Ten senatorial aspirants coming from Grace Poe's party visited Iloilo Science and Technology University last Feb. 16. The university was one of the itineraries included in the senatorial slate of Poe-Escudero tandem in Western Visayas.
Students, faculty and staff flocked the ISAT U entrance gate to welcome and have a chance to get a close up look of the senatorial candidates.
The senatorial aspirants who visited the university were Edu Manzano, Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III , Former Sen, Richard "Dick" Gordon, Pasig Representative Roman Romulo ,Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, Atty. Lorna Kapunan and Audrey Tan, who spoke in behalf of his husband, former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Upon arrival, the senatorial aspirants made a brief courtesy call at the President’s Office before the Q and A session with the students and some faculty members at ISAT U Ed Tech Center.
Dr. Raul F. Muyong, University President, welcomed the senatorial candidates to the university.
During the Q and A session, Sen. Tito Sotto congratulated ISAT U for being a full blown university. He also mentioned his plans of upgrading Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) and the implementation of the 14th month pay.
Additional budget on state colleges and universities were part of Neri Colmenares’ proposed project. Free education and tuition fees on elementary, secondary and tertiary level were also presented in his proposed plan. This project will be one of his goals when elected in the senate.
"Education is our way out of poverty.” Atty. Lorna Kapunan said during the session. As part of the senatorial slate, Atty. Kapunan jokingly said that she must make a shirt signifying that she is running for a senator as well. The joke was intended for Edu Manzano, who is usually flocked by students from several SUCs for selfies and pictures.
After the presentation of the aspirants' programs and projects to the audience, the brief open forum followed.
Due to other commitments in Iloilo City, Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero failed to join the members of their senatorial slate during the ISAT U visit.
Ms. Losette A. Dela, President, Student Republic, sealed the event with a closing remarks.
