The Philippine Online Chronicles

SO, where were the others?

The absence of some candidates in the presidential candidates’ forum on foreign policy, economy and other important issues held at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati City last January 14, 2010 was punctuated even more when former President Fidel V. Ramos commented towards the end of the forum : “Nasaan ‘yung mga iba?” (Where are the others?). Only three of the prominent presidential aspirants were present: Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Manuel Villar and former Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Ramos’ light-humored tirade elicited laughter from the audience. But with or without humor, certainly the former president’s observation was shared by the spectators present in the SGV hall, and perchance by everyone else who watched the live telecast on ABS CBN’s ANC Channel.

And indeed, where were the others?

According to sources, Senator Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, who reportedly has been dominating the top slot in surveys, was in La Union doing campaign sorties. La Union apparently, is one of the weak spots for Noynoy so understandably, he deemed his visit to the province as more important than the two-hour forum.

On the other hand, former (and ousted) President Joseph Estrada was likewise engaged in another appointment. According to the organizers of the event, Noynoy and Erap were invited to the discussion way back in October last year, but they did not accept the invitation.

Meanwhile the presence of the other two candidates – John Carlos ‘JC’ Delos Reyes and Nicanor Perlas who are both trailing behind their fellow contenders due to limited resources and lack of popularity would have been much welcome, if only they were requested to join. Yet invited or not, JC, like Erap and Noynoy must be somewhere else during the forum, trying to win more support. Nicanor Perlas on the other hand who was facing a disqualification suit was possibly more focused on the anticipated decision of the Commission on Elections on his case. Incidentally, an hour before the forum started, the word floated: Nicanor Perlas was back in the presidential race, as per Comelec pronouncement. It must be a welcome development for Perlas’ camp of supporters. It was just too bad the decision came in late for him to warrant an invitation to the forum.

And what did the candidates say at the forum?

As to who were or were not in attendance becomes immaterial now as the forum is over and done and what should be focused on at this time is the responses from each of the three candidates on the five major issues around which the discussion revolved.

Firstly, the debate was organized by the Carlos P. Romulo Foundation in cooperation with ABS-CBN’s ANC News Channel and the Asian Institute of Management to try to find out the policies and programs of the candidates (if elected President) regarding five major issues, herein quoted, to wit:

1. The Maguindanao massacre and the wider challenge of peace in the Philippine South – If elected President, what policies and programs will the candidate pursue to stop the problem of private armies, resolve the conflict in Mindanao and Sulu, and bring stability and development to the region?
2. Philippine foreign relations and international security – What significance does the candidate attach to Philippine relations with the world, what countries and regions are the most important, and should the nation be involved or not in the international struggle against terrorism?
3. Philippine economy and international economic relations – What policies will the candidate adopt to strengthen and grow the national economy, expand foreign trade and investments, and what importance does he attach to key economic organizations such as WTO, IMF, WB and APEC?
4. Migrant workers – What policies will the candidate adopt with respect to Filipino labor migration, the welfare of OFWs, Philippine relations with labor-receiving countries, and international conventions for the protection and rights of migrant workers?
5. Philippine competitiveness in the world – What specific policies and programs will the candidate adopt to reverse the erosion of Philippine international competitiveness in the world and address the problem of corruption?

The forum started promptly at 10 a.m. and was attended by foreign diplomats and representatives from foreign business sector as well as a few foreign news correspondents like CNN. Ricky Carandang of ANC News Channel acted as moderator while the question panel was composed of Ambassador Rodolfo Severino, head of ASEAN Studies Center, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; Amy Pamintuan, editor/columnist of Philippine Star and Jaime Floro Cruz, CNN Correspondent. Each panelist asked various questions based randomly on the five main issues.

As noted down by this writer during the discussion, here are some highlights from the responses of former Secretary Teodoro, Senator Manny Villar and Senator Richard Gordon:

On the Mindanao conflict issue, Teodoro gave emphasis on the need to strengthen military force in this region, noting that retirees create many vacancies which need to be replaced by regular troops. However he said that without adequate investment from the government, there is a deterrent and the problem is not actually addressed. Villar meanwhile pointed out that poverty is the root cause of the perpetual problem in Mindanao, as poverty index in this area must be decreased while more schools, hospitals and infrastructure must be built to foster economic development. At the same time, the military should be strengthened and peace process has to be given more focus. Gordon spoke of the consistency in governance, that there should be a dependable and unfailing policy in Mindanao to develop its wealth and prevent worse problems from happening.

As regards to foreign policy particularly on establishing relations with China as well as programs for Overseas Filipino Workers, Gordon said that as President, he will make sure the Philippines will engage China regularly. Villar recognized China as the biggest source for growth and thereby believes on reinforced relations with said country. Teodoro on the other hand mentioned that there are many aspects with which the country can interact with China, therefore maintaining economic and diplomatic dealings is in order if he becomes President.

Overseas Filipino Workers have equal significance to all three candidates as they unanimously affirmed that OFWs must be well taken care of by the government. According to Teodoro, Social Security System benefits must be reinforced and bilateral relationship with countries especially those that employ Filipinos should be established according to the Canadian model, such that there is parity of labor benefits, no employment costs should be demanded and those deployed for overseas work must be educated. Moreover, Teodoro said, support to OFWs should be strengthened by preserving the OWWA and gathering all resources to protect them.

Villar gave emphasis on the need to assist all Filipinos working overseas who are facing dilemmas of being taken advantage of and who want to come back home to the Philippines but have no resources or means to do so. The Senator lamented that the government has not been doing much to assist these unfortunate OFWs. He therefore cited his program of bringing back home all those who are stranded in foreign shores and let them have a fresh start in their homeland.

Gordon however made a different take in allowing Filipino workforce to go abroad. Believing in entrepreneurship, he said the government is not doing enough to develop ways to foster growth in the countryside so Filipinos can find opportunities to prosper in their own home country. “Find future in the Philippines”, he stated, adding that the government should make sure there is enough savings to help provide better future to Filipinos and build homes for them as well as provide insurance and take care of their retirement.

Overall, the presidential candidates’ forum provided a sneak peek on how each of the three candidates who were present in the discussion will run the country if he becomes President. At this point it can be said that Senator Villar, Senator Gordon and former Secretary Teodoro are consistent in their respective advocacies. Villar is for poverty eradication, Gordon pushes for self reliance and banishment of mediocrity and Teodoro believes in the idea that every Filipino should be a showcase of his own race and must act as a salesman of his own country so that foreign investors will come in. It was a smoothly conducted forum and by far efficiently conveyed to the Filipino electorate that the three candidates have definite platforms of government. As for the other candidates who were not around – well, hopefully there will be more forums to look forward in the coming days as the election fever heats up.

Photo by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado. Some Rights Reserved.

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