Good Governance and Corruption

Congressman Ompong Plaza led the Minority Bloc twice in Congress in pushing for the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. During the Plenary Hearings, he shouted “WHAT KIND OF CONGRESS IS THIS?” to admonish the seeming partial proceedings thereat. He also caused the removal of then DPWH Secretary Florante Soriquez due to charges of corruption.

His track record as a fearless crusader of good governance in Congress was put to test during the Congressional investigations on the Joc-Joc Bolante Fertilizer Fund Scam. Muntik na sya masuntok ng isang kapwa mambabatas sa plenaryo ng ipa-inhibit nya sa pagdinig ang lahat ng mambabatas na ang pangalan ay nasa listahan ng nakatanggap ng Fertilizer Fund.

He filed and caused the Congressional investigations on the anomalous computerization contracts entered into between the Land Transportation Office and the STRADCOM Corporation. He rallied to have that said contract rescinded being grossly disadvantageous to the public. He is also the author of a Resolution seeking congressional probe on the smuggling of oil operations in Subic.

Congressman Ompong Plaza’s advocacy to put forward the national interest above all else can be clearly gleaned from his colorful career as a three-time Representative of the Lone District of Agusan Del Sur. He earned the admiration of his colleagues, the respect of his constituents and the trust and friendship of the Filipino people to whom he has dedicated his life as a public servant.

Quality and Affordable Education

Quality, affordable and accessible education for all has been the pillar of Congressman Ompong Plaza’s legislative commitment to the Filipino youth. Most of the bills he filed during his nine years as Representative of Agusan Del Sur are aimed at upgrading the quality of instruction and ensuring that education institutions are properly funded and modernized.

He is considered as the “Father of the Philippine Normal University Law” or Republic No.9647 which elevated the status of the Philippine Normal University as the National Center for Teacher Education. This law afforded the PNU 250 million additional budget and 100 million every year thereafter aimed to uplift the quality of science and technology instruction in the country.

He is also the author of Republic Act No 9539 establishing a National High School in Bayugan, Agusan Del Sur and Republic Act No. 9537 establishing the Agusan Del Sur National Science High School. Seven other bills creating and establishing national high schools are now pending in the Senate awaiting approval.

One of the most important bills he authored reflective of his advocacy for education is House Bill No. 553 which seeks to establish a nationwide national scholarship program in science and technology in every municipality of the country. If approved, the many students will be accorded with sufficient educational support to finish science and technology courses in college. Another bill still pending in Congress is House Bill No. 3709 which seeks the establishment of the National Defense University. Congressman Ompong Plaza is a graduate of the National Defense College of the Philippines with a degree of Masters in National Security Administration. Elevating NDCP to an NDU will help the defense and security sector to train strategic leaders and managers to support national defense ad security goals.

Congressman Ompong Plaza believes that Filipino Consumers should get greater protection to make life more bearable for them especially during hard times. He is the principal author of House Bill No. 5942 which seeks to protect the 12 million households from unregulated and unsafe Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanks. For 7 years, he worked relentlessly to ensure that LPG users like him, who almost got burned down by defective LPG tanks, will be afforded protection and safety nets under the law. The said bill, which is currently in the Senate awaiting approval would now prohibit importation of defective LPG tanks, set standards for the distribution and use of LPG products and create a regulatory regime against unscrupulous trade practices involving LPG. There are currently more than three million (3 million) LPG tanks classified as scrap and unsafe still circulating in the market and another three million (3 million) subject to requalification. These LPG tanks, according to Congressman Ompong Plaza, may be considered as ticking time bombs inside our own homes, which if not recalled and confiscated by government, would reduce to ashes the lives, property and dreams of many of our people.

Other measures in the area of consumer protection that Congressman Ompong Plaza worked untiringly are the following: the Cheaper Medicines Act, the Magna Carta for Older Persons, the removal of Value Added Tax coverage of basic commodities.

One Mindanao

Congressman Ompong Plaza is a child of Mindanao. Just like any Mindanaoan, it was his lifelong dream to achieve peace, development and security in the area. He believes that if only Mindanao shall receive its equitable share in national budget, Mindanao shall be able to maximize its strong potential not only in agriculture but as a strategic economic corridor of the country.

The uniqueness of Mindanao’s position in the Philippine economy has to be advanced as the cornerstone of the National Government’s economic agenda. Emphasis should be given on the promotion of an aggressive program against terrorism, investment in necessary road and transportation systems, research, development and technology transfer on agriculture and education program to promote a cohesive and strong understanding on the dynamics of Mindanaoan culture.

Congressman Ompong Plaza believes that it is incumbent upon all Mindanaoans to encourage strong representation and have their voice heard in the greater national political arena by supporting candidates who genuinely show concern for the plight of Mindanao.

Protection and Advancement of the Rights of the Filipino Children

The protection of our children against physical and verbal abuse have been Congressman Ompong Plaza’s most active commitment and crusade in his nine years stint as a legislator. As Senior Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Special Committee on the Welfare of Children, he worked for the passage of landmark legislation aimed to protect and advance the rights of our children. He is the author of House Bill No. 547 which seeks to declare November 20 as the National Children’s Day and co-authored House Bill No. 683 which seeks to modify the definition of the crime of rape involving minor children, House Bill No. 6440 which defines Child Pornography as a crime and Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Children Act.
Physical and verbal abuse of our children, as defined by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, involve cases where physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. It also includes other non-physical forms of punishment that are cruel and degrading.

In the World Studies of Abuse in the Family Environment conducted by the World Health Organization showed that severe physical punishment is commonly used as means of discipline in the Philippines. Said study cites "21% of children are hit with an object in other parts of their body, 6% are kicked, 3% are beaten, while 1% is threatened with a knife or a gun, and another 1% is choked."

Congressman Ompong Plaza believes that “families that ill-treat their children or at least allow their children to be subjected to such cruel and degrading condition reflects the undesirable character of our society. We cannot advance as a strong nation with firm and cohesive social fabric if we do not care for the rights of our children. Unchecked, physical and verbal abuse of children will manifest in the perpetuation of violence in the family and in society”

Agriculture and Food Security

Being a farmer himself, Congressman Ompong Plaza has seen and experienced firsthand the deplorable condition of our agriculture sector. He believes that the government should put more investments in agriculture to answer the looming problem of food security due to unchecked population growth. He is currently working with Congressman Salvador Escudero III for the passage of House Bill No. 1431 that will revert to the national government the discharge of basic agricultural functions and responsibilities devolved to local government units particularly agricultural personnel and technicians.

Agriculture to the mind of Congressman Ompong Plaza is the backbone of resilient economy. Thus, the government has to put more premiums on horizontal and vertical infrastructure necessary to uplift the standards and quality of agricultural produce. He believes that proper infusion and transfer of technology to farmers is the key ingredient in empowering farmers. Access to credit and other support services to farmers should also be given emphasis as the same will elevate the capacity of farmers to produce more goods for the country, thus transform the country from a net food importer to exporter.