David to push for RH law repeal, land use act

MANILA, Philippines - Ang Kapatiran senatorial bet Rizalito David is not the type who can be silenced by the separation of Church and State mantra.

The 51-year old socio-political analyst is proud of his Christian faith, which he said prods him to seek to improve lives.

“I have been gifted with the faculties to serve as an instrument, as many of us are, to fight and ultimately bring forth a society where God’s contemplations are realized and enjoyed by everyone and not just a few,” David said in a statement.

“That millions and millions of our brethren would live in unjust and iniquitous arrangements was only possible because of the very few who sought to make it so for their benefit and self-aggrandizement,” he added.

If elected to the Senate, David said repealing the Reproductive Health (RH) Law will be one of his priorities.

He believes that the billions allotted for contraceptives and other family planning methods can be used for more meaningful projects and programs.

“Assuming that the Supreme Court will not be able to rule on the constitutionality of the RH Law, that would be the first in our agenda – to file (a bill that will) repeal the law because we don’t find it necessary,” he said in a recent interview. 

The Kapatiran candidate also vows to push for a National Land Use Act to prevent wastage of resources, saying that “until such time that we are able to determine the uses of our land and our waters, we will never be able to craft a good economic policy” since economic policies are “resource based.”

David is also for a long-term industrialization program, saying this would create more jobs and address brain drain in the country.

“We cannot survive merely by attending to the needs of corporations abroad by having their call centers here. That’s not sustainable. The only sustainable thing for us is embark on long-term industrialization program and tailor fit our economic policies towards that goal,” David pointed out.

He also supports the freedom of information bill, anti-dynasty bill, and gun control measures.

But he opposes the use of pork barrel funds, which has been viewed as a source of corruption.

David ran for the Senate in 2010 under Ang Kapatiran but lost.

Before aspiring to become a senator, he worked as staff member of three lawmakers. David was head executive assistant and political affairs director of Sen. Robert Jaworski from 1998 to 2004 and consultant on political affairs of Deputy Speaker Hernando Perez from 1997 to 1998. He also served as political affairs staff and supervising legislative staff officer of Sen. Francisco Tatad from 1993 to 1996. 

David taught at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and Enderun Colleges. He has a master’s degree in Environmental Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, both from UPLB. He was also a commentator of the Catholic-Church-run Radio Veritas.