The Philippine Online Chronicles

In the recently concluded HARAPAN aired live on ANC and The Filipino Channel (TFC), Senator Dick Gordon seemed to be one of the best performers, speaking eloquently of his platform of government and for the most part, directly addressing the questions hurled at him. He came as the most feisty among the presidential candidates, as if he had a soution to all the country’s woes; as if he would be in control if he were the president, making one think—could he be it? Unlike other presidential aspirants who made early “infomercials,” it is only of late that he came out with his own. Like most of the members of Senate, he is against the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao.  Like many, he is of the belief that there is no rebellion in Maguindanao and the declaration was just a ploy to favour the Ampatuans.  Rebellion, as a crime absorbs other crimes committed in furtherance of rebellion, thus depreciating the penalty for the atrocities committed.

Richard “Dick” Juico Gordon graduated with an A.B. History and Government from Ateneo and finished his law degree in UP before becoming a partner in the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRA) law firm. He was the youngest constitutional delegate to the 1973 Constitution and opposed the passage of the present constitution then, although he is at present, one of its sworn defenders, rejecting various attempts to amend the Constitution under the current administration. He came from a political family—both his parents, assassinated James Gordon and Amelia Gordon, and he himself was a former mayor of Olongapo and married to Kate Gordon who also served the same post and a congressional post and uncle of presidential aspirant former kagawad JC delos Reyes. Gordon served two terms as mayor, and was the first Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman. Under his leadership, Olongapo and Subic became the models for development, a picture of peace and order and economic growth after the devastation wrought by Pinatubo, with billions of pesos in foreign investments from blue-chip companies.  He successfully pushed for the creation of the Freeport and rejection of the 1991 bases agreement with the US.

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Senator Dick Gordon at the ANC Harapan Forum

After his SBMA stint, he became the Secretary of Tourism. His Wow Philippines program was relatively successful in promoting the Philippines as a top tourist destination despite problems in Mindanao and unsavoury travel advisories—in the process generating local employment and investment opportunities. He garnered the 5^th spot in the 2004 Senatorial election and he is at present, a Member of the Commission on Appointments, Chair of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments (13th Congress),  Senate Committee on Tourism, and the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon). Among the notable pieces of legislation he authored are: Automated Election System law, the Tourism Bill,Veterans Equity Law,the law fixing the regular elections of the ARMM, the Sin Tax Law, laws fixing the tax regime in Special Economic Zones and Freeports in Clark in Pampanga, Poro Point in La Union; and John Hay in Baguio; the law abolishing the death penalty law; and the Biofuels Act of 2007. He is also the head of the International Red Cross, and among those who actively participated in the rescue and relief operations for Ondoy and Pepeng typhoon victims. From 1982 to 2008, he has garnered various leadership awards like the 2008 Gold Humanitarian Award Japanese Red Cross and 1995 One of the 20 Great Asians of the Future Asiaweek Magazine 20th Anniversary Special, to name but two.

Given his credentials, achievements and eloquence Gordon could likely be in the top 3 among the contenders for the highest position of the land—but would he be able to top it?

The author in a photo op with Senator Dick Gordon at the ANC Harapan Forum, December 2, 2009

Blogwatch.ph will feature presidential candidates in the coming weeks. Blogwatch.ph is non partisan and will not seek to endorse any candidate. Disclosure of writers are found in their profiles.

Photos by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado Some Rights Reserved

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