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Political heavy hitters

By arlo J, Ililallarl
Two former senators, both coming
ftom linown political clans, axe guming
a comeback in the coming May midterm
elections bringing with them wide
-
experience in the country's political
lardscape,
Just lite her father, the late Sen. Renato
nCompaflero' Cayetanb, and younger
Armed with the training of a
lawyer, the discipline of an athlete
and the heart of a mother, Pia excelled
in her lirst term as legislator and was
reelected to a second ierm in 2010.
Women, elderly welfare
During her Senate stint, she pushed
. lwn to Fge A

brother, former Sen. ud ot-Foreign Affain

Secreta.ry AlanPeter Cayeiano, Taguig Rep.
flsxo
\DEHSnilfl
Pia Cayetano is a lawyer ard efuned the
moniker'Pinay InAction" named after
q/
i,ry*n*m;;i*"4d".r"c
her Senate stint.
****
^

****
As a lawma,ker, Pia stood tall as
a champion of women's rights and
staunch adYocate of health.
The youngest woman elected
in Philippine Senate history she
proved there is no limit to what
Filipino women can achieve.
In 2008, as incumbert senator, she
became the fint Filipina and Asian in
the history of the lrter-Parlianentary
Union to be elected presideni of tlrc
Cornmittee of \&men Farliunentarians'
She held the position from 2008 to 2010, CAYETANO

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 Political heavy hitters
From page ,
fOr the passage of several measures benefiting women,
chil&en and the elderly, while also working to irnprove
public health and social services for the poor and
marginalized.
SpecificaJly, senator Pia worked for the passage of
three landmark laws by sponsoring the Reproductive
Health Law (Republic Act 10364); fighiing for RA
10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Law and pushing for
RA 10643 or the Graphic Health Warning Act.

He has also €arned the reputation of being;

the Senatets'rfearless ffscalizer.'
Apart from the three landmark legislations, she
also supported the following laws: RA 10606 or the Act
Amendi-ng the Nalional Health Insurance AcU Foster Care
Act IRA 10f65); Mandatory Infants and Children Health
Immunization Act (RA 10152); Dxpanded Breastreeding
Promotion Act (RA 10028); Establishment of Persons
with Disability Affairs 0ffice Act @A f0070);
Expanded Senior Ciiizens Aci @A 9994); Food
and Drugs Administration Act (RA 9711);
Magna Caxta ofwomen (RA 9710), Unirenally
Accessible Cheaper and Qualiw Medicines
Act (RA 9502); Nationai Anti-Rabies Act (RA
9482), and the Environmental Awareness
and Education Act (RA 9512).

Health buff i
outside the Senate halls, Pia promotes hgr
advocacies through 'Pinay In Action" (women empowerment), Bike for Hope
(environment and healthy lifestyle) and Gabriel's Symphony Foundation which
helps children with disabilities and special needs.
As health advocate, she aciively j0ins local and internaiional .narathons,
duathlons, triatNons and Ironman competitions. ji:
With her long list of aacomplishments as a lawnaler,
has mme into her
Pira o.v\;n - building
ar€nF \ l
a name of her own in the national politicsl '

Just like Senator Cayetano, former Sen. Serge osmeia III comes from poldcal
heaqweights in Cebu - the 0smeflas. Both of his grandfathers - Sergio Osmeftb Si.
and Esteban de la Rama -
and his father, Sergio 0smefla Jr., served as senatbrs.

During her Senate stint, she pushed for the passage of severa,l
measures beneffting women, children and the elderly.
Osmefla was elected in 1995 and reelected in 2001 and 2010. I{e chaired the
Senate Committees on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies and 0nergr.
The Senate website states that 0smena's legislative efforts were focused on
measures that would transform Phitippine society into one that would be kindir
and gentler to all Filipinos, especially those who have less in life. I
He advocated the promotion of inclusive economic growth and help the poor escape
from povefty, that's why more jobs must be created by the economy. His efforts wete
focused on lowering the costs of doing business in the Philippines and reducing the
bureaucratic lo$am.

Focus on economy
0smefla has authored and/or sponsored numerous economic refoft
measures, such as the new Insurance Code, the new National
Elecirification Administmtion chaJter, the new Rural Banlc Act
which allows loreign capital infusion in rural banls, the Anti-Money
Laundering laq the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Government
Procuement Act, Securities Regulations Code and the Electric Power
Industry Reform Act.
.feadess
He has also eamed the rcputation ofbeing the Senate's fiscalizer' - resporsible
for numerous oe0sds of $aft and comrption, anong others the P1l2 billion spent for
impofted overpriced $eel bridges under the President's Bridges Program.
0smefra was also credited for exposing the many behest loans granted by tlle
Development Bank of the Philippines, underpriced SSS-Equitable Bank deal, the
PNCC-Radst0ck scam, IMPSA-CBK, PIATCO-Frapoft Terminal 3 scam and Marconi +po
Radar and Casecnan power contracts, saving iehs of billions of pesos for the
Filipino people.