The Philippine Online Chronicles

For the longest time, I've had the pleasure of knowing Congressman Ruffy Biazon in the online world, but was never able to meet the person until just last Monday when the blogwatch team graciously provided space for myself in their meeting with four senatoriables of the Liberal Party.  The other senators that took part in the meeting was Neric Acosta, Martin Bautista, and TG Guingona.

I had one goal in mind with regards to this meeting, and that was to actually get a few moments with Congressman Biazon.  I have not kept it a secret that I am an ardent supporter of the congressman, and I truly hope he does get into the Senate.  Of all the congressmen in The Philippines, this is one man that shows up to work, from sunrise until sunset.  He has the time still to spend it with family, and as the father of boys, I admire his dedication to his family as well.

The bills that he has filed, and the bills that he has been involved with are too many to mention, and during the meeting with the LP Senatoriables he showed much of this experience. I must admit that he could have used a little more flair with his delivery, but flair is not the bar that we use in voting a public servant into office.  It is hard work, dedication, competence, as well as love of country and people that should be the benchmarks that we stick to.  And I know for a fact, that with Ruffy Biazon we have all of these.

I have not endorsed any candidate during this election season, but I will make Ruffy Biazon the first among many that I will ask everyone to vote for.  He works behind the limelight, away from the glare of the cameras.  He is not showbiz, nor is he the showman that we expect of many Senators these days.  But one thing he does promise is to work hard for The Filipino people.

The way that I have started this article, it may seem like a cheesy pickup line in order for everyone to see what this candidate has to offer, and I must admit, however cheesy it may seem, this man deserves the endorsement.

One of the key reasons that I wanted to meet with Ruffy Biazon this time around, was to ask him personally with regards to a pending bill that I am most interested in... A bill that has been sidelined in the last session of congress, and a bill that wasn't even heard in commmittee.  This bill is the Maritime Bill, and it must be said that it is Congressman Ruffy Biazon that has been leading the way with this bill.  I know some individuals who have been key into the development of this bill, individuals who have sacrificed probably 5 years of their lives in order for our maritime industry to see the light of a new day.  This is a maritime industry in The Philippines that has stagnated and has even kept deteriorating during the decades.

Sadly to say, we only keep focus on the state of our maritime industry whenever sea tragedies such as the sinking of The Princess of Stars happens, when lives in multitudes are lost because of incompetency and neglect from government, as well as the continuation of the control of key maritime industry players  in our maritime industry.  I talked to Ruffy Biazon about this after the meeting, and it's just a sad fact that the last congress really derailed or even chose to ignore many of the pending bills that should have been passed -- one such bill is definitely The Maritime Bill.

It should be a focus of the voting public to seek candidates that not only talk the talk, but walk the walk as well.  Heck, even walking the walk is enough for me.  No need for glitz and glamour, or a candidate with millions or even billions as part of their campaign warchest.  All I really need is a worker when it comes to legislating, getting the work done.

I keep the focus on the maritime industry as my main advocacy because as a promise to my cousin who died because of the sinking of the princess of the stars.  Our maritime industry is in dire need of saving, as an archipelago, it's just surprising that our very own government and legislature has chosen to ignore this most important industry.  Trust me, we will be reminded again, sadly, most probably with the next sea tragedy.

I have to give much credit for Ruffy Biazon in keeping this bill in mind and knowing the importance of such a bill.  For this and so many other reasons, candidate Ruffy Biazon really does deserve the vote of the Filipino people.

Nick is a Chemical Engineer who is passionate about The Philippines, politics, and the issues that involve our nation. He is the Editor-not-Chief of FilipinoVoices.com a social political blog.

Photo by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved.