May We Not Slumber

August 26, 2013, Heroes Day. In Luneta, as well as, in other parts of the country and of the world, people from all walks of life gathered: students from different colleges and universities, employees, OFWs, families, activists, tv personalities, professors, vendors, and all the ordinary people converging to a common goal. On that day, we vented out a demand to abolish the twisted pork barrel system and, ultimately, to change the nation.

                It is true that the protest wasn't that organized, as some people claimed—with different programs scheduled by different organizations— it, nevertheless, met its agenda: to show that we had enough! That we want change! Until this day, September 15, 2013, a series of mass movement have been organized to let the government know this demand (we are the “bosses” of the president anyway).

                September 13, Friday. I returned to Luneta for another rally noticeable was the well executed program that sustained the attention of those who attended. The program was initiated by various religious groups for a prayer. Too various speakers took the stage, sharing their sentiments, providing us with different points of view, of different perspectives on how corruption and the system robbed people of opportunities and abused their rights. Not to mention performances of artists: Darryl Shy, Didi Garcellano, Abra, Jesse Santiago and many more. The night was packed indeed. 

                But I wonder how much can we sustain this. As I look at the composition of the crowd last Friday, I asked myself how many would go to the next rally, and to the next, until the transformation in our society is actualized. What would sustain the flames which have belched forth during Heroes Day?             

                It is no secret that the Philippines have been rocked by seismic scandals: the ZTE deal, the Erap impeachment case, the fertilizer scam, the hello Garci recording, the Corona impeachment (the main accusation being was corruption). I am pretty sure that there is more I forgot to mention. But what have come about from these investigations? Everyone goes missing or under hospital arrest. The guilty lives in suites while the many have barely a roof above their heads. Come on! We are being made fool of.

                We saw time and again that these news are replaced the next day; from ZTE to Kris Aquino-Joey Marquez love foibles (if I recall correctly), and so on, until our collective memory of the issue is buried under rubble of information. My concern was such fate might also befall the Napoles case. Now, the problem is: THERE IS NO BIGGER CASE THAN THIS! If we sleep over this issue once more the nation might be anesthetized, and get used to it. Like the asinine traffic schemes implemented: we get used to it!

                And so, when this issue gets buried again, when our consciousness tires, would we ever awaken again? Because if we do not take action—if we just complain and not act!—if we slumber past this issue, like having rattled the termites from a tree, the schemes of corruption will take its grip even tighter, its roots will bury even deeper, more complex. Then they’ll resume siphoning not only the national coffers; they rob us not only of money but of opportunities to a better life, of a means to ever dream. The damage: bearing mark from generations to generations. Yes! In our sleep, the nightmares that haunted us as a nation will continue. The injustice that we have swallowed will forever choke us.

                Remember the proverbial saying, “what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.” The same could be said to corruption and the parasites in the government. May we be awake and continue to fan the flames that led us to Luneta!

Memories of Rain

When the rain comes we are born anew.  We take the form of sailors and pirates—captains of the seas! We are a one-man crew, our ships fashioned in paper, fully colored, with names, drawings of cannons and all. The seas we sail on are creeks and canals that have come to life with turbulent streams, even whirlpools. There we race and sink each other’s ships to the concrete bottom of our ocean.

I remember, all too well, a small pond would well up and we would find ourselves playing in its waters. If it had rained hard for days we would often catch fishes were we kept in ice plastics. We were, ever since, perplexed as to why catfishes and guppies managed to find their way there. Did they sprung out from nowhere? Maybe it grew from algae? Or maybe it drizzled from the skies along with the rains. There we managed to produce our own Darwinian concepts and our own story of evolution.

Among the many mysteries we—my sisters, cousins, and I—would always marvel in is to how the taste of champorado, monggo and tuyo, would taste a lot better during these times. Does weather have a direct effect on our tongues? We are also amazed on how our grandmother’s stories would sound even more enchanting as if her voice opens a portal into the past; this is especially true when electricity is cutoff and the rain lasted until the next morning.

True, I secretly long for the rain—especially during mathematics classes in primary and secondary education—where I whisper to the skies to bring the pall that will send us home. I am thrilled when it answers with a roaring thunder. My classmates and I would feign fear and bawl from the room sending our teacher to calm us down. Again, we see the bolts of lightning racing from the dark clouds and the explosion it would definitely ensue.  I know that heaven, in spite of the many unanswered wishes, still listens. Then the sound of school bell rings, nature has become our ally. Yes, how we love the rain!

However, the other month, in my volunteer work, I have talked to a kid who hated it. “I wish it never rained at all!” I thought he was kidding but his eyes seem to be gazing into depths of some morbid memories. The smile painted on my lips is gone. 
When I asked why, he said even before Ondoy, a simple rain would bring the flood water into their homes that immobilize them for days. He recalled the time when all of their belongings were swept by the flood and had to begin from scratch again. They would miss school for days and eventually returning back to the same grade the next year. His neighbors experienced even worse, as they helplessly watched loved ones gobbled by the dark water flood never to return.

Disease brought by the rain and their living conditions took toll on them too.  A brother could die from a variety of diseases such as dengue and leptospirosis, not that it is incurable, but because they have nothing to pay the hospitals with; public hospitals may come with minimal expenses for medicines and other services but still out of reach for the many who are poor.

Inevitably, he and his brothers were pushed, rain or not, to work—collecting mussels, scavenging in the garbage, usually referred to as kalakal, and many other odd jobs—to be able to live and provide for their family.  In the words of that kid, “The rain can be cruel!”

This is the paradox between our memories and our experiences. That while I long for the rain because of the merriment it brought us when we were kids is also the same rain that spells nightmare, even doom to others. In a way, this perceptual difference symbolically represents the gap among us, Filipinos, as well.

The story of the kid I met is not unusual in a country such as ours. It is a shared reality by anyone living in the clutches of poverty. It shows us how the many of us, who mostly live in dire conditions, suffer the most even by the minutest change of weather.

I know I cannot fully comprehend the gravity of hardships they encounter during times of calamity and in their everyday living, words would simply fall short. But it strengthened a belief in me that we need to unselfishly work together, as Filipinos, towards a single dream in improving the quality of living.  Too, along with the nourishment of basic human needs—clothing, shelter, education, food—a definitive change in perception would ensue once these were addressed. And that even the simple comforts life could give, like the soothing drops of rain may also be enjoyed by others either through play or in quiet slumber.

For that kid, summer cannot contain the rain. It will definitely come. But one day, as dreams are forged in unity, and as this nation awakes from its centuries of apathy, maybe one day you’ll come to embrace it. Then, together, witness the promise of rainbows that every rainfall brings. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll come to love the season that brings it!

Never too Late to Know Your Senatorial Bets

The dawn before election. As people are preoccupied making final thoughtof names to support a little information and education is never too late. TheMovement for Good Governance has made a profile of our 2013 senatorial betsbased on four points: effectiveness, empowering, ethical and platform. Simplyput it the items for effectiveness are the abilities (education, awards,etc.) and track records of the candidates (also listed is absenteeism). Empoweringis the “candidate’s ability to unite and engagestakeholders to develop and implement policies and programs that meet genuineneeds of the populace”. Now, the items for ethicalgives light to the character and integrity of thecandidate. In addition, platformitems are the attested focus and advocacy of the candidate which they would, most likely, sponsor. Note that we can compare this to what they have already done.

Along with the MGG scorecard one could actually rate the candidates andmake their decisions based on these. Although the list may be impartial thereis still enough time to think who we cast votes and seat for the coming yearsthat may spell difference between progress from peril. Below are the list fromMGG’s website:

CANDIDATE:LORNA REGINA “Loren” LEGARDA

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        TOWNS and TOYM awardee

·        BS in Broadcast Journalism, UP; MA in NationalSecurity, NDCP.

·        Principal Author: Climate Change Law, Magna Cartafor Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Act, Anti-Domestic Violence Act,Anti-Child Labor law, Expanded Senior Citizens Act; Universal Newborn Hearing,Screening and Intervention Act of 2009; Barangay Kabuhayan Act; Clean Air Act,Phil Tropical Fabrics Law; Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act; Phil. Ear ResearchInstitute Act

(source: Rappler)

·        Present for 81 days out of 94

EMPOWERING

·        Founder, Luntiang Pilipinas – nationwide urbanforestry program, planted 2 million trees in

33 provinces and 28cities

ETHICAL

·        Catholic Mass Media Hall of Fame; KBP Golden DoveAward, Gawad CCP

·        PDAF spent on construction of schools.

·        Signed the resolution clearing Villar on his disorderlybehavior re-C5; teamed up with Villar; a turnabout of her previous positionvoting to oust Villar as Senate President (source: Vera files, “PoliticalProstitution” by Ellen Tordesillas)

PLATFORM

·        Education

·        Health care

·        Improvement of working

conditions of ourFilipino

workers

·        Safer and disasterresilient

communities

·        Environmental protection

·        Cultural preservation

CANDIDATE: FRANCISJOSEPH “Chiz” ESCUDERO

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        TOYM Awardee in Youth Leadership

·        UP Law; MS International law, GeorgetownUniversity

·        Main sponsor of laws on Subsidiary Imprisonment, DecriminalizingVagrancy; Phil. Red Cross Charter; Holiday for the Observance of Eidul Adha;International Humanitarian Law; Anti-Image Voyeurism Act; Judiciary Retirement Benefits

·        Chaired Committee on Justice and HumanRights—passed all 281 bills on additional trial courts (15^thCongress)

·        Chaired Committee on Environment and Natural resources(heard 300 bills and resolutions)

·        Opposed sin tax law (he is against new taxes-Bus.Mirror, Nov. 24,2012)

·        for decriminalizing libel

·        Present for 91 days out of 94

·        Voted in favor of RH bill

·        Present for 91 out of 94 days (among those withtop attendance)

EMPOWERING

·        PDAF spent for school buildings, cooperatives, solardryers, medicine, sports equipment, public markets.

ETHICAL

·        Bolted NPC because of refusal of Danding Cojuangcoto fund his planned presidential campaign (source: Rappler)

·        Among those who pushed for the impeachment ofthen President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

·        Relatives in government: Sorsogon Vice Governor AntonioEscudero (uncle), Vice Mayor in Casiguran, (Uncle) Councilor Hatoc in Casiguran(uncle); Councilor Escudero in Casiguran (uncle) (source: Rappler)

CANDIDATE: ALAN PETER CAYETANO

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        BS Political Science, UP; Law degree, Ateneo deManila, 2nd honor

·        As chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, heled the probe into controversies involving Arroyo’s close allies such as theNBN-ZTE deal and the fertilizer fund scam.

·        TOYM Awardee in the field of government andpublic service in recognition of his valuable efforts in advocating public accountabilityand transparency.

·        Main sponsor Anti-camcoding Act; national BookDevelopment Trust Fund; University of the Phil. Charter of 2007

·        Present for 68 days out of 94 days, late 19 times(claimed official mission for 23 days)

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        Questioned appointment Chief Justice Renato Coronaamid an appointment ban

·        Signatory of the impeachment complaint againstPres. Estrada.

·        Relatives in government: Sen. Pia Cayetano(sister); Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano (wife); Barangay Fort Bonifacio Barangay ChairLino Cayetano (brother).

PLATFORM

·        Public accountability and transparency

CANDIDATE: GREGORIO “Gringo” HONASAN

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        PMA and MPM at Asian Institute of Management

·        Principal sponsor: Freedom of Information Act,2012; Clean Air Act of 1999; Sponsor, Qualification Standards in the Appointmentof Uniformed Personnel to BFP and BJMP; Education Requirements for Promotion inthe PNP; Strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program; Revised FireCode; Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives

·        Present for 91 days out of 94

EMPOWERING

·        Proposed a Mini-Marshall Plan for Mindanao tohelp jumpstart economic development, peace and order, and political unity.

ETHICAL

·        Helped in plotting a mutiny against President Marcos

·        Led 2 unsuccessful coup attempts against the CoryAquino Administration

·        Accused of masterminding the 2003 Oakwood Mutinybut case was dropped by a Makati Court.

PLATFORM

·        Environment

·        Social reform

·        National security

·        Peace

·        Good governance

·        Youth

·        Education

CANDIDATE: ANTONIO “Sonny” TRILLANES

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        PMA & UP Open University) MPA graduate

·        Present for 42 days (detained for 49 days), late 12times

·        No information on principal sponsorship butCo-author of Archipelagic Baselines Law; Immediate Release of Retirement ofGovernment Employees; Salary Standardization Law 3; PAGIBIG Fund Law; MagnaCarta for Disabled Persons; Cheaper Medicines Act; Philippine Coast Guard Law; TourismAct; Military Service Board Act; PNP Education and Promotions Act; ExpandedSenior Citizens Act; Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management SystemAct.

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        Pushed for the enactment of an "anti-epalbill" or a measure that seeks to eradicate the unethical practice amongpublic officials of claiming credit for various public works projects funded bytaxpayers' money.

·        Was among the key officers who led the OakwoodMutiny and standoff in Peninsula Makati to protest corruption in the militaryand the Arroyo administration.

·        Reported by COA to be top spender in Senate 2011:28 million for office operations; 17m for staff salaries and 7 million MOOE.

PLATFORM

·        Anti-corruption measures

·        Police and civil service reforms

·        Education

·        Health

·        Environment

·        Energy

CANDIDATE: AQUILINO MARTIN “Koko” PIMENTEL, III

STATUS:Re-electionist

EFFECTIVE

·        Studied Math and Law at Ateneo de ManilaUniversity

·        Bar topnotcher

·        Law Professor at FEU Co-author, Foster Care Act (onlyproclaimed in August 2011)

EMPOWERING

·        Launched the Kontra Pandaraya Movement to fightelection fraud and other forms of cheating and scams.

ETHICAL

PLATFORM

·        Principled politics

·        Clean, honest, and credible elections

·        Local autonomy

·        Environment

·        OFWs

·        Youth

·        Justice

CANDIDATE: RICHARD "Dick" GORDON

STATUS:Returning Candidate

EFFECTIVE:

·        Principal author of the National Tourism PolicyAct of 2009 or Republic Act 9593, Automated Elections System (RA 9369), and Veteransbill which lifted prohibition of Filipino veterans to claim compensation fromUS and Philippine government

·        Served as Tourism Secretary responsible for theWow Philippines campaign which reversed the negative growth of tourism due toSARS, Oakwood mutiny and kidnappings

·        As Olongapo City mayor for 13 years, hetransformed the city to a “model city" in waste and traffic management

·        SBMA chairman responsible for attracting foreigninvestments like FEDEX, ACER creating 200,000 jobs

·        Chairman of Philippine National Red Cross.

EMPOWERING

·        As SBMA chair, led civic spirit volunteerism todevelop Subic after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

ETHICAL

·        Several relatives in politics: wife, brother,cousins

·        Dual role as a politician and Red Cross Chairman

·        Opposed imposition of martial law in Mindanao andamendment of the constitution through a Constituent assembly

PLATFORM

·        Education

·        Agriculture

·        Enhancement of tourism

·        Information technology

·        National defense.

·        Sees himself as a transformational leader whowill instill a culture of discipline in the country.

CANDIDATE: RAMON "Jun" MAGSAYSAY JR.

STATUS: Returning Candidate

EFFECTIVE

·        Headed the investigation on the fertilizer scamof the Arroyo administration and demanded accountability and good governance

·        Sponsored Agriculture and Fisheries ModernizationAct and Anti Money Laundering Law, · Mechanical Engineering from DLSU and MBA from HarvardBusiness School and New York University

EMPOWERING

·        Introduced the concept of strategic agriculturalzones for the farmers and cooperatives to harness their agricultural activitiesand the provision on model farms, which gives landowners the option to enterinto management contracts with corporate entities for high-end quality productionthrough up-to-date technology

·        Vice Chairman, Work a Year with the PeopleVolunteer Doctors’ Program with Sen. Manglapus

ETHICAL

·        Generally respected for 12 years of service tothe Senate which are untainted with scandal or controversy.

PLATFORM

·        Anti Dynasty measures

·        Attracting investments in provinces

·        Good governance

CANDIDATE:ERNESTO “Ernie” MACEDA

STATUS:Returning Candidate

EFFECTIVE

·        50 years of experience in government, 3 terms inthe Senate and 5 Cabinet positions, Senate President and Ambassador to US

·        Sponsored laws that granted Christmas bonus to employees,increased wages, lowered of majority age from 21 to 18, banned mail orderbrides

·        Bachelor of Laws, Valedictorian, Ateneo de Manila;Master of Laws with Distinction, Harvard University

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        Called “Mr. Expose” but accused of using Senate inquiriesto harass political rivals (source: Rappler)

·        Branded by Mayor A. Lacson as “so young and so corrupt”(source: Rappler)

PLATFORM

·        Review of sin tax law and law on reproductivehealth;

·        Encouragement of SMEs

·        Incentives to foreign investor

·        More spending on Infrastructure.

CANDIDATE:MARIA ANA "Jamby" MADRIGAL

STATUS:Returning Candidate

EFFECTIVE

·        Senator from 2004-2010, authored the Anti-Child PornographyLaw; Magna Carta for Women; Tubbataha Reefs National Park Act

·        Degree in Economics and French, Sta. Clara University,California

·        Accused Sen. Villar of corruption by double-fundingthe construction of C5

EMPOWERING

·        Before entering politics, she headed foundations thatpromote child awareness and education

·         Founder,Books for Barangays

ETHICAL

·        Unafraid to be popular and speaks her mind out; clashedwith Sen. Villar, Cayetano, Sen. Enrile and her own relatives

PLATFORM

·        Environmental protection

·        Women and children

CANDIDATE: JUAN MIGUEL “Migs” ZUBIRI

STATUS: Returning Candidate

EFFECTIVE

·        Worked for the passage of Renewable Energy Act of2008, the Biofuels Act of 2006; Wildlife Conservation Act, Organic AgricultureAct

·        Perfect attendance both as Congressman andSenator

·        BS in Agri-Business Management, UPLB; Masters inEnvironment and Natural resources Management, UP-Open University

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        Resigned after a series of exposes on election cheatingin 2007, and days before the Senate Electoral Tribunal proclaimed Sen. KokoPimentel as winner

·        One of the 6 Spice Boys who worked for the impeachmentof Pres. Estrada; now running as Senator in Pres. Estrada’s party.

PLATFORM

·        100 percent health coverage for the poor

·        Food for Schools program, i.e. free breakfast andlunch for school children

·        National land use and forest preservation.

CANDIDATE:JUAN EDGARDO “Sonny” M. ANGARA

STATUS:Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        TOYM awardee

·        3-term Congressman

·        BS Economics, London School of Economics; Bachelorof Laws, UP, Master of Laws, Harvard

·        Chairperson: Committee on Higher Education

·        Authored 250 House bills, e.g. right of access toinformation, assistance to students and teachers in private education, comprehensivestudy now-pay-later program

EMPOWERING

·        Partnered with various academic and socio-civic groups,such as Gawad Kalinga, the University of Asia and the Pacific, the Universityof the Philippines, GILAS-Ayala Foundation, Rotary Clubs, the Federation ofFilipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to meet the needs of his constituentsin Aurora

ETHICAL

·        Relatives in Government: Senator Angara (father);Aurora Governor Bellaflor Angara (aunt); Aurora Mayor (uncle)

·        Used the funds allotted to his office to buildover 100 classrooms, and provide funds for indigent constituents in 12 governmenthospitals and hundreds of scholarships to deserving students at various stateuniversities and colleges (SUCs).

PLATFORM

·        Aims to institute reforms to make educationaccessible to more Filipinos, as well as improve the quality of the country’seducational system.

CANDIDATE: TEODORO “Teddy” CASIÑO, JR.

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        BA Sociology, UPLB

·        3-term BAYAN MUNA party list representative in Congress

·        Sponsored 224 bills, e.g. protection of whistle blowers,ensuring public access to officials records, compensation of martial lawvictims, regulating tuition fee in private colleges; removal of VAT on power.

·        Co-author of Public attorneys act, rentcontrolact, anti-torture act.

EMPOWERING

·        Spearheads BuyPinoy,Build Pinoy!, a grassroots campaign promoting the consumptionof Filipino-made products and the development of integrated, world-class Filipinoindustries.

ETHICAL

·        Worked for KMU and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan(BAYAN) as Secretary General

PLATFORM

·        Honest and excellent public service

·         Apro-Filipino economy

·        Adequate work and decent wages to the workers

·        Free land and subsidy to the farmer

·        Greater access to social services

·        Protect the environment

·        Advance the peace process.

CANDIDATE: ANA THERESIA “Risa” HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        Former Akbayan party-list Representative ;current chair of AKBAYAN

·         ABSocial Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University

·        Co-authored Cheaper Medicines Law, ComprehensiveAgrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law

·        Lobbied actively for the passage of the RH bill

EMPOWERING

·        Founded the Nuclear Disarmament Group

ETHICAL

·        Filed case against GMA for PCSO plunder raps

·        Filed impeachment complaint against former OmbudsmanGuitierrez

·        Human rights advocate

·        Fought against the abuses of GMA administration

PLATFORM

·        Bills on Anti-Prostitution

·        Gender Balance Bill

·        Students' Rights and Welfare

·        Training of barangay health workers.

CANDIDATE: JOSEPH VICTOR “JV” EJERCITO

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        AB Political Science, DLSU

·        TOYM awardee

·        Mayor of San Juan for three terms and led San Juan’seconomic boom; city is only 20 percent dependent on grants from centralgovernment and generates 80 percent of revenues from local sources.

·        Co-author participatory governance through CSO empowerment,mercury exposure information, local housing board, domestic workers act.

EMPOWERING

·        His TOYM award for 2007 recognized his provisionof affordable medicine for the poor, establishment of a city college andhousing for the very poor.

ETHICAL

·        PCIJ reported that he has an offshore account ina tax haven country, British Virgin Island

·         Relativesin government: Mayor of San Juan City, mother; Senator Estrada, brother

PLATFORM

·        Attune Educational Program to job marketpriorities

·        encourage investors in sectors that are fitted toFilipino skills

·        Priority Program and Funds for Full-ScaleMindanao Development

·        Developing Regional Educational Hubs

·        Align Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program towardsprograms that increase productivity and lead to job creation among the poor.

CANDIDATE: MARIA MILAGROS ESPERANZA “Mitos”MAGSAYSAY

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        Business Administration graduate, UP

·        3-term Congresswoman

·        Sponsor limits on forest lands in Olongapo;creating additional branches of Olongapo Regional trial Court; franchise for OlongapoElectric Distribution Co. (source: Rappler)

·        Voted against RH bill and sin tax law

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        Staunch ally of Ex President GMA-GMA appointedher 23 year old son to the SBMA Board without any work experience

·        One of the signatories of House Resolution 1109 callingfor a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution.

·        Two sons are running as Congressman and vice mayorof Olongapo

PLATFORM

·        Oversight function of the Senate and will conveneregular meetings with agency heads.

CANDIDATE: CYNTHIA AGUILAR VILLAR

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        Worked for the passage of legislations promotingthe welfare of women, children, and family such anti-trafficking of women andchildren, anti-violence against women, protection of children in the workplaceand the juvenile justice system

·        Worked for the passage 2 versions of the Senior CitizensAct in 2003 &2010.

·        Worked for the ladder-like system of educationand the distance-learning open university system for the benefit poor people tohelp them attain higher education

EMPOWERING

·        Served as chairperson of the CongressionalSpouses Foundation from 1998 to 2000. During her term, she built 11 regionalcenters for women who are victims of abuse.

ETHICAL

·        Owns Vista Land, the biggest homebuilder in the Philippinestoday, one of the companies said to have benefited from the controversial C-5road extension project where double funding was alleged

·        Succeeded Senator Villar as Congressman representingLas Pinas; was succeeded by son Cong. Mark Villar

·        Pres. Noynoy and Cong. Vilal are described as strangebedfellows

PLATFORM

·        Push for livelihood opportunities for the poor andpromote income opportunities for women

·         Willfile a bill that prevents colleges for not giving examination to students withunpaid tuition fees

·        Measures that punishes unjust abandonment of husbands.

CANDIDATE: JUAN PONCE “Jack” ENRILE, JR.

STATUS: Members of the Lower House

EFFECTIVE

·        Representative of Cagayan, 1998-2007;2010-2013

·        Former President and CEO of JAKA Corporation

·        BA, Christian Heritage College, California; MBA, PepperdineUniversity

·        Authored Kasambahay Bill

EMPOWERING

ETHICAL

·        One of top absentees in Congress; claims he is a changedman and would like to continue legacy of his father, Sen. Enrile (source:Rappler)

·        Was implicated in the deaths of Ernest Lucas and AlfieAnido; cleared by government investigators and denies involvement (source:Rappler)

PLATFORM

·        Food security

·        Credit card reform

·        Anti-monopoly

CANDIDATE: MARIA LOURDES “Nancy” BINAY

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Personal assistant of Vice President JejomarBinay (father) and Former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay (mother)

·        Bachelor’s degree in Tourism, UP

EMPOWERING

·        Trustee of several foundation for children whichgrant scholarships

ETHICAL

·        Relatives in government: Vice President Jejomar Binay(father); Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr (brother); Makati 2ndDistrict Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos (sister)

PLATFORM

·        Housing

·        Children’s welfare, tax deductibility ofpre-natal care tax, establishing more children’s hospitals or bigger wings ingovernment hospitals for children and more day cay centers.

CANDIDATE: JOHN CARLOS "JC" DE LOS REYES

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Councilor, Olongapo City

·        President, Intramuros Tourism Council, Departmentof Tourism

·        Managing Director, Barbara’s Food

·        Taught Philosophy at UAP

·        MPA, University of the Philippines

·        Law degree, St. Louis University

EMPOWERING

·        Organized barangay human rights action centerswhen he was a councilor

·        National animator of Solidarity Philippines to pro-activelyadvance the Social Justice Agenda of the Church

·        Executive Director of Breaking the Yoke of PovertyFoundation whose project is Jubillee homes for the Poor, a housing project for60 families

ETHICAL

·        Critic of opening casinos in Subic

PLATFORM

·        Prohibition of political dynasties

·        Abolition of the pork barrel system

·        Legislated gun control

·        Passage of the freedom of information bill

·        Opposition to the reproductive health bill

CANDIDATE: EDWARD “Ed” HAGEDORN

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Transformed Puerto Princesa City as a major eco-tourismdestination and model in environment protection, Hall of Fame Awardee for beingthe cleanest and greenest component city in the Philippines

·        Galing Pook awardee for Bantay Puerto, OplanLinis, Carabao, and Tractor Pool

·        Lowest crime rate In the country (source: Newsbreak)

·        Anti-Jueteng Czar during the Arroyoadministration and introduced the Small Town Lottery to replace jueteng

·        Studied in San Sebastian and UE but did notfinish college (source Rappler).

EMPOWERING

·        Mobilized the community for massive reforestation(more than 2,000 has.) and to guard against illegal logging and fishing

·        Partnered with rural banks to provide livelihood programsfor families.

ETHICAL

·        Newsbreak reported that he bought helicopterusing P23 million of public funds.

PLATFORM

· Environment

· Jobs

· Decentralization

· Renewableand sustainable energy

CANDIDATE: BENIGNO PAULO “Bam” AQUINO

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Management Engineering, Ateneo de Manila, Summa cumLaude and Valedictorian

·        Chairman, National Youth Commission, Arroyo Administration

·        Co-founder of Microventures-microfinancing CSO,Hapinoy developed a supply chain for sari-sari stores

·        TOYM awardee; Social Entrepreneur of 2011; Ten OutstandingYoung Persons of the World

EMPOWERING

·        Worked with small and family forms giving them trainingand access to financing

ETHICAL

·        Accommodated in the Liberal slate shortly afterhe was sworn in as party member

·        Member of the Aquino clan of Tarlac; relativeswho were Senators include Benigno Sr. Benigno Jr; Agapito, Teresita, Benigno III

PLATFORM

·        Jobs

·        Youth

·        Schools-to-jobs matching program

·        Improvement of the government’s conditional cashtransfer or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program

CANDIDATE: MARY GRACE “Grace” POE-LLAMANZARES

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Chairman of the Movie and Television Review and ClassificationBoard, spearheaded major changes:

(1) addition of TV rating “Strong ParentalGuidance”(SPG); (2) banned showing of films with excessive violence and sexualcontent in public utility vehicles; (3) Protection of child actors; (4)Incentives to independent filmmakers.

·        Pre-school teacher at Montessori School in US;

·        Procurement and Product Manager, scientificcompany in the US

·        COO and Treasurer, FPJ Film Company

·        BA Development Studies, UP; BA in Political Science,Boston College

EMPOWERING

·        Responsible for continuing the charitable causesof Fernando Poe Jr., which include support programs for victims of natural calamities,scholarships for the youth and medical assistance for the sick

·        As Kontra Daya convenor, engaged the COMELEC and otheragencies on major policies in the elections;helped unite various forces opposedto electoral fraud

ETHICAL

PLATFORM

·        Protection of children’s rights

·        Good governance

·        Poverty alleviation

·        Electoral reforms

·        Job matching program and loans for students

CANDIDATE: MARGARITA “Tingting” COJUANGCO

STATUS: Neophyte

EFFECTIVE

·        Master’s degree in National SecurityAdministration, two doctoral degrees in Philippine History and Criminology

·        Former Tarlac governor, 1992 to 1998

·        Former Undersecretary, DILG

EMPOWERING

·        Known for her work among Muslim communities

·        Participated in the peace talks with the MoroNational Liberation Front

ETHICAL

·        Kamag-anak, Inc., alleged deals and influencepeddling during the Aquino administration (Source:Newsbreak)

·        Allegedly supported Noy-Bi instead of Noy-Mar(Source:Newsbreak)

·        Filed a libel suit against Marites Vitug whocited an article that used the term “barter queen”

PLATFORM

·        Food

·        Peace and order

·        Public safety

·        Farmers’ welfare

May you be guided accordingly. And please help educate. This is how our vote may truly count!

You could also get these information at The Movement for Good Governance's website (http://mggphilippines.com).