Sen. Robin: Implement laws specially those for farmers, IPs, ordinary Pinoys
MAKE sure our laws are implemented, especially if they will benefit farmers, indigenous peoples and ordinary Filipinos.
This was the reminder of Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla to present and future “Uniformed Heroes” – police, military, firefighters, and Coast Guard – at the opening of the sports fest of the National Police College in Cavite.
“Sana sa inyong hanay, dahil kayo ang hahawak ng law and order, alam naman natin pag walang law and order, walang mangyayari sa bansa. Dahil kayo ang inaasahan naming magtatanggol sa ating mga kababayan, tulungan po ninyo, tulungan nyo sila (I hope that among your ranks – since you will be in charge of ensuring law and order, and we know we cannot afford not to have law and order – you will defend our people. Let’s help them),” said Padilla.
“Alam ninyo, sa mga bulubundukin nakikita kong tumutulong ang mga pulis, mga Army… lalo pag may kalamidad nakikita nyo diyan, ang Coast Guard, ang kapulisan, ang bumbero, sila ang nandiyan. Kung tayo lagi tayo mag-griping, ah ito di binigay ng gobyerno, walang mangyayari. Magtrabaho na lang tayo at magserbisyo. Yan na lang po ang pwede nating gawin (In remote areas, I have seen our policemen and soldiers, our Coast Guard and firefighters, help those in need especially during calamities. We cannot get much done if we just gripe, so let us work and render service),” he added.
Padilla particularly urged police to make sure those they arrest understand what law they violated, and what their rights are – by using Filipino and English. This is especially if Padilla’s bill mandating that official government documents be in Filipino and English is passed into law.
Also, Padilla supported the continued modernization of the Bureau of Fire Protection to enable Filipino firefighters to be at par – or even become better than their counterparts abroad.
Meanwhile, Padilla recalled the courage of the Coast Guard and Navy who accompanied him to the West Philippine Sea, where they managed to plant the Philippine flag on one island claimed by the Chinese – after a chase with Chinese vessels.
“Bakit ko kinukwento sa inyo lahat ito? Kasi po mga mahal kong future officer, napakalaki ng responsibilidad ninyo, mga mahal kong kababayan (Why am I telling you this? Because you have a great responsibility),” said Padilla.
“Ang mga senador naman ninyo nagtatrabaho. At yan napatunayan ko. Noong araw wala akong ginawa kundi tirahin ang mga yan, ngayon naintindihan ko na. Ang mga senador ninyo gumagawa yan ng batas. At ang nagpapatupad ng batas, ang tinatawag nating implementor, ang executive (Your senators are working hard to craft laws and I can say that from experience. Before, I used to criticize the senators but now I understand them. Meanwhile, its implementation will be the job of the executive branch),” he added.
