My friend Jun Campillo invited me to the Presidential Policy Forum sponsored by the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation of which he is one of the main movers, and I am glad I went. There is a difference between watching a forum on television, no matter if live, as against being right there where it unfolds.
The forum, held at the AIM Conference Center, was mainly focused on the country’s external relations and international competitiveness, which are the primary concerns of the policy center named after one of our history’s top diplomats, and is ably presided over by his son, himself a seasoned diplomat, former ambassador and foreign minister Bobby Romulo.
Only three of the five major presidentiables went to yesterday’s jam-packed forum – Gilbert Teodoro, Dick Gordon and Manny Villar. The audience was pretty distinguished, with foreign diplomats and heads of multinational agencies, foreign trade chambers, credible business community leaders, media, and even a former president, Fidel V. Ramos. Erap probably dodged the forum wisely. That crowd would not have warmed up to him, nor he to them. But Noynoy should have been around. Most in the audience empathize with him and Mar. His absence became more felt when FVR asked the obvious when he stood up to ask the last question – “Where are the others?”
If he were not Gloria’s candidate, and he was not the standard bearer of a traditional party where crooks abound and in fact preside, I would give my vote to Gilbert Teodoro, based on what I know about him, and what I have heard, especially in yesterday’s forum. He never pandered to the audience, whether in the hall or among the live audience, unlike Manny Villar who would address the OFW voters and their influence at every possible opportunity. Nothing wrong with that, except that the ideas and solutions he offered were things he could have authored in Congress, particularly when he was Senate President and before that, chair of the Senate Finance Committee where he instead prioritized the funding for his beloved C-5 Road.
Gilbert, in contrast, showed mastery of facts and figures, and I must congratulate his staff for preparing him well. But as most of us who have been on the staff of candidates and political personalities in the past know all too well, the credit really goes to a sharp, responsive, studious and responsible principal, more than we could ever input our thoughts and counsel.
Dick Gordon would also make a fine president, and his credentials, particularly as Olongapo mayor and Subic free zone administrator speak for themselves. Unfortunately, with little by way of machinery and a wide chasm in the surveys to overtake in so short a period of time, 2010 is not going to be friendly to Dick in his presidential quest. He reminds me of my ninong, Vice President Doy Laurel in 1992, certainly most prepared, certainly most eloquent in a field of seven candidates, but whose quest was doomed by an avalanche of numbers in favor of the leading contenders – FVR, Miriam, Danding and the late Tata Monching Mitra. With a corresponding paucity of resources, the role that the late Doy Laurel inexorably played was that of gadfly against Mitra and Danding. His attacks weakened the two and perhaps involuntarily promoted FVR’s chances, which is exactly what happened. For by touting his accomplishments and taunting others who may not have had the opportunity to excel in administration because they had been no more than legislators in their shorter public life, Gordon could, effectively or not, impair the chances of a leading presidential candidate.
Which is why I rue the fact that Noynoy’s handlers did not ascertain his presence in this forum. Noynoy, based on his improved presence in previous fora, would not have paled in comparison to the three. At the very least, he would have held his ground against Villar, who after all is his main protagonist, and whose motherhood statements and rote performance in the foreign policy forum was the least outstanding compared to Gilbert first and Gordon second.
Still and all, while Gilbert and even Dick and Villar showed adequate preparation and gave out pretty well-studied answers, there was a clear lack of demonstrated leadership audacity, the kind of daring and boldness, whether in foreign or domestic policy, that the forum elicited. There was also a lack of specifics. And furthermore, one could have made a case against both Gilbert and Villar, who held positions of high authority, who nonetheless did little of what they themselves proposed in the forum, when they had the actual chance.
For instance, on the first topic, which was Maguindanao and the prevalence of private militias in the South, Gilbert was firm about the need to reduce these and increase the presence of regular soldiers and policemen. But he was secretary of national defense the past two years. What did he do to reduce those private armies, or at least mitigate the over-powering control of the Ampatuans?
Villar mouthed motherhood – poverty is the root cause. And we should, he said, provide the basic services – health, education, infrastructure, which would have increased the awfully low human development index of the ARMM population. Nobody is going to quarrel with such platitudes, but then again, would he have prioritized a road in Sulu over double appropriations for C-5 which would traverse his properties?
I waited for bold statements, specific answers to opportunities which the panel of interrogators, Amy Pamintuan, Ambassador Rod Severino, and CNN’s Jimmy Flor Cruz gave the candidates in their questions.
For instance, when Jimmy asked about the obvious prevalence of non-career ambassadors in our diplomatic service, a straightforward statement like declaring that as president, he would stick to the acceptable ratio of career versus non-career diplomats would have been the very least affirmative action expected. That never came.
Villar talked about preferring specialists more than generalists in the diplomatic service, Gordon worried about financial constraints that somehow justified the appointment of wealthy non-career ambassadors, and Gibo defended having a surfeit of military and police retirees littering the foreign service, while correctly emphasizing the need for good research and policy studies support.
I would have advised a presidential candidate to answer such a good opportunity in straightforward, definitive and declarative manner. Such as: “There are less than 100 ambassador-level positions in the foreign service. I will limit the number of non-career appointments to just about a dozen, at most 15 ambassadors. And while I have identified in my mind what postings I shall yet accord to the non-career service, I will do so only when I have been elected. But mark my assurance now — no more than fifteen.”
The people want change, and they want bold new measures. Not the usual platitudes. Not motherhood. And certainly not answers which betray a sub-conscious political and/or transactional “need” to protect certain segments of society or the political elite, or answers carefully crafted so as not to slight the feelings of one’s patron or patroness.
the ideas and solutions he offered were things he could have authored in Congress, particularly when he was Senate President and before that, chair of the Senate Finance Committee where he instead prioritized the funding for his beloved C-5 Road.
Can’t really expect anything better of Villar the opportunist, the greedy, the dishonest, etc.
Gilbert was firm about the need to reduce these and increase the presence of regular soldiers and policemen. But he was secretary of national defense the past two years. What did he do to reduce those private armies, or at least mitigate the over-powering control of the Ampatuans?
Teodoro might have a good memory but doesn’t mean he is intelligent… He’s undoubtedly a good presenter, like most travelling salesmen but in reality he is an incompetent bloke. If he’s incompetent — and he’s proven it during a disaster, no amount of number crunching gimmicks in public fora will make him competent.
The distinction between fashion and style: As the call for honesty in the political arena is the current trend and fashion (me too), I must confess my initiator role as setting the style (only me).
villar, gibo and dick were high officials of a country judged globally as one of the most corrupt and least competitive ,ergo, villar, gibo and dick were corrupt and incompetent gov’t officials , all their answers in the forum only showed villar and gibo’s gross dishonesty, only a forum wherein candidates will agree to answer questions under a polygraph or lie detector test will be credible, people are tired of sweet talking and lying politicians, this forum should be called Lying Contest instead, to find out who is the best liar…
May 2010 election is a clear contest of Good VS Evil, between Honesty VS Treachery
it is so easy to know that Noynoy is the good and honest candidate, while villar is the evil and treacherous candidate.
partymates of villar were bought by villar with his ill gotten wealth and therefore with villar just for the money,
while Noynoy’s camp is composed of patriotic individuals and volunteers who even spend their own money for a noble cause, for God and Country
Gibo is one of the most qualified, but the kiss and stink of Gloria makes him a victim of the people’s wrath. Maybe he is the right candidate but with the wrong party and patron so he almost has a zero chance to win.
What a waste!
I’m the same way. The more I listen to Gibo, the more I am beginning to like him. But… BIG BUTT nang maliit, I just can’t. Sorry Gibo.
Between pro-administration candidates Gibo and Money (declared to be an opposition???), I’ll pick Gibo anytime. He has shown leadership qualities we need to reform governance in our country (I think?). He had shown attribute emulated from a “western politician” worth considering by the manner he present himself to the public. Due to wrong association, he lags in the survey but I don’t think he shared similar philosophy and/or attribute like many in the administration.
With regards to Money, the allegation hurled against him related to C5 road extension and Capitol Bank issues is quite serious with many considers it tantamount to a white collar crime that many voters, especially the young voters, don’t fully comprehend. In addition, clearing himself with the help of 12 other senators without the benefit of an official senate report related to C5 is also worth noticing.
” “Where are the others?” – FVR
Erap’s camp claimed that he was not invited. 😛
NoyNoy said something about a previous engagement that is more important than allowing people to listen to him and to ask him questions.
May 2010 election is a clear contest of Good VS Evil, between Honesty VS Treachery….christian
xxxxx
You’re wrong. It is between Good Breath vs. Bad Breath
May 2010 election is a clear contest of Good VS Evil, between Honesty VS Treachery….christian
A clown or comedian is born – Gustong magpatawa.
A clown or comedian is born – Gustong magpatawa. -florry
flor, you mean to say the likes of artsee, bitchevil, dodong and mario?
Nasaan na kaya sila?
Gibo is like a gift wrapped up nicely. But doesn’t really mean the “gift” is well, nice. For one, he is an ingrate, just ask people like Ramon Ang & Danding. Some people in the know says that, despite what Gibo did to Danding, he still very much wanted to support his candidacy but majority of the Cojuangco clan wanted him to support Noynoy. He desist, and instead decided not to support anyone. Some say he is now in Singapore (daw) to avoid anyone who’s trying to convince him to support candidates.
Sino si Adonis Simpao?
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1610/op_ep.htm
Huwag nating kalimutan. Dapat mawala na sa mundo ng Philippine politics ang pinakamasiba, pinakasinungaling, pinakamatakaw at pinakawalanghiyang babaeng nabuhay sa mundo na ayaw ng umalis sa malakanyang.
Sa mga Kapampangan, narito ang pag-asa ninyo.
Between pro-administration candidates Gibo and Money (declared to be an opposition???), I’ll pick Gibo anytime. -Olan
Between them two, I’ll pick Dick a hundred times.
Between the two, I’ll pick W. Not T, not O.
Randy David o si Satur, hindi man lang nila binabanggit ang pangalan ni Simpao.
Between pro administration candidates Gibo and Dick, looks like dick has an edge considering his many contributions to the development of Olongapo, the red cross, and the tourism industry, a proven leader in my view! But how come money is leading between pro-admin candidates? Do you think the young voters have something to do with this? Or just plain MONEY from money himself and his oligarch friends poured in this exercise?
Mike – January 16, 2010 2:33 pm
If what you stated is true, then Bigo is a stand-out. I mean, most politician seeks Danding and not the other way around! That’s way he is referred to as the “Boss” or the “Kingmaker”?
olan – January 17, 2010 12:52 am
Or because money claims to be in the opposition? or is he really?
Just thinking aloud. Why not give intelligent people the equivalent of double or triple votes in their ballots. We cannot equate their good manners, professionalism and best ideas to those handed with 500 peso bills seconds away to election day. We find this in the expat sector.
How will you assess intelligence? What should be the criteria?
If intelligence is a gauge for rewarding so-callled intelligent candidates with triple votes, then a lot of murderers and thieves, fraudsters, shysters, etc, who possess uncanny intelligence, should be candidates.
Possessing a good memory is not always a mark of intelligence.
Remember the Tom Cruise movie where he played brother to an autistic person (can’t remember the name of the actor anymore). The brother had a fabulous memory. Is that enough to put him up for candidacy?
Teodoro is incompetent. Full stop. He may be bright but he is incompetent. One can picture a presidency under him — when things go wrong, he’ll scream for help, just like what he did during Ondoy. The first thing he did was to ask for foreign help. Sanamagan!
My dog would be a better candidate. At least she does things by herself when she’s in trouble and not one to ask for help right away!!!
to valdemar at #22: Ang gawin na lang, hindi puwedeng makaboto kung hindi nakatapos ng high school.
mukhang ok naman si Gibo, it is just unfortunate that brilliant and intelligent as he seems to be bakit pumayag siyang pro gloria?
We can’t expect the present system to work for us for it is not meant to be. How can you expect a system to work for you when you are not the one putting it up there.
It is imposed on us specifically to deceive us.
The solution is for us to install our own system. And we don’t need to scour deep into our coconuts to do it. The template for a better system is already made for us.
That’s the Venus Project.
And the Disclosure Project headed by Steven Greer is moving towards that direction. Watch at Youtube with keywords like “barcelona exopolitics summit 2009” for the latest.
The magnitude of devastation related to Ondoy is unexpected. The blame is not for anyone person but the system we have and the people running it. The known problem of flooding in Metro Manila was never been a priority of many administration from Ramos to Gloria to include its local government, as can be seen by how they start and end their administration, with nothing concrete to show for it in return but more problems. Even now, not much is being carried out to mitigate possible repeat occurrence if not for some foreign USAID assistance? Next best thing at that time of Ondoy is to ask for foreign help to save many. Not ideal but what else can one do against almost intentional neglect? With regards to Bigo’s competence, for me is still remain to be seen.
Question now is, Can this situation be reverse whoever will be leading this country and the cities involve (known to collect record revenues in billions from taxes) after the election? Seriously!
” “Where are the others?” – FVR
____
Why ask the obvious? hahaha
Six firms submit bid documents for Jusmag property
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/01/16/10/six-firms-submit-bid-documents-jusmag-property
Solusyon ba ang pagbebenta ng mga ariarian ng estado upang matugunan ang lumolobong budget deficit? O, mas tamang pagbutihin nila ang trabaho sa gobyerno sa halip na ang pagpapalobo ng kanilang bank accounts ang unahin?
Ilang presidente na, mula nang patalsikin si FEM ang wala nang inisip kundi ang ibenta ang mga assets ng estado, subalit pinakagrabe ang admininstrasyong ito na bukod sa wala ng mandato ay wala pang malasakit sa tao. Kung bababa sa ninakaw na puwesto si gloria arroyo ay dapat siyang gisahin tungkol sa mga kinapuntahan ng mga pinagbilhan ng mga pag-aari ng gobyerno.
Sila lang magkakaalyado ang yumaman samantalang lublob sa paghihikahos ang mga pobreng Pilipino.
Kung walang ‘corrupt’ walang mahirap!
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/jan1710/op_jr.htm
“…..FVR asked the obvious when he stood up to ask the last question – “Where are the others?”
Itong si tabako, hilo.
Ano pakialam nito?
Magaling lang manggulo. Nagmamagaling samantalang hindi rin niya masagot ang mga kabalbalan noong siya pa ang presidente na pinagmanahan ni gloria sa pagiging biyahera.
Bayaning parangal kay Bonifacio
http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/jan1710/news_story3.htm
Sana meron ding ganito sa ating mga pulitiko. Handang magbuwis ng buhay para sa kapwa, buhay man o patay na.
Hindi ‘yung magaganda lamang ang mga pangako subalit pagtalikod ay iba ang ginagawa. Mga pulitikong magagaling lang sa salita subalit mga walang ginagawa at kapag pinuna ay ipagpipilitan pang dapat kumilos sa kanilang sa rili ang taong bayan at huwag iasa sa kanila ang lahat.
Subalit, ano’ng silbi ng pagkilos at pagsisikap ng mamamayan kung ang mga namumuno ay walang malasakit sa kanilang kapakanan. Magbibigay ng konting limos na ang gusto’y tanawing nakalaking utang na loob habang buhay gayung ang ginagastos ay mula sa pondong galing sa buwis ng taong bayan.
Kaya walang pag-unlad na masumpungan si Juan ay dahil sa mga ganid na pulitkong magnanakaw!
Subalit, ano’ng silbi ng pagkilos at pagsisikap ng mamamayan kung ang mga namumuno ay walang malasakit sa kanilang kapakanan? Magbibigay nga ng konting limos subalit ang gusto’y tanawing nakalaking utang na loob habang buhay gayung ang ginagastos ay mula sa pondong galing sa buwis ng taong bayan?
“……The people want change, and they want bold new measures. Not the usual platitudes…..”
Lumalabas palang para pa silang mga estudyante na kailangan pang igiya sa tamang pagtatanggol sa kanilang thesis. Humarap sila sa sambayanan na ang dala lamang ay mga kaisipang kahit sila ay hindi magagawang isakatuparan.
Humawak sa sila ng mga sensitibong posisyon sa gobyerno. Napabilang sa mga nanguna sa kanilang mga piang-aralan subalit walang nagawang tumpak sa kanilang panunugnkulan.
Pulitiko. Puro pangako. Puro salita. Kulang sa gawa. Sobra lang sa ngawa.
Nagpapapansin si irrelevant FVR. May follower pa ba yan? Mga relatives nga ay hindi na sumusunod sa kanya, ibang tao pa.
We can never have the government we wish for. We can only have one that we deserve.
We can only have one that we deserve.
If Villar gets away with “murder”, i.e., gets elected despite the obvious, then indeed, Filipinos will only have themselves to blame.
Imagine allowing a thief and a bloody scoundrel (Villar) to waste billions of pesos of public money when those funds could have been used, if not to feed millions of millions of impoverished Filipinos, at least they could have been used for livelihood projects.
Wasting billions of pesos that rightly belong to the Filipino people is tantamount to bloody murder.
chi: may sakit pa si FVR na KSP (kulang sa pansin)? kawawa naman..magtabako na lang siya at tumahimik..