Representative Rodolfo Ordanes’ Chief of Staff Michell Sastado and legal counsel Atty. Maria Rhona S. Vergara filed the Senior Citizen Party-list’s Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) today, October 5. 

The Senior Citizen party-list vows more sensible laws for welfare of the elderly,retirees and pensioners. “We will continue to push for the COVID vaccination and treatment of seniors,” Ordanes said.

The party-list is known as the prime mover of the proposal to raise at least P1,000 from the P500 monthly social pension of indigent senior citizens or House Bill 9459 in which the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading in July 2021 and is now in the Senate.

Cong. Ordanes also successfully shepherded another bill to approval on 3rd and final reading in the House – the bill for early voting for seniors and PWDs in national and local elections (HB 9562). Once it becomes a law, it will allow early voting for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) to cast their ballots at an accessible establishment designated by the COMELEC within seven working days before the set date of the elections. 

Meanwhile, Senior Citizen Party-list’s noteworthy pieces of legislation were also mentioned. The Centenarian Bill (HB 8003), Bayanihan to Arise As One Act (HB 8461), Philhealth Premium Rate Hike Suspension (HB 8462) among others. 

“I will suggest to the House leadership and the senators a slight but meaningful amendment of our Rules. I am hoping they will see the wisdom of keeping alive the bills,” Ordanes ended. 

The party-list’s primary constituents are the 10 million seniors nationwide. Also among their related constituencies are the war veterans, armed services retirees, and pensioners.

Photo Credit: Facebook/HouseofRepsPH