Freddie Aguilar files COC for Senate bid in 2019 elections

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino folk musician Freddie Aguilar filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections head office today, October 11 for a seat in the Senate in the 2019 national elections.

Freddie Aguilar files COC to run as senator
Freddie Aguilar files COC to run as senator: “Mahal na Panginoon na po ang magsasabi kung saan tayo pupulutin."

Aguilar, who is now 65 years old, aims to run under the administration’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). He shared that he was finally convinced by his supporters to give politics a chance due to his advocacies.

Aguilar said, “After 40 years, nakumbinsi na nila ako tumakbo sa Senado. Matagal na nila akong kinukumbinsi dahil daw sa aking mga advocacy sa kanta ko at ‘yung nagpapayag sa aking ay mga ordinaryong mamamayan.”

Aguilar added, “Pati po ako na walang hilig sa politics ay tumakbo na rin po. Mahal na Panginoon na po ang magsasabi kung saan tayo pupulutin."

The “Anak” singer explained that he had always been a supporter of Federalism and is now looking at helping to make changes in the country. Aguilar said, "I have 40 years of history advocating for change. All you have to do is listen to my songs like 'Katarungan' or 'Sa Kuko ng Agila.'”

Aguilar is also looking at making changes in the entertainment industry. As a performer himself, he lamented on how entertainers aren’t protected and will be pushing to make sure entainters will have weekly, monthly or yearly contracts. He said, "We entertainers have no tenure. Our managers or bosses can remove us anytime. If I win, I want to protect our entertainers."

A known supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, Aguilar sang Duterte’s election campaign jingle back in 2016. He was supposed to be appointed by the President chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts but commissioners instead picked Virgilio Almario, a National Artist for Literature in 2003.

According to Pulse Asia’s survey last month on pre-senatorial election survey, Aguilar placed in the 23rd to 32nd bracket.

The filing of COC starts on October 11 and it will be until October 17.

— Sally, The Summit Express



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