Measures that will enhance the benefits and privileges currently received by senior citizens (SC) is what this aspiring senator wants to push.
“There must be an increase in discounts on medicine, hospital and other medical services for our senior citizens. When they reach 70 years old, the discount should be 30%; at 80 it should be 40%; and at 90 and above, they should be entitled to 50% discount,” said prominent election lawyer and senior citizens’ advocate Romulo “Romy” Macalintal. He is running as an independent candidate as well as a “guest candidate” of Vice President Leni Robredo’s coalition party.
Macalintal, who is endorsed by several party-list groups, Senator Ralph Recto, and Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, added that the Centenarian law should be amended so that the elderly could enjoy this benefit earlier.
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“I propose that upon reaching 80 years old, the SC should be given P30,000; at 90 years old another P30,000 and at 100 years old, the balance of P40,000; and an additional P100,000 for every year beyond 100 years old,” said Macalintal. The law gives P100,000 to SCs who reach 100 years old.
“Ilan lang ba naman ang nakakarating ng100 years old? So, habang bata pa tayo, dapat mag-enjoy at maramdaman natin ang biyayang ito mula sa pamahalaan,” Macalintal added.
Macalintal has served the elderly and PWDs as early as 1966, assisting veterans and their dependents at the United States Veterans Administration (USVA) in Manila where he started as a messenger and rose from the ranks until he became Veterans Counselor, one of the highest positions ever occupied by a Filipino at the USVA.
He was the lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President Noynoy Aquino, former Vice President Noli De Castro, incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Vicente Sotto, Ralph Recto, and Manny Pacquiao, to name a few. Through all his dealings with top public officials, Romy was never involved in any controversy.
“I always maintain the highest degree of professionalism in my relationship with my clients and never asked for any payback,” shared Macalintal, who declined various positions offered to him such as Secretary of Justice, Solicitor General, Chairman of the Commission on Elections, and Chairman of the PNOC.
In his younger years, Macalintal sold watermelon at the Lipa City public market. His first job in the government was a casual mail-sorter and messenger at the Manila Post Office after finishing high school in 1964.
Macalintal looks forward to seeing a peaceful Philippines with Filipinos satisfied with the service rendered by qualified and competent public officials with utmost integrity.
