Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has called on all candidates in Marikina City to participate in a regular town hall debate where they can directly present their platforms and solutions to the city’s pressing issues.
“Ang halalan ay dapat tungkol sa mga plataporma at solusyon sa problema ng Marikina tulad ng baha, trabaho at tulong sa mga sapatero. Hindi ito paingayan ng mga troll,” said Pimentel who is running for Marikina City 1st District representative.
“Face the people and answer their questions. If you want to serve, you should be ready to face them,” Pimentel emphasized. “Huwag boykot ng boykot sa town hall debate o meeting, dapat magharap tayo at magbigay-linaw sa mga isyu ng Marikina,” according to Pimentel, 1990 bar topnotcher.
Pimentel stressed the need to discuss Marikina’s ₱3.6 billion debt, flooding, job opportunities, and the struggling shoe industry in these debates.
“Harapin natin ang Marikenyos para alam nila ang direksyon ng bawat isa sa atin, ano solusyon natin sa lumolobong utang ng Marikina dahil apektado ang lungsod. Walang siraan dito kundi maginoong debate.”
He also suggested that the event should be hosted by impartial institutions, such as media organizations or churches, to ensure fair and meaningful discussions.
“Let’s talk about platforms, not personal attacks. Marikina is the real candidate here—its future is at stake.”
On February 9, 2025, Rappler hosted a Marikina Candidates Forum, inviting all local candidates.
However, the Teodoro family was notably absent from the event. Mayor Marcy Teodoro, who is running for the 1st District of Marikina, and his wife, Rep. Maan Teodoro, who is running for mayoralty, both chose to skip the forum. Despite the invitation, only mayoral candidate Stella Quimbo, former Congressman Miro Quimbo, vice mayoral candidate Del De Guzman, and Marikina 1st District congressional candidate Koko Pimentel III attended and faced the questions of Marikeños.
During the forum, Pimentel thoroughly explained his “BTS Program” – Baha (Flooding), Trabaho (Jobs), and Sapatos (Shoes).
“Flooding isn’t something we’ll just fix—we’ll prevent it! We need proper river dredging, expanded drainage systems, and strict enforcement of laws to keep our waterways clear.”
Water impoundments should be supported like the dam that will be built upstream in Montalban, Rizal to control the water flow and mitigate flooding in Marikina, according to Pimentel.
For job creation, Pimentel emphasized that solving Marikina’s flooding problem will attract investors and generate employment opportunities. “Once the flooding problem is solved, more businesses like BPOs will be encouraged to invest in Marikina. Saving the shoe industry will also create employment and business opportunities.”
Pimentel also stressed the importance of unity among local leaders to promote progress in Marikina. “If we want to make Marikina a business and investor-friendly city, local leaders must cooperate and avoid constant feuding. Collaboration is key to making Marikina attractive to investors.”
Regarding Marikina’s shoe industry, Pimentel vowed to push for government agencies to prioritize locally-made Marikina shoes for public procurement and to establish a Marikina Shoe Expo to further expand the market for local shoemakers.
“If we want to revive our shoe industry, the government should be the first to buy and promote Marikina-made shoes! Let’s support our own products.”
Pimentel once again challenged all Marikina candidates to join the town hall debate. He emphasized, “Harapin natin ang Marikenyos para alam nila ang direksyon ng bawat isa sa atin, ano solusyon natin sa lumolobong utang ng Marikina dahil apektado ang lungsod. Walang siraan dito kundi maginoong debate.”
