Filipino Americans step up in US election, weigh in on key issues

Metro Manila, Philippines– Filipino American voters have made their voices in the United States elections.

Some actively campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Melissa Ramoso, the Filipino Americans for Harris Walz national co-chairperson, said Filipinos were “energized” during the campaign season.

“It's about seeing a leader that can actually hold their values and has done the work to ensure that she represents our community and our values. And we don't see that on the other side and what we see is compassion what we see is hope and what we see is someone who will work for the middle class and here in Las Vegas and Nevada a lot of Filipino Americans are

in the middle class and she has proven that she will be a leader,” she said.

Ramoso said the election was crucial because she believed Harris will be the one to help fight hate against Asians and uphold democratic values.

“She has committed to making sure that she continues policies to fight against hate. And having just said my story of what Iawan, which is where my family's from and she promised to uphold the current policies in place that will give Filipinos their sovereignty in terms of the South China or Philippine Sea and President Trump has not done anything, he has no policies in place that would actually help us,” she added.

John Jose, a Trump supporter, said the former president could turn things around the Biden economic policies.

“Trump's former policies and during his administration, they've seen such a more prosperous and economic growth. And our countrymen are really gaining in terms of economical success. But now, within the Biden-Harris administration, you can see that our Filipino-Americans, that they're working more, saving less, and having to pick between important budgetary decisions in the family on what their priorities are going to be,” said Jose.

He said immigration is an important issue that needs to be resolved.

“When it comes to mass deportation, he's going to prioritize that from the most violent criminals all the way down and find ways to get rid of those violent criminals first. Now, the focus is also on legal immigration… We've got to put a seal on that border,” he added.

Over four million Filipino Americans are living and working in the United States.