By Anna Iglesias, Part 1 of 2
The packed venue for the Civil Society Dialogue with the 2010 Presidential Candidates on December 11, 2009 at the Asian Institute of Management clearly signifies the growing interest in and importance of fora for stakeholders to scrutinize each candidate’s platform, advocacies and position on issues.
Of the candidates invited to the forum, only Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Nicanor Perlas personally attended. Sen. Richard Gordon begged off, citing the ongoing budget deliberations. Sen. Benigno S. Aquino III, on the other hand, sent his campaign team instead.
Various organizations representing marginalized sectors of society fielded questions to the presidential aspirants about population and reproductive health issues, debt servicing, peace agenda, illegitimate loans, environmental issues and the rights of indigenous peoples, education, health and poverty reduction.
Brother Eddie Villanueva – “This world is too poor to buy my convictions and principles.”
Bro. Eduardo “Eddie” Villanueva, televangelist on leave and Presidential hopeful, was the first speaker at the Civil Society Dialogue.
The President of the Jesus Is Lord movement, with his own political party, Bangon Pilipinas, Eddie Villanueva “envisions a New Philippines that is governed by dedicated, God-fearing, righteous men and women who are willing to put God and country above everything else.” Eddie Villanueva believes in leadership by example and assures the people of a government that will be transparent and free from politicking.
Bro. Eddie fielded questions from representatives of various non-government and people’s organizations about a diverse range of topics that will confront any aspiring President.
He believes that the bulk of debt servicing should be used for developing human and natural resources. In addressing the related issue of illegitimate loans secured by the national government, he proposes “negotiations by the country’s diplomatic team with other countries regarding outstanding debt, which are also illegitimate loans.” In addition, he promises to seek the repeal of the automatic payment of loans clause under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Bro. Eddie offers to “implement a no-nonsense family planning program” to answer the clamor for a national population and reproductive health management policy and to form a committee to review comprehensively the proposed reproductive health bill pending in Congress. He is, however, vehemently against provisions that will provide for the “sex education of children.”
Outlining the blueprint of Bangon Pilipinas in addressing peace and security, Bro. Eddie proposes the formation of a Philippine National Commission for Peace Development and Progress – where he will “challenge rebel groups to submit legitimate demands – otherwise the government will declare war if necessary.” He is also of the opinion to “let the collective wisdom of the Filipino people prevail” in the proposed shift to federalism. As for calls for Charter Change, Bro. Eddie points out that “there is no real check and balances system in government.” Thus, he is open to a “genuine change in the Constitution for as long as its the manifestation of the collective will of the people.”
When asked about his stand on the construction of the controversial Laiban Dam, which involves the moving of four affected villages in order to address an impending water shortage to service Metro Manila, Bro. Eddie answered that he will order a “comprehensive and no nonsense review of all government policies.”
Bro. Eddie also endeavors to create a truth commission to investigate all injustices committed by anyone, including incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He intends to tap law enforcement agencies and the Commission on Audit to investigate the alleged fertilizer scam, the PIATCO controversy, and the NBN-ZTE deal, among others. He intends to create and appoint a Undersecretary for transparency and accountability affairs to handle this. Finally, he aims to “transform the Philippines as the retirement capital of the world.”
To be continued