Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel underscored the importance of public forum and town hall meetings in enhancing political discourse and urged his fellow candidates in Marikina to join public discussions on the city’s problems and solutions.
Pimentel expressed his disappointment over the absence of some candidates at the Marikina Candidates Forum hosted by Rappler recently.
However, he remained optimistic that future forums would provide opportunities for more inclusive discussions.
“Sayang. Dapat sana para maiangat natin ‘yung level ng political discourse o ‘yung pangangampanya. Lahat ng kandidato, lahat ng kampo, lahat ng panig, nagte-take advantage sa mga fora, mga gathering, mga town hall talk, mga debate,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker emphasized that such platforms are crucial for voters to hear directly from those running for office.
“Gusto nila kayong marinig. Huwag ‘yung boycott kayo nang boycott. Sayang.”
“Kasi actually, inaasahan ‘yan o ine-expect ‘yan ng taong-bayan eh. Gusto nila kayong marinig. Huwag ‘yung boycott kayo nang boycott. Sayang,” the senator added.
The forum was attended by Pimentel, Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, former Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman, and Miro Quimbo.
Pimentel stressed that the presence of candidates in these discussions is essential for a more transparent and issue-based campaign.
“Hindi naman mag-iinsultuhan ‘yan; isyu naman ang pag-uusapan diyan.”
“Sayang kasi, pagdating naman dito sa Marikina, yung discourse natin, yung pananalita naman natin, medyo mataas naman eh. Hindi naman mag-iinsultuhan ‘yan; isyu naman ang pag-uusapan diyan. Sayang,” he noted.
Encouraging all candidates to engage in future forums, Pimentel called on all political camps to take advantage of these opportunities, whether organized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) or other organizations.
“Yung kampo sana nila Teodoro, sana mag-attend sila sa mga public fora, mga debates na ino-organize, kung COMELEC man o ng NGO, sana puntahan nila,” he said.
Pimentel also urged Marikenyos to be discerning in their choices, using his well-known phrase, “Use Your Kokote”.
“Pag-isipan na lang po ninyo kasi alam naman ninyo kung sinong team, sinong tao ang makakabuti po dito sa lungsod ng Marikina. Walang iba kundi ‘Use Your KOKOte!’” he said.
Pimentel reassured voters that his candidacy is focused on solutions rather than negative campaigning.
“Ang mensahe ko sa Marikenyo: Si Senador Koko Pimentel, galing na po ako sa national, hindi na po ako makikibatuhan ng putik. Nandito lang po ako, nagpe-presenta bilang kinatawan sa Distrito Uno sa lungsod ng Marikina para makapagdala ng tulong at makatulong sa distrito at saka sa lungsod,” he said.
“Kung tayo’y palarin, ang pangako ko sa inyo: mabilis at maganda ang ating gagawing pagbabago sa lungsod ng Marikina,” Pimentel concluded.
