The Philippine Online Chronicles

This article is meant to inform.  The blogwatch team held a podcast and videocast interview with Presidential Candidate and The Official LAKAS-KAMPI Standard-bearer, Gilbert Teodoro.  The following is an account of the questions and answers that should be very informative for the readers.

RICO BLANCO ISSUE

According to Teodoro, if the two parties cannot get into a fair and principled settlement or agreement with Rico Blanco, he will order his campaign to pull out the ad.  "I respect all the artists, and so the controversy is not worth the life that it is taking on"

Gibo Teodero 1

blogwatch ph's Podcast

Gibo Teodero 2

blogwatch ph's Podcast

LATEST BOOK HE'S READ, MUSIC, AND AUDIOBOOKS

He's been reading The Miracle of Asia, as well as The Slingshot and the Stone.

He was asked whether or not he listens to audiobooks, and he says he doesn't really listen to audiobooks, but he listens to music, he does like 70's and 80's music.  And, Rivermaya (that got a laugh out of everybody)

A GIBO PRESIDENCY ON THE CORPORATE WORLD

His answer on the question as to what a Gibo Presidency would be towards the corporate world is a complex one, because he touches on the general needs of the country of which the corporate world will essentially be beneficiary to any of the plans he aims to pursue.

And so, his answer touches on the need to develop physical, technological, and managerial infrastructure, thus setting the stage for development.

The aim and vision is actually focusing on the public sector so that it can be an inviting environment for investment. Thus the aim is a focus on good governance, transparency, and a long term infrastructure investment plan [Physical, Technical, and Managerial]

However, he does convey that he is open to provide some corporate tax relief, provided that it will not widen our deficit gap appreciably.

He also mentions specifically FDI which is Foreign Direct Investments as well as DOMESTIC INVESTMENTS as a means for growth.  This basically means that he will most likely pursue the trajectory of the current administration in terms of pursuing more investments for our nation.

In terms of Physical Infrastructure, he specifically points out the goal of ease of transportation and cites NLEX and SLEX, C5 AND C6, as examples.

There is a aside, as he highlights the fact, that focus on the corporate world should not be limited to Metro Manila, thus he is again, inserting the notion of a decentralized aspect of governance, where the other regions will have a chance to vie for investments as well.  He terms this, as having enhanced autonomy of certain regions in order to foster competition.

As he goes back to the need of infrastructure as it relates to physical and even transportation infrastructure, he goes into the costs of these projects.  And in Metro Manila, according to Teodoro, P208 Billion is still needed for reconstruction for safety concerns.

To paraphrase, the corporate world is just part of the greater macro economy of The Philippines and will benefit from these public sector initiatives.  Which is why he starts out stating that no president can directly affect the corporate world, but by laying the foundation of infrastructure for greater investments, all sectors will eventually benefit.

Last statement on this subject is that he believes a crucial job of the president is to sell the country to an international audience.

WITH REGARDS TO DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

The fact that we know we are a country that is prone to natural calamities and disasters, it was

asked why the funding does not reflect the actual need of departments and agencies that deal directly with these disasters.

He points to one overarching and important problem with regards to funding, and that is the problem of limited government resources.  He acknowledges the fact that there has been limited budget for education, health, national defense, and the like.  So the first task is to seek greater investment and revenue for funding purposes.  We currently have P290 billion budget deficit.

Also, the focus should be, because we are victims of climate change, we should focus on climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.

We have to build infrastructures in urban areas, and adequately equip rural areas, based on available information in a geohazard sort of way.. According to the DENR, 85% of the country has already been geohazard mapped, and only 15% of the country is left.  On those areas not urbanized, we have to already have laid down land use plans, and those should be followed..

Now because the initial plans for the development of Metro Manila, as an example, was not followed.. such as exit points of water being plugged up because of improper land use, reconstruction of Metro Manila, for the purpose of disaster risk management will cost The Philippine government an estimated 208 Billion..

Also there are other structural measures that need to be done.

1) forming of Philippine disaster risk management agency 2) to change the paradigm.. because under the National Disaster Coordinating Council law, The LGU are the first responders to any natural calamity, however, we realize the limit to the capacity of this model, because a) the differing capacity of individual LGU units and b) the fact that when a disaster strikes a local area, the reality is that the LGU can become incapacitated too. So you have to have a national backbone.

The two agencies, in terms of natural disasters, that you want to properly equip should be the Coast Guard and The Bureau of Fire Protection, because in other countries, the fire agencies form the backbone of any civil defense program, and that's what you want to do here.

Also, right now, under the law, the LGUs can only act, when there is already a declared calamity.  And they can only use a total of up to 5% of their revenue for calamities when it has already struck..  He proposes that the law should be amended so that at least that 5% can be used not only for disaster

response but for disaster risk management, to include preparedness, and mitigation, and rehabilitation..

He also says that the Philippines should also lead in the effort to make those who emit greenhouse gases the most to own up to their responsibilities to us who are the most affected by their emissions.. and who really feel the brunt of it.

FOLLOW UP QUESTION WITH REGARDS TO RESOURCES..Question was asked regarding resources, and that when we usually talk about resources, we talk about direct investments, and foreign debt, but what about plugging up all the holes, such as corruption, the kickbacks.  He answers that first we have to have an adequate estimate on how much corruption costs, but it does have leakages, but not as much as we think according to Teodoro.

He continues, the biggest leakages is the lack of budgetary support.  The revenue system, our tax collection.  And that in government financing, we have to plug leakages, but it's not that big compared to the capital investments needed..

He touches on IMF and Worldbank serving as watchdogs.

Excellent quote is

“You can have the best laid plans, but the devil is in the implementation.”

And it takes a good politicians to implement something like that.

Ends with quote: "I have faced wrath before, even though it was not my fault"

ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL

Teodoro and his wife were once supporters of The Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, but had changed their minds.  Essentially, according to Teodoro, the issue is that if our government should be our moral guardians when essentially it should be a personal choice.

"We know that The RH Bill will not pass", Teodoro said, so he asks what good is fighting for this bill when the problem continues to fester.

He says that population management is a problem because of limited viable land.

The government is not the right moral guardian, the debate should not stop there though.

He proposes that since the government is not the right moral guardian, and that the moral guardians themselves should be accountable, but if at some point, it is shown that the "experiment" is not succeeding, then the government should step in.

To use his own words, the government must not influence a choice, but must support a choice.

ON THE AWARDING OF CONTRACT TO HAWKER PACIFIC

The specific question for this was:

The Presidential air-wing has 3 Bell 412s, the helicopters used by presidential staff. The repair of these have been bided out and won by AAC, and is estimated to cost the government about a million US dollars. Why have you or the DND given the contract (through direct contracting) to Hawker Pacific?

His answer is straightforward, although, he may have lost cool on this one.  According to him, this is not under the Philippine air force, or under the DND, so this question is best addressed to The Office of The President.

REGARDING THE BUDGET DEFICIT

Because there is a need to fund a great many programs and services, and due to the still weak global economy, he will try to balance the budget by 2014.  And hopefully through certain measures, but the most important is confidence in our country, focus on peace and order, and a massive blast for tourism.

His answer, in my opinion greatly deviates from the question, but let's continue.

Also, once again, goes back to education, offering maybe foreign language in schools, which also addresses our tourism issue.

We must have some form of political stability for everything to work.  Naturally, we will have to have local government supervision.

With the deficit, it's a reality that we have to live with, but we have to be more productive..

But with regards to corruption, in is an aspect, but it is not THE aspect.  He shares what he has done in his own department, so if he can do it in his department, he can do it on a national level.

He says that the problem with corruption is that you have to provide incentive for good behavior.  Try to avoid people being tempted by building up their fortitude, building up their quality of life.. that can only be done very difficulty through public sector reform.

PLANS FOR THE OFWS

His basic view on this is that until we are able to build acceptable alternatives in the Phlippines, we have to try to build our country and economy so that there are opportunities for Filipinos to come back to.

It's a very difficult problem, he says even if we would like to keep them here, we cannot restrict them, so we must provide safeguards for them.

Regarding the question of a person languishing in jail, the only thing the government can do, according to Teodoro, is to ensure that their rights are protected.

ON PROPER BUDGET ALLOCATION AND WASTEFUL SPENDING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGU)

He will not impound any funding from the budget that is legally owed to The LGUs, but he says we should give incentives for good management of these funds

May support increasing the LGUs share from 40 percent as long as they can prove their capacity for less reliance on the national government for basic services, so that national government can concentrate on national infrastructure and national issues..

He says that here's no strong state in the world where national government still has to take care of basic services..

So that rather than prohibition, why not give incentives for good practices..

PLANS FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

He realizes we are a big consumer of rice per person.

He believes there's a big prospect for food security, if you clear conflict areas in Mindanao alone, and allow for farming in those areas, and provide adequate infrastructures.

But before that, he emphasizes that there should be stability in ownership of land.  He's okay with Agrarian Reform, but according to Teodoro, we must stop once implemented, because it is no longer reform if it continues, but it becomes a sort of government funded peasantry program.  We should support those who have already been beneficiaries of land, and provide avenues for them to be more productive.  So that the goal is financial freedom.

We must also be versatile in terms of being able to shift position of farmers, not only in terms of relocation when it is needed, but also in terms of options of livelihood.

ON THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY

Teodoro says that he honestly thinks that there has been no successful livestock industry here in The Philippines.  He does acknowledge with regards to this industry the need to find the right kind of livestock, and highlights both hog raising and poultry as well.

He proposes a concentration on hogs and chickens because he believes that there is demand.

VISION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OUR NATION, AND VIEWS ON NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND GAWAD KALINGA

He supports as much private sector participation as there can be.  But he emphasizes that affordable housing must be provided in concurrence with job opportunities, so that people can avail of government supported housing.

WITH REGARDS TO INFORMAL SETTLING

The problem is also a question of opportunities, but as a policy it should not be condoned.  It is a hazard.  And actually, with regards to this, Teodoro explains that we would have to physically relocate them and provide opportunities for them.. It must be controlled, it must be stopped..

There are several legal and constitutional rights of all to inhabit anywhere in the country.  He ends by acknowledging that it's a problem.

ON THE PERCEPTION OF GLORIA.. IF THERE IS A CITIZEN'S MOVEMENT TO PROSECUTE GLORIA, WILL YOU STOP US?

It's not a question if I want to or not.  It's that I can't.  Anybody has the right to do that.  Has to be done in the proper forum.  "I can't stop a determined person"

WHAT IS YOUR AGENDA REGARDING THE PEACE AND INTERNAL ORDER SITUATION

He will set conditions two conditions with regards to peace and order, and that is 1) that the primacy of the philippine constitution and the philippine government must be upheld at all times.  2) There must always be government presence in this conflict areas not only to protect but as a deterrent.

He contends that lack of soldiers and policemen is the reason we cannot follow up in these conflict areas.

Two glaring quotations came out of this part of the interview:

"But now, is there a solution to Mindanao?  I don't know.  I don't know.  It's up to the Mindanaoans to determine the solution"

"NOBODY CAN SAY HE HAS THE MINDANAO SOLUTION"

The Mindanao problem is not a problem of Christians and Muslims, according to Teodoro, but is a problem of many factors.  It's a problem of land ownership.  It is a state problem, specifically that the state cannot guarantee peace and order in the area.

He says that he can have the most complex solution, but would not be sure still if they would work.  Not even multilateral solutions may work, because if people don't want it to work, it won't.

"I'm not as ambitious as the others, I can't see that far ahead"

To paraphrase his answer would be this: peace and order first

ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

He stated that Environment Protection would be high on his priority list, because for economic development, we must have the infrastructure, and environment protection is also important in terms of protecting the places where people have to live, and should be ingrained into our public infrastructure program.   And in terms of what he has talked about with regards to tourism, Environmennt Protection is also part of that so that we can have sustainable tourism.

Without blinking an eye, he segued and moved towards the topic of mining which he quickly surmises the question was leading to.

He believes that mining is the one of the biggest potentials of The Philippines, however he explains that it is such a complex question. involving local and national policies and sentiments.  the communnity in the area of mining must be convinced of the fact of the benefits.  But there also has to be an honest to goodness exit plan.. which means leaving the area in pretty much the same condition prior the mining being done.

MY CLOSING THOUGHTS

My overall impression of Gilbert Teodoro is that of an eloquent speaker and certainly a bright individual.  And provided that the discussion was a little bit over an hour long, he did well to explain his side on some issues, but did leave me wanting just a bit more.

There were just a few questions, that could have simply been categorical, and I feel that he chose to evade and sidetrack some of these issues, when it came to the prosecution of Gloria, the awarding of the helicopter repair contract, and even the RH issue were some aspect that did not impress me.

However, his answers were impressive and left me realizing a few things, his excellent knowledge in terms of infrastructure planning, but lack of depth in terms of budgetary matters which were not elaborated on.  Corruption as almost a passing thought left me a bit disappointed too.

The overarching theme of many of Teodoro's answers is that of development of infrastructure and funding these developments through Foreign and Domestic Direct Investments.  A focus on the need to sell our country, in terms of tourism, and creating a better international image is something I'm sure everyone can be in agreement on.

I do realize, however, that while, he has elaborated much on the general aspects of these initiatives, there have been many aspects that he did not dwell much on a need for greater efficiency when it comes to the use of the budget, nor does he elaborate how he plans to implement a proper budget, kicking the can down the road until 2014 is also quite telling, but I'll leave the readers to comment on that.

Overall, that was as informative an hour long discussion could get, and the myriad of topics should have given us a better look at this candidate.

Nick is a Chemical Engineer who is passionate about The Philippines, politics, and the issues that involve our nation. He is the Editor-not-Chief of FilipinoVoices.com a social political blog.

Photos by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Podcast by creativoices.net. Some Rights Reserved.

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