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FOLLOWING THE FATHER'S FOOTSTEPSThe eldest daughter of outgoing Senator Aquilino Nene Pimentel Jr., lawyer Gwen Pimentel is running for senator, to continue that brand of dedicated public service that her father has selflessly devoted throughout his professional life.
Unknown perhaps to many, Gwen Pimentel has played a low key, but important role during Senator Pimentel’s two terms in the senate, as his chief-of-staff for the last twelve years. Gwen Pimentel thus seeks this national post, armed with more than a decade of legislative experience as the one running the day-to-day affairs of Senator Pimentel’s office. Gwen Pimentel is a lawyer by training, a product of the University of the Philippines College of Law. Just like her father, Gwen Pimentel is a career public servant, having spent her professional life in government service. Prior to his father’s election in 1998 for the second time in the senate, Gwen had actively defended government cases for a decade in the solicitor general’s office, during the time of the late President Cory Aquino and former President Fidel Ramos. Gwen Pimentel also obtained a degree of Master’s in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines Thus, Gwen’s more than twenty years of government legal practice and senate experience has prepared her for this greater opportunity at public service.
Strengthening local autonomy Gwen Pimentel proudly recognizes her father’s huge contribution in setting up the infrastructure of local autonomy among the local government units. The local government code authored by Sen. Pimentel in 1991, served as the mechanism that laid the groundwork for empowering local governments. Yet, Gwen also says that twenty years since the passage of the local government code, major changes need to be placed in the law. As a matter of fact, over one hundred seventy (170) proposed amendments have been introduced, which have been painstakingly crafted by the senator’s office under Gwen’s direct supervision. The key amendments would be to empower the barangays, strengthening the barangay justice system to promote alternative ways of dispute resolution, and ensuring the automatic release of the internal revenue allotments to the local governments. Unfortunately, with not much time left for the present congress, and the exit of Senator Pimentel from the Senate, the amendments may not see their enactment. Gwen Pimentel said these 170 proposed amendments need to be enacted, and she vows to continue the battle to empower the local government units if given a chance to serve in the senate.
Establishing a federal system Gwen Pimentel will continue to fight for the establishment of a federal system in the country. Senator Pimentel, Gwen’s father has laid the blueprint for federalization, but this has not been realized. Gwen, like her father, believes that federalism is the key to countryside development. As one who grew up in Cagayan de Oro City, Gwen Pimentel has seen the disparity in the distribution of economic wealth and resources, much of which has always been concentrated in Manila and highly urbanized cities. Gwen will be able to articulate from experience the need to channel the nation’s wealth to the poorer regions of the country
Clean and honest elections Gwen hopes to continue the fight against election cheating, which has victimized her father in the not-too-distant past, and her brother Koko Pimentel recently. The elections in 2010 will be the first time nationwide automation of the elections would be implemented. Gwen believes that automating the polls will not necessarily ensure honest, clean and peaceful election results. There is still a need to revise the laws so that future elections would be credible, and would reflect the true will of the electorate.
Gwen hopes to continue the advocacy of Senator Pimentel to have clean and honest elections.
Gwen Pimentel’s personal advocacies lie in the promotion of children’s rights and welfare. She has served as board member of the Inter country Adoption Board (ICAB) from 2001-2007. She also served as member of the Inter-country Adoption Placement Committee. Gwen Pimentel is the current President of the Association of Child Caring Agencies of the Philippines, an association of orphanages that shelters abandoned children in the country. Being a mother of two, Gwen Pimentel has given importance to the promotion of children’s health, education and safety and well being as key to nation building. She will ensure the protection of children against child trafficking, child labor & child prostitution. Gwen Pimentel believes that abandoned, neglected and dependent children should not be left uncared for and should instead be part of a loving & caring family to give them a chance at having a better future. She will introduce legislation on alternative child care.
Honest, dedicated, public service Most important, after spending a lifetime in government, Gwen father Senator Nene Pimentel leaves a legacy of honest, selfless, dedicated public service. The country witnessed the Pimentel brand of steadfast and firm devotion to public service. Gwen Pimentel hopes to follow the father’s footsteps and, with God’s grace and the peoples’ help, continue this legacy of selfless service and leadership Top Write a Comment |