Mitra scion feels he is cut out for politics

CEBU, Philippines - Nacionalista Party senatorial bet Ramon “Monmon” Mitra, in a bid to show his determination to run for public office, wants his political campaign to be transparent.

In a press conference held at Tatoy’s Resto-Bar, this city, Mitra announced that other than his intentions for “change” in the political structure, his candidacy will be more on reaching out to people even to the “narrowest” of barangays.

He said that the “younger generation” does not know Mitra and hopes to address them by following the legacy of his father, the late Ramon “Monching” Mitra, Jr. who became a senator in 1971 and Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1987.

“No matter how I try to avoid it (politics), it seems like destiny has followed me,” he said.

He also said that his 21 years experience in the military, private business and family-owned corporations will “qualify” him to serve given the electorate mandates him to have a seat in the Senate.

Mitra also brushed off the idea that other senatorial aspirants have been in the political arena for a considerable amount of time and the mileage they get will be “translated into votes”.

“Iba diyan, hindi nakatikim nang namatayan ng kasama sa giyera… hindi nakatikim ng bala. My experience as a marine officer ay malaking tulong,” he said.

Mitra has been in the military service who served as platoon commander and captain in the Philippine Marine Corps and his geographical assignment included combat battles in Mindanao and Luzon.

Mitra, who is also the director of the Philippine National Oil Company and PNOC Exploration Company which is engaged in oil and gas explorations and coal trading, said that cleaner and cheaper energy as alternative fuels will completely eradicate, if not lessen the importation of fuels.

“I believe that our dependence on fuel and coal (is the reason) kaya mahal ang kuryente dito,” he said referring to the high cost of power here in Cebu.

Moreover, Mitra will also focus on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (Republic Act 8435) once he gets into Senate.

He said that rationalization of the existing institutional mechanisms should be implemented to strengthen private-public partnership and make such more efficient in expanding agri-food exports, facilitating modernization and growth of the sector.

Likewise, he would ask the government to allocate substantial resources to rehabilitate affected places and crops in areas devastated by tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng as well as come up with measures to augment farmers’ incomes including the provision of agricultural production.

As part of his “transparent political campaign”, Mitra told reporters that the name “Mitra” in Philippine politics should not be construed as establishing a “political dynasty”.

“The Filipino should not be deprived of people who want to serve. Kesyo may pangalan, hindi na puwedeng tumakbo? Unfair ‘yan sa taumbayan,” he said.

The Mitra siblings are not new in politics. One of his brothers, Bernardo, has been working for government in various capacities since 1989.

Another brother, Abraham, is currently on his third term as congressman of the second district of Palawan and is seeking the gubernatorial post in the said province.

Joining Ramon “Monmon” Mitra in the NP senatorial ticket are Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Pia Cayetano and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.; Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Col. (ret.) Ariel Querubin, Adel Tamano; Susan “Toots” Ople, and Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana. — Marjun A. Baguio, UC intern/MEEV  (FREEMAN NEWS)