The two front-runners in the presidential race Tuesday failed to show up at what had been billed as a major debate, and the wrath of the “Son of God” came down upon them.
Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP) had excused himself, citing sinus problems, while Nacionalista Party (NP) candidate Sen. Manuel Villar was tied up in a series of meetings, aides said.
Six other candidates—former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Senators Richard Gordon and Jamby Madrigal, former President Joseph Estrada, evangelist Eddie Villanueva and environmentalist Nicanor Perlas—attended the presidential forum organized by the group called “Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name.”
The sect is headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” who claims millions of followers.
No word, no honor
For Quiboloy, who still has to decide on whom his group will support on May 10, it’s all about palabra de honor (word of honor).
After reading an e-mail from Aquino explaining why he could not come, Quiboloy—obviously referring to the LP standard-bearer—told the thousands who came to hear the debate:
“You might be disappointed just like me. There is something that they say about commitment. An unknown man defined it as word of honor. When you fail to fulfill your commitment, you have no word and you have no honor.”
Noynoy’s reason
In his e-mail which Quiboloy read before the other candidates were asked to present their platforms of government, Aquino said he was advised by his doctors not to fly.
“As previously arranged, I have marked this event and was eagerly looking forward to meeting you … and to share my platform. But I was advised by my physician not to travel by aircraft for two consecutive occasions due to barosinusitis,” Aquino said.
Barosinusitis is an inflammation of one or more of the sinuses and can be aggravated by air travel.
Quiboloy cries unfair
Apparently, Quiboloy was not happy. He said that the forum had been moved to Tuesday because he wanted Aquino to attend.
“It was originally set on Feb. 11 but Senator Aquino said that he won’t be able to make it at that time. I asked him to choose the date. Aquino chose March 9 and he committed to come on this day. But on Tuesday, he called and informed me that he won’t be able to come,” Quiboloy lamented.
“All those whom we have invited came and fulfilled their commitments and they are here today. May God bless us all,” the Christian preacher said.
Although Villar was not castigated during the forum and prayer-meeting, Quiboloy told reporters later it was “unfair” that the Nacionalista Party (NP) candidate did not show up.
“I am disappointed [at] both of them because they’ve committed [to come] only to tell us at the last minute that they cannot make it,” Quiboloy said.
No endorsement yet
“Villar kept us waiting. His chief of staff kept on informing us that ‘parating na (he’s on his way’ ... but hindi pala (it turns out not). Why were we not informed? There is no explanation ... When you say something, do it,” Quiboloy added.
“It’s unfair to the Filipinos,” he said.
Quiboloy said his choice of presidential candidate would be announced next month, adding he was still “waiting for the Father’s revelation.”
Quiboloy claimed he has at least six million followers “in and out” of the country. Of the six million, at least three million are of voting age, he said.
‘A man of honor’
Villar arrived at about 11 a.m. but was unable to attend the forum because he was “held up in a series of meetings,” his party headquarters said.
It said Villar was seeking ways to meet Quiboloy “as soon as possible” and that the senator “is ready to face the assembly to explain his programs ... if he will be given a chance to do so.”
In Manila, Aquino’s spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, said that Quiboloy’s remarks about people having no word of honor was “unfortunate.”
“Senator Aquino is a man of honor and has delivered on his commitments. Unfortunately in this instance, it is beyond his control,” Lacierda said. “We hope Pastor Quiboloy will not use this one instance to hit the character of Senator Aquino.”
Lacierda noted that Villar himself was not able to attend the forum. He also said that Aquino was still willing to meet with Quiboloy if circumstances permitted.
Borrowed plane
The forum started later than its 3 p.m. schedule.
The candidates tackled issues that had been raised in previous debates, such the energy crisis, the El Niño phenomenon, the pork barrel system, corruption, healthcare, poverty, the conflict in Mindanao, private armies and education.
Estrada, who arrived at about 4:30 p.m., caused gales of laughter when he told the crowd he was late “because I just borrowed a plane. I could not afford to buy my own private plane.”
Asked how he could win back the people’s trust, Estrada, who was convicted of plunder but pardoned later, said: “To gain the respect of our people, you must be transparent in all your transactions in government.”
Gordon advocated a 24-hour working presidency. “You can text the President anytime,” he said.
Teodoro promised “to lead with humility,” saying: “To reach out and to heal, that is the first step toward sustainable progress.”
The forum was held at the 3,000-seat cathedral inside the sect’s central headquarters.
One-vote group
Some Roman Catholic Church officials said the attention that aspiring presidents was showering on Quiboloy was more because of the votes he commands rather than because of religion.
“The Quiboloy sect apparently has a very strong kingdom vote, meaning to say they were like the previous Iglesia ni Cristo, that what the founder says, the followers will do,” said Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.
Cruz added: “How can you violate what the son of God will say? So I presume that the flocking there of candidates is because of the solid bloc vote of, they call themselves, the ‘Kingdom citizens.’”
Showing posts with label Presidential Forum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Presidential Forum. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Aquino annoyed by moderator’s bias for Villar
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.
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.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) presidential forum
Presidential candidates who attended a forum with the business community on Tuesday gave glimpses on who they want to appoint as Cabinet officials if they win on May 10.
At the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) presidential forum on Tuesday, 6 candidates were asked about their choices for their Cabinet if they become president.
They were asked to specify 3 potential appointees.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he would like to keep current Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila.
Cabral is notable for supporting the reproductive health bill, an issue that Teodoro had wavered on in previous presidential forums.
Earlier in the PCCI forum, Teodoro said he sees no need to remove government officials from their posts if they are “doing a good job.”
This was in answer to a question on what candidates should do about redundant or underperforming government agencies.
Reappointments
Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas said his ideal Cabinet will include economists Cielito Habito of the Ateneo de Manila University and Solita Monsod of the UP School of Economics.
Habito was director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) under the Ramos administration while Monsod was NEDA chief in the early part of the Aquino administration.
He also named public accountant Benjamin Punongbayan as an ideal appointee for his Cabinet.
Villanueva said his choice of appointees will be based on “character, competence and integrity.”
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), meanwhile, said he will bring back most Cabinet members who served under his administration before he was ousted in 2001.
“I had the best Cabinet ever,” he said. “None of them were involved in any scam.”
Cabinet officials during Estrada’s term included Gemma Cruz-Araneta as tourism secretary, Orlando Mercado as defense secretary, and Benjamin Diokno as budget secretary.
Estrada had appointed Jose Pardo and later Manuel “Mar” Roxas, who is now running as vice president under the Liberal Party, as trade and industry secretary, among others.
Still a secret
Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, however, declined to answer the question.
“I’ve taken the position of not naming them,” Aquino said.
Sen. Richard Gordon and Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar, meanwhile, did not specify whom they want to appoint, but described qualities they look for in their Cabinet officials.
“I want somebody courageous, who is honest and who will be terribly efficient,” said Gordon, who is running under the Bagumbayan Party.
Villar also refused to name names, but stressed the importance of teamwork in his Cabinet if he wins as president.
“Para sa ganun po, mas malayo ang marating ng ating team. (So that our team can go farther),” Villar said.
A presidential Cabinet is composed of the most high-ranking appointed officials in the executive branch of the Philippine government.
Cabinet officials currently comprise of the 19 secretaries of executive departments, the heads of the National Security Council and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), as well as the head of the Presidential Management Staff, the press secretary and executive secretary
At the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) presidential forum on Tuesday, 6 candidates were asked about their choices for their Cabinet if they become president.
They were asked to specify 3 potential appointees.
Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said he would like to keep current Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila.
Cabral is notable for supporting the reproductive health bill, an issue that Teodoro had wavered on in previous presidential forums.
Earlier in the PCCI forum, Teodoro said he sees no need to remove government officials from their posts if they are “doing a good job.”
This was in answer to a question on what candidates should do about redundant or underperforming government agencies.
Reappointments
Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas said his ideal Cabinet will include economists Cielito Habito of the Ateneo de Manila University and Solita Monsod of the UP School of Economics.
Habito was director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) under the Ramos administration while Monsod was NEDA chief in the early part of the Aquino administration.
He also named public accountant Benjamin Punongbayan as an ideal appointee for his Cabinet.
Villanueva said his choice of appointees will be based on “character, competence and integrity.”
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), meanwhile, said he will bring back most Cabinet members who served under his administration before he was ousted in 2001.
“I had the best Cabinet ever,” he said. “None of them were involved in any scam.”
Cabinet officials during Estrada’s term included Gemma Cruz-Araneta as tourism secretary, Orlando Mercado as defense secretary, and Benjamin Diokno as budget secretary.
Estrada had appointed Jose Pardo and later Manuel “Mar” Roxas, who is now running as vice president under the Liberal Party, as trade and industry secretary, among others.
Still a secret
Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, however, declined to answer the question.
“I’ve taken the position of not naming them,” Aquino said.
Sen. Richard Gordon and Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar, meanwhile, did not specify whom they want to appoint, but described qualities they look for in their Cabinet officials.
“I want somebody courageous, who is honest and who will be terribly efficient,” said Gordon, who is running under the Bagumbayan Party.
Villar also refused to name names, but stressed the importance of teamwork in his Cabinet if he wins as president.
“Para sa ganun po, mas malayo ang marating ng ating team. (So that our team can go farther),” Villar said.
A presidential Cabinet is composed of the most high-ranking appointed officials in the executive branch of the Philippine government.
Cabinet officials currently comprise of the 19 secretaries of executive departments, the heads of the National Security Council and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), as well as the head of the Presidential Management Staff, the press secretary and executive secretary
Monday, February 8, 2010
Philippine Daily Inquirer Presidential Forum
Like the Filipino delicacy balut, the first Philippine Daily Inquirer presidential debate was not for the faint-hearted.
Pointed and witty queries ranging from the price of “galunggong” and salted eggs to Charter change and the budget deficit, sharp brickbats and a lively audience marked the event at the jampacked University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City Monday.
Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Richard “Dick” Gordon, Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Manny Villar, Councilor JC de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas, ex-Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva faced a tough grilling by nine panelists, who also read questions from Inquirer readers, and several members of the audience.
The forum lasted more than two hours and was aired live by dzBB, the AM radio station of GMA 7, which is the Inquirer’s election coverage partner.
Madrigal stole the show by sniping at Villar at every opportunity, blasting him for his extensive advertisements to his group’s boycott of the Senate’s last session day when senators were supposed to vote on the recommendation to censure him for the C-5 controversy.
Madrigal was on a roll when she seemingly flunked the test on how much a kilo of galunggong and salted eggs cost.
Villar, at the receiving end of brickbats from Madrigal and Gordon, lashed back when he emphatically declared he was spending his own money. He suggested that people might be voting for the anonymous backers of his rivals who depended on campaign contributions.
No to Charter change
Villar, who has caught up on survey front-runner Aquino, also offered the day’s most defining issue—that he won’t call a constitutional convention or constituent assembly to amend the Charter.
“Charter change will not be my priority; I believe it is not that important,” he said in response to the question by foreign business and political analyst Peter Wallace. He said he’ll leave it up to the people to decide in a referendum.
De los Reyes, the youngest among the aspirants, said that while he might be open to reviewing the constitutional ban on foreign ownership of land, he was still for a nationalist policy. He also stuck to his stand against the reproductive health bill which he described as “really dangerous.”
Villanueva had to defend his dual role as a religious figure and a politician, but he also earned points for advocating real development for Mindanao.
Perlas, who shrugged off his low survey ratings, declared that one of his first acts as president would be to create a Department of Civil Society Affairs.
A confident Teodoro came out strong on doing away with corruption in the bureaucracy, by reducing temptation and increasing incentives for performance.
No new taxes
Teodoro’s cousin Aquino, the consistent survey topnotcher, stood by his position that he would not raise taxes if elected.
This drew a strong rebuke from Gordon who said those promising no tax increases were lying because there simply was no way to address the budget deficit with no additional revenue.
Also on the warpath like Madrigal, Gordon hit the filing of rebellion cases against the Ampatuans for the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 civilians and journalists in Maguindanao, saying the rebellion was meant to weaken the crime of murder.
Deposed President Joseph Estrada paid for his absence by being slammed in absentia.
When debate organizer and Inquirer columnist John Nery announced that he would not make it, the audience laughed and some even applauded.
Gordon drew the absent Estrada in by hitting his pro-poor stance and lamenting the Filipinos’ kind of “political maturity” and values by accepting and forgiving a candidate who had been convicted for plunder.
All about character
Nery laid down the Inquirer debate’s purpose, saying this would show the candidates’ “character or lack of it” and expose his or her “confidence or lack of it.”
The debate was rendered lively also by naughty and witty questions, which made some candidates flinch and others shine.
Teodoro made sure there would be no domestic quarrels by putting his mother-in-law No. 1 on his list. Aquino had to assure that while he was an “indulgent” brother, he would not be under the dictates of his popular and “ostentatious” sister Kris.
Could Madrigal say something good about Villar? His dyed hair looked good.
Madrigal was unflinching in her anti-Villar crusade when a reader dropped in a surprise quiz for her: Do you know how much a kilo of galunggong and red eggs cost? She was way off-mark but got off by saying she’s a vegetarian. (We checked; she is.–Ed)
Madrigal and Gordon apparently enjoyed being the debate’s hecklers, and the crowd applauded when they sniped at Villar, who tried to keep his cool on the far end of the stage. (They were positioned in alphabetical order.)
But Villar had his own share of supporters in the crowd, who applauded when he offered no apologies for his rags-to-riches story and for unabashedly spending his own money on ads.
Crowd favorites
From the applause, the crowd favorites were Aquino, Gordon, Teodoro, Villar and Madrigal.
The candidates were allowed to have 20 supporters in the theater to applaud them.
The candidates fielded questions from nine panelists: Inquirer columnists Raul Pangalangan, Fr. Joaquin Bernas SJ and senior reporter Fe Zamora on law and politics; columnists Rina Jimenez-David and Michael Tan and Inquirer youth section editor Pam Pastor on social issues; and columnist Cielito Habito, Inquirer opinion editor Jorge Aruta and Inquirer business editor Raul Marcelo on economic issues.
In addition, there were questions from the floor by Katribu party-list’s Beverly Longid, dean Roland Tolentino of the UP College of Mass Communications, Peter Perfecto of Philippine Business for Education, UP student Franz de la Fuente, Gil Salazar of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Sylvia Claudio of Watch Out When Women Vote, Makati Business Club’s Alberto Lim, Reuters reporter Manny Mogato and Wallace.
Pangalangan opened the debate by asking Aquino about his statement that he would not recognize a Chief Justice appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The other questions included how to address the restiveness in the military, corruption in the Bureau of Customs, political dynasty, private armies, arming the media, the separation of Church and state, the Asean charter, mining, how to solve the peace and poverty problem in Mindanao, the division of congressional districts, the environment, the elderly, education, urban housing, divorce and sex education, the Internal Revenue Allotment of local governments, the pork barrel, the Arroyo administration’s stimulus package, debt payments, even the Sangguniang Kabataan and of course poverty.
Shaping public discourse
Inquirer president Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, in her welcome remarks, said the Inquirer debate was the paper’s contribution to the “country’s most important election in a generation” and marked the first in a series of activities for the Inquirer’s 25th anniversary this year.
She said that despite widespread pessimism, the candidates have at least made themselves available for such debates where the public can learn about their platforms. Noting that the official campaign period begins on Tuesday, she said that “we in the Inquirer hope that this event will help shape public discourse today and the next 90 days and beyond.”
Romualdez thanked the Inquirer’s co-presentor of the debate—Globe Telecoms represented by Jaime and Fernando Zobel de Ayala—and the UP College of Mass Communications and 14 partner organizations.
Inquirer chair Marixi Prieto, editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Inquirer founder Eugenia Apostol and publisher Isagani Yambot led the Inquirer family in the event, which was also graced by some diplomats and members of political parties and supporters of candidates.
Madrigal’s husband Eric Valade, Villar’s three children and Teodoro’s wife Rep. Nikki Prieto-Teodoro were among those who came to watch.
Tickets ran out for the debate as around 2,500 people filled the UP Theater. source: inquirer.net
Pointed and witty queries ranging from the price of “galunggong” and salted eggs to Charter change and the budget deficit, sharp brickbats and a lively audience marked the event at the jampacked University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City Monday.
Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Richard “Dick” Gordon, Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and Manny Villar, Councilor JC de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas, ex-Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro and evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva faced a tough grilling by nine panelists, who also read questions from Inquirer readers, and several members of the audience.
The forum lasted more than two hours and was aired live by dzBB, the AM radio station of GMA 7, which is the Inquirer’s election coverage partner.
Madrigal stole the show by sniping at Villar at every opportunity, blasting him for his extensive advertisements to his group’s boycott of the Senate’s last session day when senators were supposed to vote on the recommendation to censure him for the C-5 controversy.
Madrigal was on a roll when she seemingly flunked the test on how much a kilo of galunggong and salted eggs cost.
Villar, at the receiving end of brickbats from Madrigal and Gordon, lashed back when he emphatically declared he was spending his own money. He suggested that people might be voting for the anonymous backers of his rivals who depended on campaign contributions.
No to Charter change
Villar, who has caught up on survey front-runner Aquino, also offered the day’s most defining issue—that he won’t call a constitutional convention or constituent assembly to amend the Charter.
“Charter change will not be my priority; I believe it is not that important,” he said in response to the question by foreign business and political analyst Peter Wallace. He said he’ll leave it up to the people to decide in a referendum.
De los Reyes, the youngest among the aspirants, said that while he might be open to reviewing the constitutional ban on foreign ownership of land, he was still for a nationalist policy. He also stuck to his stand against the reproductive health bill which he described as “really dangerous.”
Villanueva had to defend his dual role as a religious figure and a politician, but he also earned points for advocating real development for Mindanao.
Perlas, who shrugged off his low survey ratings, declared that one of his first acts as president would be to create a Department of Civil Society Affairs.
A confident Teodoro came out strong on doing away with corruption in the bureaucracy, by reducing temptation and increasing incentives for performance.
No new taxes
Teodoro’s cousin Aquino, the consistent survey topnotcher, stood by his position that he would not raise taxes if elected.
This drew a strong rebuke from Gordon who said those promising no tax increases were lying because there simply was no way to address the budget deficit with no additional revenue.
Also on the warpath like Madrigal, Gordon hit the filing of rebellion cases against the Ampatuans for the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 civilians and journalists in Maguindanao, saying the rebellion was meant to weaken the crime of murder.
Deposed President Joseph Estrada paid for his absence by being slammed in absentia.
When debate organizer and Inquirer columnist John Nery announced that he would not make it, the audience laughed and some even applauded.
Gordon drew the absent Estrada in by hitting his pro-poor stance and lamenting the Filipinos’ kind of “political maturity” and values by accepting and forgiving a candidate who had been convicted for plunder.
All about character
Nery laid down the Inquirer debate’s purpose, saying this would show the candidates’ “character or lack of it” and expose his or her “confidence or lack of it.”
The debate was rendered lively also by naughty and witty questions, which made some candidates flinch and others shine.
Teodoro made sure there would be no domestic quarrels by putting his mother-in-law No. 1 on his list. Aquino had to assure that while he was an “indulgent” brother, he would not be under the dictates of his popular and “ostentatious” sister Kris.
Could Madrigal say something good about Villar? His dyed hair looked good.
Madrigal was unflinching in her anti-Villar crusade when a reader dropped in a surprise quiz for her: Do you know how much a kilo of galunggong and red eggs cost? She was way off-mark but got off by saying she’s a vegetarian. (We checked; she is.–Ed)
Madrigal and Gordon apparently enjoyed being the debate’s hecklers, and the crowd applauded when they sniped at Villar, who tried to keep his cool on the far end of the stage. (They were positioned in alphabetical order.)
But Villar had his own share of supporters in the crowd, who applauded when he offered no apologies for his rags-to-riches story and for unabashedly spending his own money on ads.
Crowd favorites
From the applause, the crowd favorites were Aquino, Gordon, Teodoro, Villar and Madrigal.
The candidates were allowed to have 20 supporters in the theater to applaud them.
The candidates fielded questions from nine panelists: Inquirer columnists Raul Pangalangan, Fr. Joaquin Bernas SJ and senior reporter Fe Zamora on law and politics; columnists Rina Jimenez-David and Michael Tan and Inquirer youth section editor Pam Pastor on social issues; and columnist Cielito Habito, Inquirer opinion editor Jorge Aruta and Inquirer business editor Raul Marcelo on economic issues.
In addition, there were questions from the floor by Katribu party-list’s Beverly Longid, dean Roland Tolentino of the UP College of Mass Communications, Peter Perfecto of Philippine Business for Education, UP student Franz de la Fuente, Gil Salazar of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Sylvia Claudio of Watch Out When Women Vote, Makati Business Club’s Alberto Lim, Reuters reporter Manny Mogato and Wallace.
Pangalangan opened the debate by asking Aquino about his statement that he would not recognize a Chief Justice appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The other questions included how to address the restiveness in the military, corruption in the Bureau of Customs, political dynasty, private armies, arming the media, the separation of Church and state, the Asean charter, mining, how to solve the peace and poverty problem in Mindanao, the division of congressional districts, the environment, the elderly, education, urban housing, divorce and sex education, the Internal Revenue Allotment of local governments, the pork barrel, the Arroyo administration’s stimulus package, debt payments, even the Sangguniang Kabataan and of course poverty.
Shaping public discourse
Inquirer president Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, in her welcome remarks, said the Inquirer debate was the paper’s contribution to the “country’s most important election in a generation” and marked the first in a series of activities for the Inquirer’s 25th anniversary this year.
She said that despite widespread pessimism, the candidates have at least made themselves available for such debates where the public can learn about their platforms. Noting that the official campaign period begins on Tuesday, she said that “we in the Inquirer hope that this event will help shape public discourse today and the next 90 days and beyond.”
Romualdez thanked the Inquirer’s co-presentor of the debate—Globe Telecoms represented by Jaime and Fernando Zobel de Ayala—and the UP College of Mass Communications and 14 partner organizations.
Inquirer chair Marixi Prieto, editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Inquirer founder Eugenia Apostol and publisher Isagani Yambot led the Inquirer family in the event, which was also graced by some diplomats and members of political parties and supporters of candidates.
Madrigal’s husband Eric Valade, Villar’s three children and Teodoro’s wife Rep. Nikki Prieto-Teodoro were among those who came to watch.
Tickets ran out for the debate as around 2,500 people filled the UP Theater. source: inquirer.net
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Isang Tanong (The GMA News and Public Affairs Presidential Forum) Part 2
Isang Tanong (The GMA News and Public Affairs Presidential Forum) Part 2
Isang Tanong (The GMA News and Public Affairs Presidential Forum) Part 1
Isang Tanong (The GMA News and Public Affairs Presidential Forum) Part 1
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