MANILA – Senatorial candidate and labor lawyer Luke Espiritu said they will focus on tapping voters who seek change in government and want alternatives to "traditional politicians" and political dynasties in his 2025 bid.
Espiritu is running for the Senate again alongside fellow labor leader Leody de Guzman under the Partido Lakas ng Masa.
The lawyer shared what he learned from his previous bid for the upper chamber when asked about his ranking in recent pre-election surveys.
"Ang na-realize ko na hindi ang challenge ang rule ng mga dynastiya. It's not the challenge. It is not true at all na ang ating pulitika ay naghahati lang sa kasamaan at kadiliman. Maraming puwersa sa atin ang sinusuka ang kadilimaan at kasamaan, sinusuka both si Marcos at si Duterte at yun ang aming market," he said.
In identifying their market, Espiritu said he will focus on gaining their trust to hopefully convince them to vote for him and de Guzman.
"We build forces, the forces for change. We address the forces of change. Ang mga kabataan for example, ang mga Gen Z na ayaw na sa luma, gusto na ng bago. Mga manggagawa na patuloy na lumalaban," he said.
"We address those forces, we strengthen those forces. And we do know that it's just a matter of time dahil bankrupt na sila and exposed na yung dynasties na yan. It's just a matter of time that these forces will also influence the entire Philippine society na oppressed hanggang ngayon," Espiritu added.
The labor lawyer said the candidates of the administration, reelectionists and other popular bets are still dominant because they have the funds and machinery.
"Alam natin na dominante pa rin sila ngayon. Pero ang suporta na na-gegenerate sa pera na minumudmod nila ay mababa, hindi galing sa prinsipyo," Espiritu explained.
"Kapag kumparahin niyo nalang ang binibitbit natin sa kanila, sila empty, bankrupt, walang sinasabi," he said.
Espiritu said they will work on building their voter base, which he said will be anchored on beliefs and principles.
"Ang suporta na nakukuha ni Luke Espiritu at Leody de Guzman, pag sinuportahan yan, kasama diyan ang paniniwala at pag-aadhere na prinsipyo, mas malakas na klaseng suporta yan," he said.
"Kapag palawakin namin yan, we just talk to that market, sa tingin niyo sino magiging malakas? Tanggalin natin ang advantage ng pera, tanggalin natin ang advantage ng makinarya, all things being equal," Espiritu added.
The labor lawyer reiterated they will focus on issues instead of dances, jingles and other gimmicks.
Espiritu also ran for senator in the 2022 elections but failed to secure a seat.
Source: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/16/luke-espiritu-to-focus-on-voters-who-seek-change-in-senate-bid-2051