0f Trees and Forest

Senator Manny Villar

Election Day
o'
AFTER weeks of grueling that the party is behind vou rhetoric and fancy tv ads. The
itlelectoral campaign, meeting 1000/o ! important question to ask is
constituencies and strategizing I hope our people vote with this-Do the have a plan? The
tor vrctory, candidates for their heart and minds. I know next important question to ask
the 2019 National Elections voting is at times an emotional is-Do I think this plan is good
will finally face the verdict act. We vote with our emotions. for the country?
of our people. For all the Nothing wrong with that. Butit And I am referring not just to
surveys,.-mock polls, punditry is also-import-ant to think and the economy but to other political
and political .trickeries, it reflect beiore you shade that and social issues as well. We
boils down to the voice of the circle on the ballot. Every vote need to make sure that we elect
people. The beauty of electoral you cast will snaoe tne iutuie officials who would complement
democracy is that, in the end, of our countrv. the political will exhibitd bv
the people decides. This mav not be a presidential thls government in the field o?
I-will be remiss of my duties etection but a lot is ii iiiiE. peace and order, foreign policy,
as prestdent of ffie Nacionalista we need to be able tcsustain anti-corruption initiatives, and
Party if i do not mention the economic gains of ihe the like.
the fact that our party has Duterte administr;tion. A rec;ni I would Iike to congratulate all
three outstanding candidates objective indicator ofthis growih the candldates who endured the
for the Senate - incumbent wjs provided Uv Saf 6rluji punishing summer heAt to be
senator cynthia A. Vi ar, Rep. ratinq's wne; it ;irJ;";;"d;i able to explain their visions to
Pra Cayetano and Gov. Imee rating to "BBB+" from .'BBB,,, their constituencies. Regardless
Marcos. citing above-averaqe orowth of one's party affiliation, we need
We have an all-woinen slate and strong extern-b l-ahi. fisca I to admire these men and women
we are proud of. But more poiitlon uiniln rrau" ;;;;A; who. offer themselves for public
than that, we have a slate the country! economic
tnat represgnts experience More importanfly, ihe Drofije. credit
servlce.
I also ask candidates to resoect
and vision. They each,have a rating agency also assioned a the will of the people. I know
track record that is exemplary "stable,, buflbok to the ratino that you fought hard and, for
in creati.ng pfogress for reflecting its confidence thai some, this has been a stressful
our people, especially th€ the philiobine economv is rir<eiu campaign. But we have to look
poor. They have platforms to remiin stronq over tt6 beyond personal victories and
of governance thdt' would medium.term. see the larger picture. Let us
ensure continuity and We need to make sure that be magnanimous in victorv and
support the programs of the we move forward instead of qracious in defeat as the;lichd
administration of president going back to ori Uoom_Ou.i goes.
Ro_drigo Duterte. cycle years. We cannot afford I know it is hard to face defeat
I would also like to mention t6 loie ourmomentum anO after you have given it your
and.say.good luck to all the start att over again. iital ii all-litera lly and figuratively.
Nacionalista Party candidates why it is imporiant to vtte Nobody wants to lose, thatts
tor congress and other local for candidates with a clear, understandable. But it takes
positions. You are the heart concrete ptan to sustiin inii
courage to admit defeat, and
and soul of the party and you growth. ioot at canOioaiei character to be able to move on
make us proud. Rest assured and do not be swayed by and fight a nother day.
Pcac?