‘My ears are all open’

‘My ears are all open’

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR TOBIAS ENVERGA, JR.

By Dyan Ruiz

The Philippine Reporter interviewed Enverga about his appointment to the Senate a few hours after it was announced. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Q. I know you’re just processing the news of the appointment, but have you thought about what you want to focus on as Senator?

A. It’s hard because I don’t really know the exact job, but I would like to advocate for the community for all the kababayan and immigrants. I know PM Harper wants to promote jobs and growth and I want to promote the same. At this time I think I can use my economics background for long-term prosperity.

Q. What’s your political affiliation?

A. I used to be a member of the Conservative party, but I’m not currently. I’m not a registered member.

Q. Did you campaign for the federal Conservative Party?

A. I helped my friends, yes.

Q. Your friends who were Conservative Party candidates?

A. Yes, I helped them. The people that helped me, I helped them. They don’t have to be Conservative.

Q. They just turned out to be Conservative?

A. Yes, it just so happened.

Q. Who are those candidates?

A. Joe Oliver and Peter Kent.

Q. As far as representing Filipino-Canadians better in government, what types of things are you thinking of?

A. Well, I will be around. I’m not really going anywhere. I will have a wider territory to cover and I will always advocate for our community. It’s really hard to tell now because I don’t really know what I can do.

Q. Do you have anything else you’d like to say to the community?

A. My appointment is not only my appointment. It’s an appointment for the whole Filipino community. I hope we can all come together as one. My ears are all open. Hopefully we can do right and make sure our voices are heard.

If it has to be me, so be it. I’ll try everything in my power, whatever I can to ensure that we are listened to and given the opportunity to make some decisions for the country.