The Philippine Online Chronicles

We had a Blog Watch Blogger session with Nacionalista Party spokesperson and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla last Thursday. It was held at the ROC (Restaurant of Choice) at the UP Bahay ng mga Alumni. Gilbert was peppered with varied questions ranging from the environment, C5, Villarroyo, and even Air Force 1. This article though will focus on his priorities if he gets elected to the Senate.

Question: What are three projects or priorities that you will promise us that you will do in the Senate that we will hold you accountable for after your first term?

Question: What are three projects or priorities that you will promise us that you will do in the Senate that we will hold you accountable for after your first term?

Entrepreneurial Revolution
The first program that Gilbert mentioned was a "murang pautang" that would help spur entrepreneurship in the country. This will be done through various government bodies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, GSIS, SSS, etc.

During the discussion, Gilbert shared that micro finance and small businesses  were actually the topics of the shows that he used to host when he was still in ABS-CBN.

The SK System Abolished
Another priority for Gilbert is the abolitions of the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) primarily because it's not really optimized and it becomes a breeding ground for corruption. Gilbert is proposing that we have another system created that's really centered on the youth and it will be under the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Two more years for Basic Education
This is maybe one of his more controversial priorities. Gilbert wants to add two more years to the basic education system in the country. This means that we will shift from the current 10 year model to 12 (then 4 years for college). Gilbert shares that the Philippines is one of the few countries remaining with a 10 year system and all other progressive and developing countries have already moved to the 12 year model.

Personally I don't think we should shift to the 12 year model until we uplift the current status of the 10 year model. The problem isn't the years, the problem is the system. Education just isn't getting enough budget for us to be globally competitive.

So where do we get the money?
This is where Gilbert makes a lot of sense. Apparently our tax collection every year is just around 12% of GDP. Other countries in this region are at 17%-20%. An improved tax collection system will go a long way in helping this country move forward (that and you try to lessen corruption).

Over-all I was impressed with Gilbert. He strikes me as a very principled peson. We need more young blood in the Senate. I can't say 100% that ill vote for him yet but he's definitely on my shortlist.

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