INDESTRUCTIBLE.
This is how Congressmen Joel Chua and Rolan ‘CRV’ Valeriano of Manila’s third district and second district, respectively, can be best described, given the high level of toxicity they were subjected to during the recently concluded national and local elections.
Of course, we now know that Rep. Chua won his second term, beating former Councilor Apple Nieto, the sister of Vice Mayor Yul Servo.
Valeriano, meanwhile, once again triumphed over former Congressman Carlo Lopez, whom he also bested in a previous race. In 2019, Valeriano defeated Lopez’s brother.
Both lawmakers faced relentless attacks from Isko Moreno way before the filing of COCs (certificates of candidacy) and later, from Vice President Sara Duterte, both on social media and mainstream.
The attacks though, centered on nothing but ‘personal’ issues, even body shaming rather than on focusing on legislative performance or district governance. The lack of any negative issues regarding work only goes to show that Chua and Valeriano are truly efficient in their work.
The absence of credible work-related criticism was seen by supporters as proof of the two lawmakers’ effectiveness. Rather than retaliate, both candidates chose to stay focused on their campaigns, refusing to match the tone of their detractors.
Even when they were proclaimed as winners by the Manila Board of Canvassers, they received a lot of heckling from rude supporters from their rival camps but as Statesmen, they responded with composure and grace.
At the end of the day, it’s obvious that how they took good care of their constituents was what mattered to the residents of the second and third districts of Manila.
Rep. Valeriano goes on fulfilling his functions as a member of at least nine high-profile committees in Congress. Congressman Chua, for his part, will continue serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. He will also be serving as one of the House prosecutors for the impeachment trial of VP Sara.
Congratulations to both of them for their well-deserved fresh mandates.
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