BOOTS BATS FOR AUTOMATIC CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, THE DISABLED AND THE YOUTH April 21, 2004 Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino senatorial bet Boots Anson Roa batted for the appointment of congressional representatives from the disabled, senior citizens and youth sectors, saying that this proposal should be included in the plan to amend the Charter. Anson-Roa, one of the country's most respected actress, said sectoral representation should be restored in Congress but limited to the appointment of congressmen who will come from marginalized sectors most in need of legislation that would give them equal opportunities in the society. A former press attache to Washington, Anson-Roa revealed that there have been no congressional representative from the disabled, senior citizens and youth sectors ever since legislative representation was removed in favor of election of partylist representatives. "These three sectors do not have the resources to launch a nationwide campaign to get elected for partylist representation in Congress," she noted. The senatorial bet cited the case of Alyansa ng mga may Kapansanang Pinoy (AKAPIN) which had been participating in partylist elections but are incapable of conducting costly and tiresome national campaign. "They are not only financially broke to participate in a nationwide election. The disabled and the senior citizens are physically handicapped to conduct provincial sorties," said Anson-Roa, a recipient of the Gintong Ina and the Ten Outstanding Women in Nation's Service awards. She stressed that the problem can be corrected once the 1987 Constitution is overhauled. "We would be committing a more grievous injustice against our senior citizens, the disable and our youth if their cause is not addressed when the Charter is finally amended," Anson-Roa added even as she vowed not to allow her husband, Pete Roa, to be appointed in any position in Congress.