would push for the improvement of medical benefits and health insurance coverage for workers. This includes access to preventive care, regular health screenings, and comprehensive health insurance plans that cover heat-related illnesses.
“Non-wage benefits and protections are essential to mitigate the financial burdens of medical expenses and to ensure timely medical attention for affected workers,” said Espiritu. (Llanesca Panti/Mariel Celine Serquiña/ LDF, GMA Integrated News)