Statement of Sen. Pia S. Cayetano

On senior citizens rally today in Mendiola

"Nanawagan ako sa Malacanang para hayaang makapagdaos ng maayos at matiwasay na pagtitipon ang mga senior citizens groups na napaulat na magpo-protesta sa Mendiola ngayong umaga at sa mga susunod pang araw. Gayundin, batid ko na malapit sa puso ng ating alkade ng Maynila, si Mayor Fred Lim, ang isyu ng ating senior citizens kaya umaasa ako sa kanya at sa ating kapulisan na huwag na sanang maghigpit sa 'no permit, no rally policy' para sa kanila dahil wala namang balak o kakayahang manggulo ang ating mga lolo't lola. Ang nais lamang nila ay makapaghayag ng kanilang damdamin ukol sa pagpapasa ng Expanded Senior Citizens Bill. Kung maaari din ay makapaghanda sila ng medical team na maaaring umalalay sa mga rallyista, lalo't magmamartsa sila sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw. Kaisa ko ang ating senior citizens sa paghiling na sana'y maisabatas na ang panukalang ito sa lalong madaling panahon."

"I call on Malacanang to please make sure that our senior citizens would be able to hold a peaceful and orderly assembly in Mediola today and in the coming days to call for the swift passage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Bill. I know that the issue of senior citizens is close to the heart of Manila Mayor Fred Lim, and so I urge him and our police to waive the 'no permit no rally policy' for them. I don't think our elderly have no intention, nor are they capable, of causing any trouble. I hope a medical team can be also deployed to the area to look after the health of the rallyists who would be marching and standing under the scorching sun. Their only wish is to have the Expanded Senior Citizens Bill passed at the soonest possible time."

Note: Senator Pia S. Cayetano is the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development and principal sponsor of the Expanded Senior Citizens Bill which seeks to exempt the elderly from the 12 percent value added tax (VAT).