MANILA – Pares joint owner and viral Internet personality Deo “Diwata” Balbuena formalized his bid for a congressional seat as the fourth nominee of the Vendors Party-list.
Balbuena, together with the other nominees, filed the group’s certificate of nomination – certificate of acceptance of nomination (CON-CAN) before the Commission on Elections at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Wednesday.
Speaking for the group, he said the party-list wants to advance the rights and become the voice of small business owners, especially street vendors.
“Andito kami ngayon para maging boses sa lahat ng mga vendors para magtulong-tulong kami na maiangat ang vendors sa Pilipinas (We are here to uplift the life and become a voice for all the vendors across the Philippines),” he said.
The allocated seats for party-list groups in the next elections is 63, with the maximum number per group limited to only three.
Should he ever get seated as a congressman, Balbuena said he would introduce a law that would streamline the registration and processing of permits for vendors.
The party-list, he said, would also establish a cooperative that specially caters to small business owners like him.
Asked how he will divide his time should he end up with a seat, Balbuena said, “Siyempre magpo-focus tayo sa party-list pero hindi naman puwdeng pabayaan ko rin ‘yong tindahan (Of course, we will focus on the party-list but we cannot neglect the store).” (PNA)