Marawi civic leader and aspiring Senator Samira Gutoc took another shot in the 2022 Senatorial position as she officially filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Sunday, October 3, 2021, under Aksyon Demokratiko Party.

In an interview with The Source, Gutoc explained the reason behind her decision for choosing Aksyon Demokratiko despite having attachments with her former slate ‘Otso Diretso.’

“Sila po [Aksyon Demokratiko] yung nag-reach out to me, in a time of really really lowest. Although syempre deepest partnership, collaboration, and respect sa amin sa network, Liberal Party, The Youth networks, 1Sambayan, I was you know I was organizing on the ground. But Aksyon Demokratiko was concretely saying na you have to have decision-making powers, you’re part of a board, and if you want to join us, you sign up and take an oat,” Gutoc explained.

Gutoc reiterated that she asked for Vice President Leni Robreno’s approval as well as Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who served as Otso Diretso’s campaign manager during the last 2019 Senatorial race.

With the same campaign promise, Gutoc is firm in fighting for the oppressed and people from the grassroots level. She is also after fair treatment and eradicates discrimination against any gender.
“Work harder, reach harder, walk farther, reach other non-supportive groups,” said Gutoc when asked the lessons she will bring from her last election.

Despite failing to win the Senatorial seat last 2019, Gutoc said she will still pursue reaching minorities and protecting their rights. “Hurt and pain are collective for all. Siguro naramdaman ko ‘yon bilang product of the biggest tragedy, yung history natin sa Marawi siege, so, reach more, grassroots more, as many as we can reach.” she said.

Gutoc promised that regardless of being part of Aksyon Demokratiko, she will always be the fighter that the public knew in the past.

See the full interview here:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj6spMO3ybZPobE0T5perHA