To the President, Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, to the esteemed officers and members of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. who are joining here today whether physically or via Zoom, it is a great honor to be with your membership executive assembly this afternoon.
Before I begin, allow me to share with you a short story: A man was walking peacefully one quiet afternoon on his farm. He was enjoying the crisp and refreshing air carrying an earthy scent of freshly cut grass, as well as the gentle warmth of the sunlight on his skin.
As he savored the stillness, he stopped by his pond – one that is big enough to house some varieties of fish that he planned to cultivate.
He then picked a dark gray pebble lying on the ground and tossed it into the pond. As it landed into the water, he noticed the instant ripples it created, spreading to the surface, even reaching the far edge of the pond.
From here, the man realized: no matter how small a man’s decision or action is, it creates ripples that, in one way or another, make an impact, sometimes one that we cannot even predict.
If there is one organization that has continued to make a positive impact on the lives of millions of Filipinos over the decades, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce is truly one of those that come to mind.
For over 70 years since its establishment, the Federation has not merely endured – it thrived as a steadfast pillar of nation-building, standing in support of our leaders in pushing for meaningful progress. Indeed, mayroon kayong “Dugong Tsino, Pusong Pinoy.”
On a personal note, the Federation has also been a witness to – and a partner in – my long career as a public servant, beginning from my early years as a member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary when among our topmost priorities was addressing the rampant kidnap-for-ransom cases targeting Filipino Chinese or Tsinoys in the country. This institution stood with me as I rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Chief of the Philippine National Police, and even more, when I took the responsibility of serving as Senator of the Republic.
As all of you know, for the past two and a half years, I have embraced the new rhythm that I have chosen – something that I have never experienced before.
That pleasant feeling from having the luxury to pause, reflect, and breathe has been a welcome reprieve for somebody who has spent most of his life attending to the call of duty and service to the nation.
But I need to admit that on my quiet days, I found myself asking: Am I truly ready to close my life’s chapter on public service – the one that I was once dedicated to? Does my legacy end here? Or is there yet another chapter waiting to be written?
As I searched for the answer, I have come to realize that throwing a pebble into the water, hoping to make an impact, is impossible when you are miles away from that same pond.
From there, I decided to give it another try – and filed my Certificate of Candidacy for Senator in the coming May 2025 elections.
I know you have been asking: what will be my priority legislative actions should the Filipino people again entrust you with a seat in the Senate?
My top-of-mind answer is to continue my advocacy as a fiscalizer, as watchdog of the national budget – the very lifeblood of our economy, if not our nation itself.
In 2022, my staff calculated how much money we saved our taxpayers through our relentless efforts against corruption for 18 years as a senator of the Republic.
When they reported back, I was equally surprised to learn that our initiatives saved around 300 billion pesos worth of Filipino taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Suffice to say that this amount was snatched back from the jaws of corruption, and instead redirected toward the funding critical and meaningful government services.
This figure is not just a number, as I have always believed that every centavo saved from corruption is an investment for the future of our country and the Filipino people. And should I be given a chance to serve again, this will remain my top priority.
Related to this is ensuring transparency in budget deliberations, particularly at the bicameral conference committee level. Layunin natin pong mapaigting pa ang partisipasyon ng taumbayan, sa pamamagitan ng civil society organizations at non-government organizations sa pagtalakay ng ating taunang budget. Makailang beses ko na pong inihain ito sa aking mga naunang termino, ngunit umaasa pa rin tayo na magkakaroon ito ng katuparan sa mga susunod na Kongreso.
Another measure that I will prioritize is the exclusion of ALL – inuulit ko po — ALL government officials and employees from the blanket of the Bank Secrecy Law. This would allow the early detection of questionable bank transactions, like in the case of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, where billions of pesos were reportedly transferred to her accounts from 2018 to 2024. Ang totoo, unang termino ko pa lamang sa Senado ay bahagi na ito ng aking adbokasiya sa paglaban sa korapsyon at katiwalian sa pamahalaan.
Kabilang din sa aking mga prayoridad ang pagsulong ng mga panukalang batas na magtataguyod pa seguridad at kapayapaan sa ating mga komunidad at sa ating bansa.
Nitong mga nakalipas na taon, batid nating hindi lang ang pagiging abusado, kundi ang pagkakasangkot at pangunguna pa ng ilan sa ating kapulisan sa mga ilegal na gawain at corrupt practices sa bansa. Kung kaya naman, isa sa aking panukala ay ang pagtitiyak na ituloy-tuloy ang internal cleansing ng PNP, sa pamamagitan ng pagtatalaga ng isang tunay na independyenteng PNP Internal Affairs Service na hindi nakatali sa sinumang nasa kapangyarihan sa loob ng PNP.
Ito ang nakikita kong pamamaraan upang mapigilan, at tuluyang matigil na ang mga pang-aabuso ng ating mga “scalawags in uniform” na patuloy na namemeste sa mga negosyanteng tulad ninyo, lalo na sa ating mga ordinaryong kababayan.
Para na rin sa patuloy na pagpapalakas ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan, na tiyak na tugma sa inyong isinusulong na “Buy Pinoy” movement, hindi po nawawala sa aking puso ang pagsusulong ng Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) – na naglalayong magbigay ng patas na oportunidad mula sa lebel ng probinsya hanggang sa mga barangay, lalo’t higit sa mga lugar na malayo sa Kamaynilaan.
Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas sa ating mga kanayunan, inaasahan natin ang pagkakaroon ng maraming negosyo, paglikha ng maraming trabaho, na magiging daan sa paglago ng ating mga lokal na ekonomiya.
For business leaders like you, I understand that the digitalization of government services, both at the national and local levels, is crucial in fostering a more conducive environment for investment and job creation. This is something I deeply recognize, and I must humbly acknowledge that it has always been a priority in my advocacy, even during my previous terms in the Senate. I remain committed to advancing this cause, fully knowing how essential it is for our country’s growth and prosperity.
To tell you frankly, and humbly, the list of my legislative agenda is a long one. It is a list born and shaped by my decades of experience in public service – at kung iisa-isahin ko lahat ay baka ma-overcharge kayo ng Gloria Maris for staying longer than we are allowed.
Isa lamang po ang aking maiiwang pangako sa inyo: na kung sakali man pong ako ay makakabalik sa Senado sa tulong ninyo, asahan po ninyo na mayroon kayong kasama sa pagsusulong ng mga adbokasiya at adhikain na naglalayong tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating bayan, na ang unang iisipin ang kapakanan ng nakararami higit pa sa kanyang personal na interes.
At this point, let me again thank the Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc., not only for giving me the opportunity to be with you today, but for the trust and confidence that you have placed in me throughout the years.
Let us continue to make a meaningful impact, whether through small ripples or giant waves, as we strive for real progress for the Filipino people.
Maraming maraming salamat. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!
*****