One important part of the election period just ended, with hundreds of political aspirants signifying their intent to get elected in the May 2022 polls.

They cited different reasons for why they are running – from the desire to fix a country placed in shambles by President Rodrigo Duterte, to continuing what they call the administration’s “legacy.”

Rappler lists some of quotes – memorable, inspiring, gut-wrenching, and thought-provoking – from aspirants during their candicacy launches and filing of certificates.

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Vice President Leni Robredo, presidential aspirant

“Naaalala ko nga ’yung maraming kaso ng domestic abuse na hinawakan ko noong nag-aabogado pa ako, kung paanong tiniis ng mga kliyente ko ang pang-aabuso at pananakit ng asawa nila. Kapag tinanong mo kung bakit, iisa ang sagot: alang-alang sa mga anak nila.

At naaalala ko kapag, sa wakas, pinili na nilang lumaya – kapag nahanap nila ang tapang na mag-empake, bitbitin ang mga bata, at gawin ang unang hakbang papalabas ng pinto nila. Dahil natauhan na sila na, kung hindi sila maglalakas ng loob, mamanahin lang ng mga anak nila ang pagdurusa.

Ina akong nakikita ang pagdurusa ng minamahal kong bansa. Naniniwala ako: Ang pag-ibig, nasusukat hindi lang sa pagtitiis, kundi sa kahandaang lumaban, kahit gaano kahirap, para matapos na ang pagtitiis. Ang nagmamahal, kailangang ipaglaban ang minamahal.”

(I remember seeing cases of domestic abuse I handled when I was an active lawyer, and how my clients put up with their husbands who continued to abuse them. When you asked them why, they only had one answer: for the sake of our children. I remember when they finally found the courage to pack up their things and take the first step towards freedom with their children. Because they knew that if they didn’t act, their children would be subjected also to the abuse. I am a mother who has seen the suffering of my beloved nation. This is what I believe in: Love cannot be measured by sacrifices alone, but by one’s readiness to fight, no matter how hard, to put an end to these sacrifices. A person who loves someone must fight for her beloved.)

---

Angie de SIlva/Rappler

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, presidential aspirant

“Hindi matayog na ambisyon ang nagtulak sa aking desisyon. Ngunit nang dahil sa kalunoslunos na kundisyon ng ating bayan. (It is not ambition that fueled my decision, but the dire situation of our country.) Other countries applied best practices, conducted field trials of scientific solutions. We, on the other hand, have used our people as guinea pigs in the longest and strictest experiment of unli-quarantines.”

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Senator Manny Pacquiao, presidential aspirant

“Panahon na upang manalo naman ang mga naaapi. Panahon na para makabangon ang bayan natin na lugmok sa kahirapan. Panahon na ng isang malinis na gobyerno na kung saan ang bawat sentimo ay mapupunta sa bawat Filipino.”

(It is now the time for the oppressed to win. It is now the time for our nation to rise from poverty. It is now the time for a clean government where every centavo goes to Filipinos.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, vice presidential aspirant

“Kung alam natin kung gaano kalaki ang nakataya, tungkulin nating tanggapin – at harapin – ang anumang hamon. Tungkulin nating isantabi ang pangamba. Tungkulin nating maging matapang para sa ating mga anak at sa mga mahal sa buhay, at nawa’y ikalat ang katapangan na ito sa iba pa.”

(If we know how high the stakes are, then it is our duty to accept – and face – any challenge. It is our duty to cast away our fears. It is our duty to be brave for our children and our loved ones, and to hopefully spread courage to everyone.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Labor leader Leody de Guzman, presidential aspirant

“Huwag nating ulitin ang kasaysayan na ituturo sa atin. Matuto tayo. Kapag hindi tayo nagkaroon ng pagbabago at umasa tayo sa mga sikat, sa mga taong may bulto-bultong perang gagastusin sa eleksiyon, magiging disyerto ng kahirapan ang bansa na perlas ng silangan.”

(Let us not repeat mistakes in history. Let us learn. If we do not change and just place our hopes in those who are popular, those who have tons of money to spend in this elections, our country, the Pearl of the Orient, will become a desert of poverty.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Former Duterte spokesperson Ernesto Abella, presidential aspirant

“Sa matagal nang panahon, ang nagpapagalaw ng bayan ay ang samahan ng gobyerno at ang malaking negosyo…. I have experienced interviewing many overseas Filipino workers, and all they want is to be able to reinvest in the nation of the Philippines. Kailangan nating buksan – bigyan natin sila ng paraan para makapag-invest, so that they can bring back the genius that they have learned from all over the world. Kailangan pong kasali ang mamamayan o civil society sa usapan at sosyo ng gobyerno.”

(For the longest time, the country is being run by just the government and big businesses. I have experienced interviewing many overseas Filipino workers, and all they want is to be able to reinvest in the nation of the Philippines. We need to open our doors and give them the opportunity and way to invest, so they can bring back the genius that they have learned from all over the world. We need to include the public or civil society in discussions on how to run the government.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Security guard Phil delos Reyes, senatorial aspirant

“Hindi ’yung kung sino lang ’yung mayaman, kung sino lang ang magaling, ’yun lang ang makakapasok sa gano’ng ambisyon. Dapat lahat, kung sinoman ang may ambisyon”

(It’s not only the rich and talented who should get to fulfill their ambitions. It has to be anyone with ambition.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Street vendor Nelson Ancajas, senatorial aspirant

“Bilang magulang, lahat gagawin natin para sa ating anak. Ako, ordinaryong Filipino, gustong mabuhay ang anak ko. Wala akong maasahan sa gobyerno, masipag naman ako, graduate ako, kaya lang, papaano nga naman, ang hirap umangat?”

(As a parent, I will do everything for my child. I am an ordinary Filipino who wants my child to live. I can’t expect anything from this government. I am hardworking, diligent, and finished school. But what do I do? It’s still difficult to rise from poverty.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, senatorial aspirant

“May isang sektor na nabubulok sa korupsiyon. Isang sektor na nabubulok sa pang-aapi. Binubusog nila ang sarili nila sa pera at kapangyarihan ng bayan. Palagay ko tama na ‘yan eh. Sobra na ‘yan. Kung ako ay bibigyan ng pagkakataon na magsilbi bilang isang senador, gagawin nating abot-kamay ang hustisya.”

(There is a sector rotting because of corruption, another sector rotting because of oppression. They are fattening themselves with money and power entrusted by the people. That should stop. It’s too much. If I’d be given the chance to serve as senator, I will make sure that justice is within reach.)

---

Angie de Silva/Rappler

Human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares, senatorial aspirant

“We will oppose a Marcos and a Duterte in Malacañang. Next year is the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, and I will be damned if we allow them, the Marcoses and the Dutertes, to stay in power. All the more a united opposition a neccessity if we are to effectively oppose the Marcos and Duterte dynasties. The Filipino people is not condemned to eternal poverty and repression. Hindi iyan ang kapalaran natin. My Senate run is an expression of hope and struggle as part of the people’s movement for social reform.”

---

Dwight de Leon/Rappler

Former Ifugao representative Teddy Baguilat Jr., senatorial aspirant

“Kung titingnan natin ang hugis ng Senado ngayo,n karamihan ng mga nakaupo, karamihan ng mga kandidato, either political dynasties, either sikat na celebrities, mga abogado, retired military, mga multi-millionaires. Subukan naman po natin ang naiiba. It’s high time that indigenous peoples come out and say na kaya rin po natin tumulong sa Senado. Hindi lang po tayo nasa dekorasyon, Hindi lang tayo props. Pero ang mga katutubo, kaya rin magbigay ng ambag nila para sa ating bayan.”

(If we are going to look at the Senate, you will see that many of those occupying seats, the candidates, are from political dynastics, famous celebrities, lawyers, retired military, and multi-millionaries. Let’s try something else this time. It’s high time that indigenous peoples come out and say we can also help in the Senate. We are not just decorations or props. Indigenous peoples can contribute a lot to this country.)

---

Mags Z. Maglala Campaign Team

NGO worker Mags Maglana, congressional aspirant challenging Davao 1st District Representative Paolo ‘Polong’ Duterte 

“Kailangan nang itapon ang lumang governance playbook ng Davao City na siyang ginamit for 35 years. Itinatali tayo nito sa mga sitwasyong ang interes ng iilan ang nangingibabaw at the expense of people’s rights and welfare and good governance.“

(We should do away with the old governance playbook of Davao City which has been used for 35 years. We were tied to a situation where the interest of only a few reigned supreme at the expense of people’s rights and welfare and good governance.)

---

Rappler

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, reelectionist

“Hindi pa rin tayo gagastos nang malaki. Tandaan – ang gagastos nang malaki sa kampanya ay malaki rin ang babawiin. Okay lang tawagin akong kuripot, at least hindi magnanakaw. Ang importante, nagagamit sa tama at nang buo ang pera ng taumbayan.”

(We will not spend a lot. Remember, those who spend too much in the campaign will recoup their cost once elected. It’s okay if they call me frugal, at least I’m not a thief. What is important is we properly use taxpayers’ money.)

– Rappler.com