Kumbersyon

The Christian movement Tatak Kristiyano has thrown its support behind the senatorial bid of former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta, inviting her to speak on its multisectoral forums in various areas nationwide on the Role of Christians in Politics and Governance.

Tatak Kristiyano is a Christian movement working towards national transformation. Its members come from various sectors of society who aspire to put god-fearing and morally upright political leaders in government. The Movement's lead convenors are Gus Lising, Luigi Tabuena, Butch Albert, Renato "Kaka" Constantino, Mila Aguilar, Dong 'DC' Cucio, Andrea Echavez and Philip Castillo.

Earlier, pastors of the popular Victory Christian Fellowship stated their support for Oreta, saying that with her growing personal relationship with Christ coupled with her extensive experience as a lawmaker, they believe that she will be a great blessing to the country if she will be allowed to serve again as a senator.

Oreta has been invited to speak in the forums of Tatak Kristiyano in different areas all over the country including Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Antipolo, Manila, Quezon, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Olongapo, Tuguegarao, Bacolod and Quezon City. In these forums, she discussed her platform on Free Preschool Education, Scholarship for poor but deserving college students through the "Study Now Pay Later Plan" and other programs for the promotion of women's welfare and teachers.

As former chairperson of the Senate education committee, her seven-point legislative agenda was focused on children and education. She launched this at the beginning of her term as senator in 1998.

According to the members of Tatak Kristiyano, the multisectoral fora to which they have invited the former senator to speak is part of the PEACE PLAN which have been implemented by various church-based organizations all year round. PEACE PLAN stands for Planting Churches, Equipping Leaders, Assisting the Poor, Caring for the Sick, Educating the next generation.

The members believe that they need to support qualified candidates with high moral ascendancy to champion good governance. They also want to choose leaders that will address corruption, poverty, illnesses (health problems), illiteracy and spiritual emptiness.

In the Senate, Oreta had filed almost 200 bills and resolutions related to education, youth, women, family relations, health, local governments, trade and commerce, foreign relations, agriculture, agrarian reform, justice, public works, human rights, cooperatives, labor, mass media, electoral reforms, government-service, environment, rural development, finance, public order and illegal drugs and many other concerns. (PR)