The sniping between Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and the moderator of a presidential forum was one of the few highlights in a staid debate sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
Aquino, Liberal Party standard-bearer, could not hide his irritation at the remarks made by journalist Antonio Lopez that he wished the forum had a “more unbiased moderator.”
Lopez’s bias appeared to be for Aquino’s main rival, Sen. Manuel Villar.
The forum was sponsored by the PCCI at the Marriott Hotel, across from Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
In his introduction, Lopez described Villar, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, as a “self-made tycoon, former Speaker and Senate President, and former future President, probably.”
Lopez also fawned over Aquino’s cousin, Lakas-Kampi standard-bearer Gilbert Teodoro Jr., whom he repeatedly praised as a bar topnotcher.
Uninspired
By contrast, Lopez was uninspired in his introduction of Aquino, calling him a man with a good pedigree, grandson of a national hero, son of national heroes—former President (Corazon) Aquino and slain opposition Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.—congressman for nine years, and senator for three years.
“He will tell us what he is going to do,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that Aquino was somebody known for his “imagination.” He called deposed President Joseph Estrada “a man of action.”
Pro-Villar articles
After the forum, Aquino said he had no doubt who the moderator was rooting for. “He is favoring Villar,” he said.
Aquino showed reprints of Lopez’s articles heaping lavish praise on Villar. Lopez is BizNewsAsia publisher and president.
Aquino did not take too kindly being caught by surprise by Lopez who changed the order of the candidates queuing with their answers.
When Aquino complained that Lopez reversed the order of candidates giving their answers, the latter said: “A leader should be ready for surprises.”
Unfriendly moderator
To which Aquino shot back: “Especially if the moderator is unbiased like you.”
“I just hope there was parity. But I’m OK with that. It’s good to have yourself go through a test in an environment with an unfriendly moderator,” Aquino said after the forum.
The Liberal Party presidential candidate noted that Lopez had been against him and his family since the burial of his father in 1983. (Ninoy Aquino was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila’s international airport upon his arrival from exile. The killing triggered massive protests that led to the downfall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.)
The questions focused largely on the budget deficit, smuggling, mining, energy, poverty and investment policy.
Lack of managerial ability
Villar indirectly took aim at Aquino’s lack of “leadership, managerial ability and experience” in implementing a platform of government.
The Nacionalista Party standard-bearer asked businessmen if they would leave their corporations to someone who they did not trust could do the job.
Villar also asked whether the businessmen would let the same person run government which, he said, was a thousand times more difficult than managing a corporation.
Investor confidence
For his part, Aquino presented his agenda in combating corruption which he believed was the key to creating investor confidence in the economy.
Aquino, who described corruption as “theft and a form of murder by a thousand cuts,” promised to clamp down on the “mafia.”
“We know who use and abuse the law either to coddle favorites or extort from the vulnerable. We know who the smugglers and the tax evaders are. We know who the kidnapping and bank-robbery syndicates are, too. With your help, we will take them down,” he said.
Whistle-blowers
Aquino said his administration would welcome whistle-blowers and give them sanctuary.
Both Aquino and Villar refused to name their prospective Cabinet appointees.
Teodoro said he would retain Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Trade Secretary Peter Favila.
Eddie Villanueva, Bangon Pilipinas standard-bearer, said he would appoint two former socioeconomic planning secretaries—Cielito Habito and Solita Monsod.
Estrada said he would bring back to Malacañang the same Cabinet that served in his abbreviated presidency from middle of 1998 to January 2001. “They are all very competent,” he said.
Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, Bagumbayan standard-bearer, did not name names, but gave three criteria—“courageous, honest and intelligent.”
Not like MBC
In his opening speech, Estrada lauded the PCCI for not imposing its influence on the government “unlike other groups,” apparently referring to the Makati Business Club (MBC).
He partly blamed the MBC for his ouster, nine years ago.
Estrada said he would repeal the agrarian reform law, privatize National Power Corp. and abolish redundant government agencies.
At the open forum, Estrada made reference to his experience as a former president. “Others are still promising what I have already done,” he said.
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