ONCE labeled a nuisance candidate in the 2019 Senate race, Thomasian lawyer and educator Angelo de Alban is mounting a resolute comeback — a second chance to prove his two lifelong obligations: to serve the country and to inspire future leaders.
Now with renewed resolve, De Alban is making another run for the Senate, anchored in what he sees as a moral obligation.
“The obligation to service should be based on one’s capability and competency,” he told the Varsitarian. “Dahil ako ay may kaalaman at kakayahan sa batas, I deemed it necessary for me to serve the country.”
“Hindi ako traditional politician at hindi rin ako galing sa political dynasty. So, I can inspire future leaders to serve the country,” he added.
De Alban completed his journalism, law, and Master of Laws degrees at UST. He runs his own law office while teaching at the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the Faculty of Engineering. He is a former Varsitarian special reports coordinator.
The Thomasian lawyer was declared a nuisance candidate by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during the 2019 midterm polls, citing his incapacity to “sustain the financial rigors of waging a nationwide campaign” and lack of bona fide intent to run for public office.
Although the issue became moot, the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned that decision, affirming that financial resources are not a prerequisite for candidacy nor a measure of genuine intent.
Running again as an independent, De Alban is funding his campaign with personal earnings and contributions from a few sponsors, and is optimistic about reaching a broad audience.
“I’m not saying I can get all of them (votes),” he said. “But I’m banking on the fact that with social media, with proper intelligent voters’ awareness, I can communicate with them. That’s why I’m utilizing everything within my means.”
De Alban detailed three key legislative priorities if elected.
Improving the justice system
With extensive courtroom experience, De Alban emphasized that strengthening the judiciary is vital to restoring trust in public institutions.
“I am a litigation lawyer, I know the hardships of facing a case in court,” he said. “So, ang No. 1 sa akin diyan to fight corruption and to instill discipline and safety and security, gusto kong taasan ang pondo ng husgado to create more courts and to hire more judges.”
He pointed out that an excessive caseload continues to clog the courts, paralyzing justice delivery, and lamented that the judiciary receives only 1% of the national budget.
“The judiciary serves as a very effective check and balance against corruption across the board in the government,” he said.
“Across the board, dapat mayroon tayong enough number of courts to cater to the needs of the people. Sa sobrang tagal ng kaso, mawawalan ka ng confidence sa demokrasya sa Pilipinas. So that is one of the solutions to ensure democracy in this country.”
Crafting laws for children with special needs, persons with disabilities
De Alban draws inspiration from his personal experience caring for his nephew, who has cerebral palsy and autism and whose therapy he helps fund.
He noted that governments in other countries provide incentives for parents to care for their children — unlike in the Philippines, where more than 1.4 million children have disabilities.
“It is very close to my heart,” he said. “Mahirap na nga ang buhay nila, huwag mo pang pahirapan pa… Kailangang maging aware tayo sa mga pangangailangan ng tao.”
De Alban co-founded and serves as president of St. Philomena School in Marilao, Bulacan, which caters to children with special needs.
Among his legislative plans are free developmental assessments, livelihood programs, and weekly therapy sessions for children with disabilities. He emphasized that these projects also benefit parents.
“Hindi nagmamakaawa itong mga magulang na ito,” he said. “They simply want the opportunity to take care of their children. And at the same time, earn their living.”
“So, parang sinesuwelduhan sila ng gobyerno for taking care of their children. Bakit sa atin wala ‘yon? ‘Yon ‘yong nakikita natin na problematic.”
De Alban also supports harsher penalties for those who discriminate against persons with disabilities.
“Even the government is the number one violator of accessibility laws,” he said. “We need higher penal provisions and more courts to make the justice system work for them.”
According to him, fines are not enough.
“Dapat incarceration, para alam nila na bawal. Kasi kapag kahahayaan mo sila na magbayad lang ng P10,000, nawawala ‘yong essence ng justice system kung kayang-kayang mong bayaran ‘yong isang krimen.”
Amending the Family Code
De Alban has been vocal about his advocacy to amend the Family Code of the Philippines to better reflect modern society.
Proposed changes include raising the minimum marriage age from 18 to 24 or 25, requiring psychological testing, sex education, and financial literacy for soon-to-be-married couples, disallowing marriage for couples pregnant out of wedlock, and adopting the“right to care.”
These, he said, could help prevent forced marriages, especially in cases involving rape.
“Why not let it be until the mother can actually, intellectually, efficiently, decide for her own and for the sake of the child?” De Alban said.
Drawing on his experiences with clients, De Alban also believes barangays can be more effective in family matters and anti-violence efforts.
“(For example), the moment na nabuntis ka, mag-declare ka sa barangay. The next day may suporta ka na. Kayang-kaya pondohan ng barangay.”
He also supports the nationwide implementation of Quezon City’s “Right to Care” ordinance, which allows same-sex partners to make legal and medical decisions for each other.
While De Alban is not in favor of same-sex marriage or civil unions, he advocates for “all-gender protection.”
“We should amend the Family Code to include property regimes of partners that are in the LGBT community,” he said.
“For the record, I am not in favor of same-sex marriage or same-sex union. But that doesn’t mean that we cannot protect them. We can extend to them coverage of the law consistent with their human dignity.”
De Alban said his legislative priorities are informed by years of community work, which serve as the “backbone of how I make laws.”
“I am connected sa grassroots level,” he said. “Ang mga estudyante ko, they come from all sectors. Some, if not most, of my experiences or my outlook in life would come from my clients and my students. Coming from the grassroots, alam ko na those are actual problems.”
Though considered an underdog among the 66 senatorial candidates, De Alban believes his genuine desire to serve sets him apart.
“Kine-question nila ‘yong kakayahan natin na magikot-ikot sa buong Pilipinas. They are trying to attack me kasi wala daw akong prior experience sa public service.”
“Hindi mo kailangan ng prior position to serve the country. Puwede, as long as you are competent, capable, and you have integrity. Ang public position is not a position of promotion; it is a position of responsibility.”
