Gordon: Make “track record” the basis of votes

Banking on years of experience as a local executive, Presidential candidate Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon said that Filipino voters should consider the candidates' “track record” as the ultimate basis in choosing the country's next leaders.

Gordon and his running mate, former Metro Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, who call themselves “The Transformers,” sat down with the members of Blogwatch.ph on Thursday to discuss their platforms in governance and plans for the 2010 elections.

One of the questions raised during the forum was about the tandem's supposed negative image, especially among the poor sector. Both executives have received both praise and flak for their leadership style and initiatives as local executives; Gordon in Subic and Fernando in Marikina City and the MMDA.

Fernando, who is often tagged “berdugo” and “Hitler” for his many clashes with sidewalk vendors and informal settlers during his stint in the MMDA, said that he does not mind the branding as long as the laws are implemented correctly.

“It's sad, the people who implement the law are called Hitlers. We are not lacking solutions, what we lack are people who will implement the solutions (law). We have done it all, we have the track record and the political will to do it,” said Fernando.

Gordon added, “You want enemies? Implement change, policies..."

When asked about their “Kamay na Bakal” (Iron-fisted) method of governance, Gordon said a true leader must be feared, and should not be the captive of their constituents.

“Dapat ang anak takot sa ama. 'Pag ang ama takot sa anak, sira ang pamilya. Ganun din ang lider. Dapat 'wag matakot sa tao.” (The child must fear his father. If it's the other way around, the family will be ruined. It is the same thing with leaders. A leader must not be scared of his people.)

Although Gordon admits that popularity can win votes, he believes that his experience and his “untainted” political record will serve as his strongest statement.

Despite lagging in recent preference surveys, Gordon maintains he is still the best choice for the highest elective post.

“Other candidates are either children of their parents, or new. I have a complete experience,” he said, an apparent broadside at another presidential candidate, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III whose parents were martyred senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino.

Aquino is the current survey frontrunner, followed by Sen. Manny Villar. Gordon is currently at number 5 in the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey. The vice-presidential race, on the other hand, is a close fight between Senators Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda. Fernando is currently at 4th place.

Seasoned executives

Before becoming a senator, Gordon was the mayor of Olongapo City for 13 years (1980-1993). He was also the founding chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

His style of leadership – which he claims he inherited from his father, James Gordon, the first elected mayor of Olongapo – was straightforward and firm. His constituents described him as demanding and “brutally frank.” Gordon was also branded as “diktador” because of the way he implemented rules in the city.

After the United States military left their bases in Subic in 1992, Gordon was credited for rebuilding Olongapo into a prime tourism destination. He became secretary of the Department of Tourism in 2001and launched the “Wow Philippines” campaign to invite more tourists and generate jobs. He is also current chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Like Gordon, Fernando was credited for the development of Marikina, where he served as chief executive until 2001. Under his administration, Marikina turned from a 4^th class municipality to a model Philippine city. Marikina was recognized as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the Philippines as well as the healthiest and most liveable in the Asia-Pacific.

His programs for the MMDA, however, were almost always met with criticism and protest. He initiated raids against sidewalk vendors and illegal settlers to prevent the obstruction of main roads. Fernando's pink-themed road projects were also criticized as propaganda for his electoral bid.

In spite of the criticism hurled against their chosen method for governance, the tandem is optimistic that the voting public will realize how much more they can still contribute to the country's progress if they win.

“We need strong political will to get things done. Wag kang pikon. Ang pikon talo. Have an open mind. Ako, I encourage criticisms,” Fernando said.

To his detractors who brand him as “diktador,” Gordon quipped, “I am not a dictator. I am just a good Dick... I am not a -tator.” Dick is Gordon's nickname.

“Bayani and I, we have done all that we can [in Subic and Marikina], we have the track record and the political will to do it[for the rest of the country],” Gordon told the bloggers.

“We are not a burden to our people. Ultimately, the Filipino voters would have to learn to select good officials to run this country,” he added.

Photo from http://mcoy.blogspot.com/2010/01/dick-gordon-and-bayani-fernando.html

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