Manny Villar's Platform: A No-nonsense Social Pact
by Patricio Mangubat
Satur Ocampo, former Nationalist Democratic Front (NDF) head and Lisa Masa, the recognized women’s rights activist, are running under the Nacionalista Party as guest senatorial candidates.
In an interview, Satur said that the reason why they aligned themselves with the Nacionalista, a traditional political party headed by no less than billionaire Manny Villar were for two reasons: first, other parties are not interested in adopting the Makabayan platform of government and only Villar says the party is ready to accept these points as part of the Nacionalista platform.
I secured for myself, a copy of the Nacionalista Party platform and read it. I also have a copy of the platform of the Liberal Party, the main political rival of the Nacionalista in the forthcoming elections. Armed with these two documents, I am trying to put them into a matrix, comparing their points and seeing if these are responsive to the current social needs.
Based on data culled from the National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB), the Bangko Sentral’s Consumer Confidence Index and the current AC Nielsen reports, Filipinos’ top five (5) concerns are:
1. Stability of the local economy
2. Job security
3. Increases in bills (electricity, power, water)
4. Increases in gasoline prices
5. Good governance issues (re: graft and corruption)
The Nacionalista Party platform focuses on two main points: the issue of poverty and social injustice. Reading the document, the platform provides concrete solutions to the issue of poverty—develop the rural sector and enhance or strengthen local industries.
Their anti-poverty program is the most concrete and the most responsive since it addresses the root causes, and presents not just cosmetic solutions.
For one, the Nacionalista Party wants to create a self-reliant and independent local economy. In order to do just that, the Nacionalista Party intends to improve the conditions in the countrysides by implementing agrarian reform, increase rural productivity and develop and strengthen local industries.
The Nacionalista Party believes in the concept of land-to-the tiller, the main essence of true agrarian reform. The Party also seeks to provide CARP beneficiaries of funds support thru rural finance and also provide technical supports. It seeks to compensate small and medium-sized land owners who were previously not given any by the government.
For the Nacionalista party, development of both the rural and the urban sectors of the economy should go hand-in-hand and results to job generation. While developing the economy, the Nacionalista Party hopes to involve the stakeholders in preserving the national patrimony, by introducing the National Land Use policy and infusing ecologically-sound practices on farm production. Fisherfolks will be involved in conserving marine resources.
Micro-financing, strengthening rural finance infrastructures, safety nets against the onerous effects of trade liberalization, promotion of subsidies and SMEs loans are just some of the support mechanisms propounded by the Nacionalista party. This shows a very close involvement of government in supporting both the rural and urban economies. However, it is curious to know though how the Nacionalista Party would address the budget deficit problem that may arise in the implementation of these programs.
In addressing social injustice, the Nacionalista Party encourages the involvement of all sectors. The platform recognizes the strengthening of human rights, promote involvement of stakeholders in preserving people’s and individual rights and likewise highlight the role of the Youth, women and labor sectors. Social injustice is viewed on two levels: domestic and foreign. In the domestic front, the Nacionalista wants to review onerous contracts entered into by government, prosecute officials who committed graft and corruption, liberalize the social sphere by respect of human rights and shield the people from grave injustices. Transparency in government transactions and the promotion of integrity are some of the solutions being offered by the party.
In the foreign affairs sphere, a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement and some trade pacts entered by the previous dispensation is offered. The Nacionalista Party says that these onerous trade agreements and foreign cooperative ventures should be scrutinized and reviewed.
For me, the Nacionalista Party platform is responsive. It gives no motherhood statements, no broad strokes solutions and no bull-shit phrases and promises. It is not a slogan merely to satiate the reformist tastes nor a program which offers the same old and tired strands of pseudo-nationalist propaganda. It is well-thought out and direct to the point.
Nacionalista Party’s presidential standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar has reclaimed his previous number one spot in voters’ choice for president after garnering a 46 percent rating against the 45 percent of Liberal Party’s Sen. Benigno Aquino III in the latest Pulse Asia poll.
Villar will overtake Aquino by one percentage point under a two-cornered fight based on the survey conducted by Pulse Asia January 22 to 26, 2010 among 1,800 respondents.
The respondents were asked: “Ngayon ay mayroon akong ipapakita sa inyo na ibat-ibang listahan, kung ang mga sumusunod ang siyang mga maging kandidato sa pagka-presidente ng Pilipinas, sino ang inyong iboboto kung ang pambansang eleksiyon ng 2010 ay gaganapin ngayon? (Now I'm going to show you different names, if the following candidates for president of the Philippines, whom are you going to vote for if the elections are held today?)”
The “one-on-one” scenario was contained in the similar Pulse Asia survey showing the gap between Villar and Aquino closing in with the NP standard-bearer receiving 35 percent against Aquino’s 37 percent or a margin of two percentage points.
But with only Aquino and Villar pitted against each other, Villar would actually overtake Aquino to become the new proverbial “man to beat.”
The same “one-on-one” survey has a plus or minus two percent margin of error.
It was a tremendous climb for Villar, who was rating only 32 percent as against Aquino’s 62 percent during a Pulse Asia survey conducted October 22 to 30, 2009, also under the “one-on-one” scenario.
This shows Villar gained 14 percentage points from October last year to January this year while Aquino slid by big 17 percentage points covering the same period.
Villar took Mindanao with 50 percent compared to Aquino’s 44 percent while solidifying his lead in the class E voters with 50 percent against Aquino’s 41 percent.
In other regions, Villar likewise overtook Aquino in Visayas with 47 percent against the latter's 46 percent and both running neck and neck in Luzon with 44 percent and 45 percent, respectively.
The National Capital Region (NCR) was no longer a Noynoy territory as Villar closes in with a strong 41 percent comeback (from previous 24 percent last October) versus Aquino’s fragile 48 percent (down from 69 percent in October).
The ABC economic class, which is mostly pro-Noynoy, remains an Aquino bailiwick with 52 percent (67 percent) against Villar’s 37 percent (22 percent).
Well, if your surname starts with the letter A, you may have a better chance at winning in the May 10 automated elections.
Apparently, this is what Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III thinks after he asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday to reconsider its ruling reinstating Vetallano Acosta in the roster of accredited presidential candidates.
Since the candidates’ names will be listed alphabetically on the ballots, Acosta's name will be on top of the list.
Aquino's name would have been first on the list, but last month, the Comelec reconsidered its ruling on Acosta and reinstated him as an official candidate. Acosta is supposedly the official candidate of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).
With poll automation, voters just have to shade ovals beside the names of their preferences, so an alphabetical arrangement may give candidates whose surnames start with the letter A an edge. In manual polls, the voters had to write down their choices.
Reconsider reinstatement
Last Jan. 15, Aquino's lawyer, Sixto Brillantes, filed a motion for reconsideration to strike out Acosta’s name. The hearing was set on Jan. 29.
In that hearing, Brillantes questioned Acosta’s credentials on the ground that his certificate of candidacy lacked the certification by the KBL that he was the party’s standard-bearer.
A certification from the KBL was later submitted, but it was done way past the deadline imposed by the Comelec. It also did not have Acosta’s acceptance, Brillantes said.
Acosta initially listed himself as an independent candidate. He described himself as a financial consultant. This is his first foray in politics.
'Clearly a nuisance bet'
With the Comelec set to start the printing of the ballots with Acosta’s name on it, Brillantes fears that his motion to delete Acosta from the list with will be rendered moot “to the extreme benefit of Acosta and to the prejudice” of his client Aquino.
Thus, he wants Comelec to resolve the issue before the ballot printing starts. [As of posting time, the printing had already started.]
In a separate interview, Brillantes said Acosta is “clearly a nuisance candidate” out to ruin Aquino’s bid.
Stressing that the main issue is Acosta’s lack of qualification to seriously bid for the presidency, Brillantes said Aquino’s interest has been prejudiced because his advantage of being first on the list has been taken out.
There is also the possibility that voters might mistakenly shade the oval portion for Acosta instead of Aquino's, thus costing his client some crucial votes.
In a close fight, which is what the presidential race is slowly shaping up, every vote counts. Aquino, the Liberal Party standard-bearer, is statistically tied for first place with the Nacionalista Party presidential bet Sen. Manny Villar.
The Cayetano precedent
Consider the case of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who also had to fight Comelec over the inclusion of one Joselito Cayetano in the 2007 mid-term race.
Like Acosta, Joselito Cayetano was also supposedly endorsed by the KBL.
In the official count, Senator Cayetano got 11.787 million while Joselito Cayetano got 510,366 votes. Senator Cayetano was number 9 in the senatorial race.
If the voters were merely confused and votes for Joselito Cayetano should have been credited to Senator Cayetano, the latter Cayetano would have placed 8th in the race, overtaking Senator Joker Arroyo who got 11.803 million votes.
A poll commissioner told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newbreak that Acosta is still considered a legitimate candidate while his case is pending. “That’s why his name had to be included in the printing of ballots.”
In the case of Joselito Cayetano, the Comelec declared him a nuisance candidate 4 days before the May 14, 2007 mid-term case. Still, votes cast under his name were counted, after he filed a motion for reconsideration.
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:30:00 02/08/2010
MANILA, Philippines – It's all systems go for the frontrunners in the upcoming presidential race – Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Manny Villar – as they launch their respective campaigns this Tuesday.
Aquino will hold his first political rally in his hometown in Tarlac while Villar will launch his presidential bid in Calamba Laguna, the birthplace and hometown of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Aquino will start the day with a mass to be held at the Immaculate Concepcion Church Concepcion, Tarlac from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
After the mass, the group will proceed to Concepcion Public Market in Tarlac for a rally.
At 11:35 a.m., the group will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino Statue in front Concepcion Municipal Hall, followed by a meeting with barangay (village) officials in Concepcion.
From Concepcion, Aquino's team will hold a motorcade to Capas before another rally to be held at Capas Public Market.
After the rally, the group will motorcade to Tarlac City.
Aquino's family is expected at a mass Tarlac City Plaza from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, before the unveiling and "blessing of the Cory Monument.
The team's last stop will be another rally at the Tarlac City Plaza from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Villar's Nacionalista Party, meanwhile, said they opted to launch its “good fight” in Rizal’s birthplace “because the cradle of heroes is always the best springboard of change.”
“We would like to unveil our vision for the nation in the birthplace of the man who told us and showed us how to love it,” the NP secretariat said in a statement.
The NP chose Laguna “not because it is our bailiwick but because we believe that our vow to serve the people will assume a sacred dimension if made in the place symbolized by our national hero," it said.
“We deem it best to make our commitment before our hero. Other will read their platforms from teleprompters. We’d rather recite ours from the heart in front of the statue of Rizal,” it further said.
Erap: Immorality?...well,It depends...on what you are doing. Maraming definitions yan.I cannot define 1...baka sya may definition, bigyan naman nya ako ng konti para matuto naman ako!
If we would only vote wisely, it would be better to have a president like Gordon. We can actually choose from three bests but we should lay some questions to ourselves.
For noy noy aquino, what has he done in the past? as a congressman and as a senator? is he one of those bench warmers in the congress before? truthfully he cannot live by the shadows of his parents. Of course both his parents have sacrificed a lot for the country but he is a different human being only good at speaking. I think he should gain more experience first for him not to be toyed in malacanan.
For Gibo Teodoro, He is a smart man, very intelligent, but can he stand on his own without paying "utang na loob" to GMA? If he will become the president and if GMA wins in the congress and becomes speaker of the house, think what will happen to the Philippines. Please do not vote for Gibo, it is like voting GMA for another term. Remember the banners of GMA scholarship program?, how much personal money did she gave to that project? and how many millions of peso went to her pocket for that.
How about Villar, although he is not one of the best choices let me lay down this fact about him, Yes he was once a poor young man but that was long ago that's why we used the past tense was. Remember the pyramid scams? Since becoming rich did he actually stand for the poor? Did he perform his duty well without thinking of gaining something from doing it? And do you know the C-5 extension project? Manny is too rich he thinks he can buy everything including Malacanan.
RICHARD GORDON from Zambales, just think of the following, Mt. pinatubo eruption. Did they rose up from that tragedy? YES. Red cross, did he perform his duty well? YES even nearly sabotage, luckily the helicopter crashed without him on board and nobody knows about it. And that is Gordon, working without letting anybody knows it. He works with his heart for the benefit of our beloved country Philippines.
And the others, i just don't think they have the capacity to become the president of the Philippines at this point in time.
Gordon is a good executive officer. In my opinion, he fits to become our president. Sadly, hindi nakikita ng maraming tao ang kanyang kakayahan. Ang mga pinoy kasi kung sino ang pupolar regardless of maging sino man sya o ano man sya, yun ang iboboto. Kailan kaya tau matututo? I am actually considering Gordon, Gibo and Villar, pero ng mapanood ang you tube video na inap-load jaust a while ago, parang sya (gordon) na ang gusto kong iboto. But sadly, Pinoys dont like him.
Here's an archive story of his ouster as SBMA Chairman. Because of a cigarette butt of then Vice Pres Erap
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:28:00 06/03/2009
Filed Under: Politics
Former president Joseph Estrada made himself the butt of jokes via his “Eraptions” to propel himself into Malacañang. His presidency was a big joke. His ouster from his post and his eventual pardon, courtesy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, were jokes of the highest order. Former Rep. Felicito Payumo’s ascension to the chairmanship of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority in 1998 was a big joke too. Imagine replacing Richard Gordon with his and Subic’s No. 1 nemesis? It was a cruel joke and a vengeful act that almost ruined the gains of some 8,000 Filipino volunteers who toiled to make the Subic miracle happen.
In his letter, Payumo pointed out that it was the law, not Erap’s cigarette, that ousted Gordon from SBMA. (Inquirer, 5/26/09) No one is disputing that, but to say that it wasn’t Erap’s cigarette butt— which he threw on the rug of then Mayor Gordon’s office in Olongapo City hall in the presence of journalists, including the late Luis Beltran— which Gordon picked up to Erap’s consternation, is an imaginative joke.
That incident brought an end to Erap and Dick’s friendship. I would do a Bill Clinton in saying to Payumo, “It’s the cigarette butt, stupid!” Everyone knows that when Estrada assumed office, his first order of the day was to issue an executive order voiding Gordon’s re-appointment as SBMA chairman by former President Fidel Ramos. How personal can someone be? If he didn’t take that cigarette butt incident too personally, would an executive order ousting Gordon from SBMA be an utmost priority for a president of millions of Filipinos?
The Supreme Court long ago settled the matter and Gordon has all the right in the world to claim that it was that incident that spurred his ouster. It was his personal opinion as told to ANC in the same manner that it was Erap’s personal motivation to get back at Gordon.
It’s a good thing that Payumo now belongs to the dustbin of SBMA’s history and, by dint of luck for his province-mates, that of Bataan too. In his hunger to grab the limelight again, this lackluster politician wants to ride on Gordon’s increasing popularity as a well-meaning national leader. Gordon accepted the Supreme Court’s decision as all law-abiding Filipinos must do. He now holds a high position in government as a lawmaker, and let’s face it, he is making a difference in that otherwise boring and sometimes theatrical body.
This just goes to prove that you can’t put a good man down. There is always an open window for guys who have integrity and capability to make a change or effect change in our nation. As for Payumo, all he needs is a feather duster to wipe him off completely from the political landscape that he desperately wants to re-invade.
Ang akala ni Erap sa pagpapatalsik kay Gordon sa SBMA eh ikakabagsak na nito, nagkamali sya...Binigyan lang nya ng pagkakataon si Gordon upang mas makatulong pa sa mas nakakarami at hindi lang sa Olongapo...Nakapasok si Gordon ng Tourism after syang mapalitan bilang chairman ng SBMA db? at ngayon nga tumatakbo bilang Presidente ng Pinas.
Ang tutuo, Mayor pa lang si Gordon ng Olongapo pero makikita mo na yan sa mga probinsya kung saan may kalamidad o nangangailangan ng tulong. Di mo nga lang sya makikita sa TV, at yan ang pinagkaiba nya sa ilang pulitiko.
Walang perpektong tao sabi nga nila, kaya di rin masabing walang himalang ginagawa si Gordon sa Olongapo, sabi ng mga matatanda sa amin dati, corrupt daw si Gordon pero hindi ka na magrereklamo bilang mamamayan ng Olongapo, bakit kamo? Mas marami kasi syang nagagawang mas maganda at ikabubuti ng mga tao ng Olongapo kaysa sa mga pangit na gawain.
Sinong lider ang nakapagpasunod sa mga tao na maglinis ng isang lugar araw-araw sa loob ng tatlong buwan na walang bayad?...Si Gordon lang, bakit nya napasunod? Dahil sa pangakong trabaho para sa pamilya ng volunteers kapag natapos nila ang talong buwang pagbo-volunteer, at natupad naman...ang mga pamilya ng volunteers na qualified sa isang trabaho ay priority ng mga employer na naghahanap ng mga trabahador. Di lang yan, may mga libreng training ang mga kapamilya ng volunteer sa SBMA, driving lesson, basic computer training, etc...
Sa isip ko nga dati tuwing eleksyon, wala naman akong pagpipilian sa mga kandidato kaya kung sino na lang ang maganda ang plataporma eh yun ang iboboto ko, pero ngayon, sigurado na ako kung sino iboboto ko...
Bakit ko nasabi to? Taga-Olongapo ako eh! at isa ako sa nakinabang sa magagandang proyekto ni Gordon sa SBMA at Olongapo. Isa ako sa mga nakapag aral mag drive ng sasakyan ng libre sa SBMA...
Every politician had a skeleton on their closet and it always comes out during election… I would agree to PAUL’s point view about Noynoy, Villar Teodoro and Gordon.. But is it Gordon the hope of our country or he’s just only a pony president too? I hope not… Among all the candidates for president I guess Gordon is the best. We still have a few months left to cast our vote, so please vote wisely and not for the money and popularity.
at isa ako sa nakinabang sa magagandang proyekto ni Gordon sa SBMA at Olongapo. Isa ako sa mga nakapag aral mag drive ng sasakyan ng libre sa SBMA...
