Senator Joel Villanueva launched his campaign for a second term in the Senate, vowing to continue his agenda of job creation and strengthen employment security in the country.
Villanueva outlined his achievements and platform as he rallied his audience to vote for his reelection in a campaign kick-off video posted in his official Facebook accounts.
The video showed the veteran legislator speaking before a live audience and teleconference guests consisting of workers, students, beneficiaries of programs championed by seasoned lawmaker, and Overseas Filipino Workers from 24 countries.
“Sa unang araw na ito ng kampanya, nakikita ng aking dalawang mata at nararamdaman ng aking buong katawan, na hindi ako nag-iisa sapagkat kasama ko kayo. Sama-sama po nating trabahuhin ang trabaho sa mahal nating Pilipinas,” the senator told his supporters.
He said that any of this year’s candidates for president or vice president have jobs and employment as part of their platforms, which is why his advocacy should continue in the Senate.
Referring to these candidates, Villanueva said that “Bagaman magkakaiba ang kanilang mga posisyon sa pulitika, meron po silang common denominator: kailangan si TESDAMAN sa Senado.”
His campaign video included endorsements from presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
On top of his perfect attendance in Senate sessions with more than 500 bills and resolutions filed, the former director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) mentioned that he was able to pass crucial laws during his first term that strengthen the labor sector and provide livelihood opportunities for Filipinos.
Villanueva was instrumental in the enactment of laws such as the Tulong Trabaho Act, the law establishing the Department of Migrant Workers, First Time Jobseekers’ Assistance Act, Work From Home or Telecommuting Act, and the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act.
He said that he wants to continue his work in the Senate to ensure that the laws he passed are implemented properly.
“Ang mga naipasa nating batas, dapat nai-implement nang maayos.”
“Ang mga naipasa nating batas, dapat nai-implement nang maayos. Dapat napopondohan ng maayos. Dapat nakikinabang ang ating mga kababayan,” Villanueva said.
He promised to focus on employment security in his second Senate term as the next phase of his advocacy for Filipino workers.
“Walang panahon na mawawalan ng oportunidad na magkatrabaho, magka-hanapbuhay, at magkaroon ng kita.”
“Ito po ang commitment sa bawat isa sa inyo ng inyong TESDAMAN: Walang panahon na mawawalan ng oportunidad na magkatrabaho, magka-hanapbuhay, at magkaroon ng kita, para maranasan nila ang masayang pagbabago,” Villanueva stressed.
He is looking into institutionalizing and strengthening policies such as unemployment insurance, the National Employment Recovery Strategy, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Emergency Employment Program, and employment transition support programs as part of his reelection campaign platform.
Villanueva is also keen on passing laws for flexible employment arrangements, including allowing employees to have voluntary work arrangements, providing job opportunities for senior citizens, as well as supporting freelancers and the gig economy.
He also called for empowerment in the workplace by protecting the rights of workers, and cultivating knowledge and skills development in enterprises, science and technology, and medicine.
Villanueva is running as an independent candidate for his second term for senator.
He garnered the second highest number of votes in the 2016 national elections in his first Senate run.
Villanueva has since chaired the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, Committee on Youth (during the 17th Congress), and Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education (during the current 18th Congress).
