Davao Today: During your campaign sorties in Mindanao, what do you think is the major problem here that should be addressed?
Ocampo: What is being mentioned now is the power crisis but this is only a specific problem which we think cannot be addressed by the emergency powers being asked by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It can be addressed through taking back the control of National Power Corporation (Napocor); give back to the government’s control the production and distribution of electricity. The lack of employment is also rampant here. The continuing war in Mindanao is also included in the Makabayan platform on the peace process. There is a need to address the root cause.
Davao Today: When you were still in the Congress, what were the difficulties you or your partylist Bayan Muna encountered in passing a house bill?
Ocampo: If the bill is in conflict with the interests of the congressmen, they will not give the bill a chance. The process is that you file the bill and it will be read in the first session then referred to the committee. The committee chair has the discretion to schedule a public hearing. If he doesn’t schedule a committee hearing that is his right or power, although we find it unjust. That is why nothing happened in our bill on abolishing political dynasties. We are also wondering why Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not want to pass the Marcos compensation bill. The bill has been running since 1998. In 2004, the House and the Senate were able to pass the bill but she had it stopped. The problem in the House of Representatives, when the Malacanang controls the majority, no bill will be passed without Gloria’s certification. In the Senate, they can decide but if the House will not also pass what the Senate has passed, nothing happens too.
Makabayan senatorial bet Satur Ocampo. (davaotoday.com filephoto by Karlos Manlupig)
Davao Today: How did you deal with the ‘numbers game’ in passing a bill in Congress? How will you go about it in the Senate?
Ocampo: Numbers game also plays in the Senate but the effort to overcome it is lesser compared to that in the House which has many members. In our previous experience, because of patronage politics, it’s hard to stop a bill from passing when Gloria certifies it just like the Evat; they still passed it.
Davao Today: What were the bills you passed? What were your major contributions?
Ocampo: We think that our most significant contribution is we gave reality to the partylist’ purpose that is in our Constitution. However, the administration with the compliance of the Comelec is subverting the partylist’ purpose by allowing partylists which are not really representing the marginalized sectors to run. Second, we were uncompromising in our positions in exposing anomalies. We initiated investigations and we did not succumb to whatever threats or offer of bribery. Third, the progressive partylists were part of passing some gender-sensitive bills like the outlawing and trafficking of women and children, violence against women and children (VAWC) and magna carta for women. We were also able to pass the anti- torture law. We also passed a bill asking for additional salary and personnel in public attorney’s office to give free legal assistance. We also authored abolishing death penalty. There is a major pending bill which is the right to information bill which could have been a big factor on anti- corruption but Nograles did not want to calendar. But it was approved in the committee level for second hearing.
Davao Today: What will be among your priorities?
Ocampo: To uplift the conditions of the poor and oppressed by implementing agrarian reform and giving support to the farmers. Increasing the wages of the workers and changing the status of contractual workers to regular workers. Spread and free the health services, education and housing. Decrease the oil prices, water and electricity. Have a nationalist economy and honest government by protecting and developing the Filipino agriculture and industries. Stop automatic payment of foreign debt and cancel unfair agreements with other countries. Oppose corruption; go after the thieves and abusers in the government. Promote a just peace by advancing the peace talks and resolve roots of armed conflict. Stop the killing, abuction and harassment of activists, members of the opposition and the media. Give justice and compensation to victims of human rights abuses.
