Macalintal files COC for Senator

Macalintal files COC for Senator

Lawyer Romulo Macalintal with f ellow election lawyers, Beng Sardillo, former Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes and George Garcia who accompanied him when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy for Senator at the Comelec.

Mr. Senior Citizen: MacaRomy: For Senator accompanied by the kawyers of Marcos, FPJ and Robredo

True to his promise to take up the cudgels for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs), prominent election lawyer and advocate for elderly rights Romulo Macalintal filed his certificate of candidacy for Senator on its last day of filing at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Paraphrasing the song “Handog” by Florante, Macalintal told a big crowd  of senior citizens at the Comelec that “tatanda at lilipas din ako, ngunit mayroong batas na iiwanan para sa inyong alaala.”

Using the monicker “MacaRomy,” Macalintal said that “kung gutom na kayo sa pagbabago, MacaRomy ang kailangan ninyo.”

In filing his COC, Macalintal was accompanied by his fellow election lawyers, George Garcia, the lawyer of Bongbong Marcos who has a pending election protest against Macalintal’s client, Vice-President Leni Robredo; former Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes who was the lawyer of Fernando Poe, Jr., in the latter’s election protest against Macalintal’s client, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; and Beng Sardillo, Macalintal’s co-counsel in the Robredo case.

Lawyer Romulo Macalintal with his ever supportive wife, Milagros Macalintal, also joined him at the Comelec when he filed his COC.

Asked why they accompanied Macalintal, Garcia said that “ibig pong sabihin walang kinikilalang kulay ang pagsisilbi sa senior citizens.”  On the part of Brillantes, he said that “kami naman ay walang personalan, trabaho lang kami.”

Macalintal’s wife, Mila, was also there to witness his filing of his COC and to show their family’s support for his candidacy.

Macalintal vowed to push for measures that will enhance the benefits and privileges currently received by the senior citizens.

“I will propose an increase in the rate of their discounts on medicine, hospital and other medical services.  When they reach 70 years old, the discount should not only be 20% but should be 30%; at age 80 the discount should be 40%; and at age 90 and above, they should be entitled to 50% discount,” Macalintal said.

He said “the Centenarian law which gives P100K to senior citizens (SC) who reach 100 years old should also be amended to insure that this benefit are enjoyed by the elderly at an early age. Thus, I propose that upon reaching 80 years old, the SC should be given P30K; at 90 years old another P30K and at 100 years old the balance of P40K; and an additional P100K for every year beyond 100 years old.

“Ilan lang ba naman ang nakakarating ng 100 years old?  So, habang bata pa tayo, dapat mag-enjoy at maramdaman natin ang biyayang ito mula sa pamahalaan,” Macalintal added.

Macalintal is running as an Independent candidate although he is the “guest candidate” of Vice-President Leni Robredo in her coalition party, aside from being endorsed by some party-list groups.

(PRESS RELEASE)