Diokno: 2022 elections a ‘game changer’; public no longer afraid to speak up and take a stand

After announcing his plans to run for senator, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno is more confident given that the political landscape has now shifted with active citizen engagement.

Diokno, in an interview on Politiko’s Politiskoop, said the May elections would be a game-changer since it will occur in the middle of a pandemic. Diokno earlier announced plans to take another shot at a Senate seat in next year’s elections. He remains an independent since he has no party affiliation yet.

He also lauded citizens who are no longer afraid to speak up to anomalies and alleged controversies in their communities.

“At mas marami ngayon ay hindi na takot magsalita, maski mag-monitor tayo sa internet, sa mga social media platform yung iba na dati’y nananahimik lang ay ngayon nagsasalita na,” he said.

Diokno stated if he would be fortunate enough to secure a seat in the Senate, his priority would be the economy since the government, according to him, lacked support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and workers.

“Kasi ang super na-affect nitong lockdowns ay yung mga establishments natin, yung mga micro, small, and medium enterprises. They employ 64 percent of our workforce kaya pag sila ay natamaan ang talagang apektado ay ang ating manggagawa,” he explained.

Dioko mentioned that small businesses have appealed for access to low interest or zero interest loans since they no longer have the capacity to run their businesses. The unemployed, on the other hand, is asking for ways to find a job.

“Marami pa rin namang mga industries that are now flourishing because of the pandemic kasi nag-iba na nga ang mundo natin. Pero alam niyo, yung talagang ang laki ng tama pagdating sa unemployment, ang ating kabataan,” he said.

He added that the unemployment rate of the youth has tripled and that after bearing the struggles of studying, they would also have a hard time looking for jobs.

“Karamihan kasi ng mga kabataan natin ang pinapasukan mga service-related establishments, say, food service, mga ganun. And those were closed or not operating as before, kaya yun sana ang matugunan ng ating pamahalaan,” Diokno said.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)