Personal Information

• Age and date of birth: 61 (Aug. 24, 1963)
• Party: Liberal Party (Chairman)
• Highest Educational Attainment: Master’s in Public Administration, Harvard University
• Highest Government Position Held: Senator

Summary

Stance on Key Issues

On Poverty, Controlling Inflation, and Jobs

• Urges the government to revoke the permits of traders who are hoarding and smuggling rice to stabilize and lower prices, stressing that this will drive the cost of other goods down.
• Proposes a two-pronged approach to addressing wage concerns:
  • Increase the minimum wage to a “livable wage.”
  • Cut red tape and bribery in government’s business dealings to improve the country’s overall investment climate.

On Fighting Graft and Corruption

• Vows to expose smuggling in the importation of goods.
• Aims for good governance reforms in the agriculture sector, especially to stop corruption in public biddings for agricultural supplies and machinery.
• Lauds the ban on offshore gaming operators and urges the prosecution of public officials involved in the “den of criminal activities.”

On the West Philippine Sea

• Actively denounces China’s aggressive moves in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
• Supports the policy of asserting the country’s 2016 victory in the South China Sea arbitration and the filing of diplomatic protests against China.
• Calls for the defense of the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone in the WPS, a rich source of fish crucial for the country’s food security.

On The Drug War

• Calls the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war a crime and condemns its use of the national police as a “killing machine.”
• Emphasizes the program has failed to end the spread of illegal narcotics and the need to punish high-profile drug personalities.
• Says the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines while it was a state party to the Rome Statute, and that those responsible must be investigated and held accountable by the tribunal.

On Disaster Preparedness

• Urges the use of the Sagip Saka Law and direct sourcing from local farmers for palay and other agricultural products as relief goods during calamities to bolster disaster preparedness efforts.
• Pushes for climate resiliency programs that include emergency cash-for-work during times of disaster relief and rehabilitation.

Government Experience / Field of Expertise

• Chairman, PNP Foundation Inc. (2008 - present)
• Senator (2001 - 2013; 2016 - 2022)
  • Minority Leader, Commission on Appointments (2017 - 2020)
  • Majority Leader (2004 - 2008)
  • Served as chairperson of various committees such as:
    • Constitutional amendments and revision of codes
    • Agriculture and food
    • Social justice and rural development
    • Tourism, agrarian reform
    • Rules, education, arts, and culture
    • Justice and human rights
    • Urban planning, housing, and resettlement
    • Ethics and privileges
  • Authored and sponsored over 200 bills that became laws, including:
    • RA 11321 (Sagip Saka Act)
    • RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004)
    • RA 9293 (Amending the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act)
• Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (May 2014 - Sept. 2015)
• Councilor - Quezon City Fourth District (1988 - 1992)

Issues and Controversies

• Filed libel and cyber libel charges against YouTube channel Bungangera TV in 2024 for posting videos accusing him of adultery and sexual assault; also sued the authorized representatives of Google and YouTube Philippines for “aiding and abetting” a cybercrime.
• Filed another cyber libel suit, along with his wife Sharon Cuneta, against entertainment columnist Cristy Fermin in May 2024 for “libelous statements” made about the couple’s personal affairs.

Family Members in Government

• Relationship: Father-in-law
• Positions held:
  • Mayor - Pasay City (1988 - 1998; 1971 - 1986; 1951 - 1967)
  • Appointed Mayor - Rizal City (1950)