FVR endorses ex-TESDA chief as Senate bet

MANILA, Philippines - Former president Fidel Ramos has endorsed the senatorial candidacy of former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) chief Joel Villanueva.

After chatting for one hour last Tuesday, the two posed for photographs, with Ramos raising Villanueva’s hand in a show of support. 

The former Tesda chief is the first senatorial candidate to be endorsed by Ramos. He thanked the former president for his support.

“I was in high school when I campaigned for FVR in 1992. I feel blessed and honored that now, he is giving me his highly valued endorsement,” Villanueva said.

Ramos served as president from 1992 to 1998.

Villanueva said Ramos told him he believes in the platform he is pushing, which advocates quality education and sustainable jobs.

“I have every reason to believe that the former president is a constant ally in our pursuit for a better life for the Filipinos through quality education and employment,” Villanueva said.

“These are the same programs he focused on when he was president and which made the country a rising tiger economy,” he said.

It was during Ramos’ time when Republic Act No. 7796 or the law creating Tesda was passed. Tesda’s creation gave a big boost to technical vocational education and training throughout the country.

Earlier, former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada endorsed Villanueva, who is seeking a Senate seat under the ruling Liberal Party.

On the other hand, transport groups and persons with disabilities (PWDs) endorsed the senatorial bid of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who they said has been very supportive of their welfare.

Among the PWD groups that backed Romualdez are the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Inc. (TWH); Alyansa ng may Kapansanang (AKAP) Pinoy; National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA), and Pilipinos with Disabilities party-list group.

The organizations cited Romualdez for his authorship of the recently enacted law that granted PWDs exemption from the 12 percent value-added tax on certain goods and services.

“Rep. Romualdez’s malasakit (compassion) measure was a milestone achievement in the protection and promotion of PWD sector’s rights,” TWH president Manuel Agcaoili said.

There are an estimated 1.5 million PWDs in the country.

Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas national president Orlando Marquez, also a PWD, supported Romualdez’s run for the Senate.

Also endorsing Romualdez were Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap), and the Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide (Pasang Masda).

They cited the lawmaker’s advocacy of the public utility jeepney (PUJ) modernization program and other reforms in the public transportation sector.          – With Paolo Romero