So You Want to Be President?

Candidates' responses in an interview with The Philippine Star

source: http://www.philstar.com/microsite/election2010/candidates.html

ISSUE DICK GORDON NOYNOY AQUINO GIBO TEODORO MANNY VILLAR NICK PERLAS
Stopped August 2008. Used to consume two packs a
Smoker? No. Regular smoker. (not asked) No.
day.
I will say no. Corruption is not just about stealing, but
The main problem is not the absence of laws but Creating a culture and attitude against corruption in the Decentralize economy, spread to rural areas. Eradicate
CORRUPTION also about efficiency. The law must be made to work, It’s an economic problem.
enforcing the same. bureaucracy. corruption.
and act fast.
Reframe the paradigm of education, – away from the IQ
Introduce literacy in preschool in the public sector,
Tackle basic education, move from a 10-year to a 12- Education needs additional funding.  We go for gold. but towards multiple intelligence approach. To improve
Teachers are the key. Pay teachers P40,000 but they including literacy in the mother tongue. We need around
EDUCATION year basic education program with an additional nursery Universities should compete with the best in the world. quality of education, we should tap other intelligences –
should deliver. P1.5 billion a year for teacher training. Set up special
to prepare them for going to school. Address low literacy rate. emotional, moral, existential, naturalistic, spiritual.
student loan fund under SSS.

Educate first the children according to their mother

Importance of English It’s really important, but literacy also in the mother
Pay the teachers well and you’re going to get English I’m a firm believer in teaching them first in the mother I agree that English should be made a medium of tongue. At a certain age, we bring in English in a creative
proficiency in national tongue. English remains the language of science,
proficiency. tongue. instruction. way. This way, we engage the full faculties of the
competitiveness. technology and diplomacy.
children.
Our backbone is job generation and our biggest
Agriculture, since focus on agriculture linked to poverty
Tourism, agriculture, health, education, ICT, intellectual prospect is the IT field and tourism, and agriculture
 Economic sectors for priority Agriculture. Post-harvest facilities as a complement to Agricultural because only for reasons one 70% of our reduction. Eco-cultural tourism, showcase living culture
property. Handle corruption, war in Mindanao, climate especially the post-agriculture aspect. There will be an
development. agrarian reform. poor people are in agriculture. and reconceptualize fiestas.
change. infrastructure program. I also want to revive our
manufacturing. 

Make beneficiaries agro-entrepreneurs. Go slow on Provide beneficiaries with sufficient integrated support,
Agrarian reform Form cooperatives. (not asked) (not asked)
acquisition. Mechanize. Dialog with stakeholders. such as agri infrastructure, access to markets, etc.

We are victims here. The developed countries are the Climate change is already happening in the country. Sea
ones responsible for this. We have no choice except to levels have risen, they experience it in Panglao Island in
Adaptation. Build more nuclear, hydroelectric plants. Implement Clean Air Act, eliminate corruption in testing Implement Clean Air Act. Institute lifestyle changes. participate in the efforts to stop global warming. We can Bohol, Talisay in Cebu and in the coastal villages of
CLIMATE CHANGE
Technical intervention must be planned.  of motor vehicle emissions. Have solid waste management. No open dumpsites. seek carbon credits. We should tap the private sector... Dumaguete. A long-term policy would be to redesign
address global warming and address our economic coastal towns and cities.
problem. I want to be more aggressive on this.

I have several approaches. One is to realign the budget

to give the proper allocation that ARMM and other
Must be solved under local circumstances, like the local
Prioritize employment and development to remove Strengthen the Armed Forces. Improve the Human Muslim areas deserve. ARMM has twice the poverty rate
PEACE IN MINDANAO There are only two of the four parties concerned talking. peace and order councils, because each area has
justification for rebellion. Development Index. Continue the peace process. in the Philippines and they have been systematically
distinct customs and traditions.
disenfranchised over the years, which is the reason for
rebellion.

Gays shouldn’t be discriminated against in terms of

Should be talked about objectively. Sign of maturity of Human rights are important but divisive matters are not a
GAY RIGHTS/ GAY MARRIAGE Rights, yes; co-ownership. Marriage, no. occupation and other aspects. I’m not prepared to Yes, on both questions
the country. priority.
support it (gay marriage).
Show the people that a new government has really
What can we expect in your come into power, with political will. Disband private
You will feel the change on the first day. (not asked) I will try to reach out to my political opponents. (not asked)
first 100 days? armies; clean BIR and BOC of corruption; remove
smoke belching vehicles.

Whoever invites me. I will, however, prioritize the Southeast Asian countries.
First Foreign Trip as President I really would rather not go on state visits. No travel for the first six months. Saudi Arabia. Ideally, US, but you need an invitation.
necessary travels meant to get investments.

** no interviews yet with Eddie Villanueva, Jamby Madrigal

Any comments? Email me-- ejabelleza@yahoo.com