Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee was the first to file a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Senator in the May 2025 elections. He will run under Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party founded by his fellow Bicolano, the late Senator Raul Roco.
During the post-filing interview, the solon from Bicol laid out his campaign advocacies which are in continuation of his work in the House of Representatives.
“Naniniwala po tayo na yung ating mga nasimulan sa Kongreso ay maipagpapatuloy at mas mapagbubuti pa natin sa Senado. Ito po ang layunin na makamit ang murang pagkain, tiyak na trabaho, sapat na kita, at mawalan ng pangamba ang mga Pilipino na magkasakit dahil sa takot na malubog sa utang at kahirapan,” Lee said.
After he filed his COC, Lee met and expressed gratitude with his supporters who flocked to the Tent City, Manila Hotel.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po inyong patuloy na suporta. Napakalaking hamon po nitong ating pagtakbo. Pero tulad ng nakaraang dalawang taon, marami tayong napagtagumpayang laban na magkakasama, lalo na sa pagpapagaan sa pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, at paghahanap ng solusyon sa matatagal nang problema ng ating mga kababayan,” Lee said, addressing his supporters.
Lee then visited his fellow Bicolano and Sorsoganon, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero in the Senate.
“Gusto po nating higit pang makatulong, lalo na sa mahihirap nating kababayan. Sila na hirap bumili ng pagkain. Hirap bumili ng gamot. Hirap magbayad sa ospital. Hirap sa pamasahe, baon at gamit sa eskwela. Hirap makakuha ng ayuda.”
In the said meeting, Lee and Escudero likewise exchanged ideas on pursuing their shared initiatives such as improving the benefits of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating kapwa Bicolano at Sorsoganon, Senate President Chiz Escudero, sa aming produktibong talakayan. Marami po tayong natutunan sa kanya, lalo na sa pagsusulong ng mahahalagang batas at programa para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mas nangangailangan,” the solon from Bicol said.
Lee is among the strongest voices in Congress who is known for his impassioned advocacies and efficient lawmaking. He is the principal authors of several landmark measures such as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, and Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, among others.
A staunch health advocate, Lee successfully pushed for the 30% across-the-board increase of PhilHealth benefits implemented last February 14.
During the recently concluded House Plenary Budget Deliberations, Lee prevailed over the Department of Health in providing a comprehensive plan and timeline in lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos, particularly by increasing the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefit packages.
Due to his persistent efforts, Lee was able to secure strong commitment from DOH and PhilHealth to implement another round of benefits package enhancement, across-the-board by 50% effective November 2024, to cover diagnostic tests such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of outpatient services, and cover at least 80% of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than December 31, 2024, among other additional health services.
In seeking a Senate seat, Lee remarked: “Gusto po nating higit pang makatulong, lalo na sa mahihirap nating kababayan. Sila na hirap bumili ng pagkain. Hirap bumili ng gamot. Hirap magbayad sa ospital. Hirap sa pamasahe, baon at gamit sa eskwela. Hirap makakuha ng ayuda. Hirap makahanap ng hustisya o katarungan. Hirap sa buhay na nawawalan na ng pag-asang makaahon. Kailangan po natin ng lider na may takot sa Diyos, lalaban nang walang takot para sa lahat ng karapatan at deserve na serbisyo ng mga Pilipino.”
