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After the 9th State of The Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the July 27. ABS-CBN will ba having its third ANC Leadership Forum on the 28th of July with Senators Francis Escudero, Francis Pangilinan, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas II, as well as Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno as they give their own version of State of the Nation Address and what are their hopes and plans on the 2010 National Election.
Before the said event lets back track on the 2nd Leadership Forum last June 5, at University of The Philippines Diliman School of Economics. What has Loren Legarda, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Jejormar Binay and Bayani Fernando Jr.
Joseph Estrada
Political Affiliations: PMP-UNO (current), NPC, CAD
Vision of Governance: ‘Walang tutulong sa Pilipino kundi kapwa Pilipino.’
On his intention to run for president in 2010. “Wala po akong ibang iniisip kundi ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan at higit sa lahat… ‘yung mga mahirirap dahil si ERAP, mamatay, mabubuhay hindi makakabayad ng utang na loob sa mga mahihirap.”
On his real estate properties. “I’ve been a movie actor, a superstar for quite a long time…I made my earnings there. I invested a lot in real estate…Now, to cut the long story short, I have no more property. Because when I became president, I diverted it all to the corporation of the family… which I’m not included, okay?”
On the reproductive health bill. “Kahit pa noong panahon ni Marcos, gawa tayo ng gawa ng eskwelahan—kulang… Sa madaling salita, malaking problema ang ating population growth…we are creating potential prostitutes, potential criminals due to no fault of their own, because they were not given opportunities in life…Dapat mabigyan ng edukasyon. You (should) teach the mothers the right size of family that they can afford.”
On the Hayden Kho sex video scandal. “Dapat ‘tong si Hayden Kho, mabigyan ng advice. Dapat nilagay niya doon, ‘For Adults Only.’ Joking aside.. ako, tutol ako diyan. Dapat i-ban ang mga ganyan sa internet dahil it is corrupting the minds of our young people.”
Loren Legarda
Political Affiliation: Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)
Vision of Governance: “Tao muna, bago tayo.”
If she’s willing to run only as vice-president. “Kung ang tao ay merong kakayanan, merong puso na maglingkod, at mamahalin ang taong bayan, bakit hindi? Para namang hilo ang taong magsasabi na siya lang ang magaling na taong maaaring magbigay ng solusyon sa problema ng ating bansa.”
On her wealth. “I was born to a middle class family in Malabon. I’ve been working since I was 15 years old and—I’m not ashamed—as a commercial model, as a TV host, as a producer since I was 18. I’m 49 now. I’ve worked all my adult life and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
On the continuing migration of Filipino workers. “First of all there is nothing wrong with migration. Migration is part of globalization and we are mighty proud of our overseas Filipinos who have brought in billions and billions of dollars to keep our Philippine economy afloat. What is important is that we provide them with the social safety nets so that the problems that abound because of separation from families do not happen as a rule.
On the reproductive health bill. “I am against any form of abortion. But I am for an informed choice for the women of our country…It is important that the women are allowed to be able to make enlightened and informed decisions about their body. We must also do everything we can to bring down the level of maternal mortality. It is growing because of a lack of knowledge, lack of information.”
Jejomar Binay
Political Affiliation: UNO-PDP-LABAN
Vision of Governance: ‘To provide the people with opportunities for advancement, services they deserve and the chance to live with dignity.’
On his priority once elected president. “Ang advocacy ko is a strong local government…I sincerely believe when the barangay is progressive, your town or city will also be progressive. And if the town or city would be progressive, then the province would also be progressive. And when the provinces would be progressive, you’ll find a progressive Philippines.”
On corruption allegations against him. “Ang tatay ko taga-Bauan, Batangas. Ang nanay ko taga-Cabagan, Isabela. Ito ay mga bayan at lalawigan na ang laging sinasabi: masisipag at tsaka matiyaga sa hanapbuhay…If I was able to manage and administer—to make what Makati is now, siguro, yun namang management and administration style ko, pwede ko namang gamitin sa negosyo ko.”
On the most important quality in a Supreme Court Justice. “Eto hong magiging Justice natin, eh ‘yung kanyang gagawing desisyon ay kaya niya pong ipagtanggol sa Diyos at sa tao…Hindi ho ‘yung katulad ng nangayayari ngayon, maraming mga Justices, binabali ang tunay na provisions of the law dahil sa ang nangunguna, loyalty to and upon orders of the people in Malacanang.”
On corruption allegations against the Arroyo family. “I think Mrs. Arroyo will have to answer all of these accusations of graft and corruption. ‘Yun bang tubig na naging fertilizer, ‘yun ba hong ZTE… Bakit ho siya nagpunta sa China sa madaling araw na wala mang protocol…Eto hong mga isyu-isyu na mga milyon-milyong piso ang ginagastos tuwing dadating ang halalan. Kailangan humarap siya sa hustisya at ipaliwanag kung ano talaga ang nangyari.”
Bayani Fernando
Political Affiliation: Lakas-CMD
Vision of Governance: ‘For change to happen, order must be put first.’
On the reason behind his presidential bid. “Meron akong sinimulan 17 taon na ngayon. Sinubukan ko sa Marikina at nasubukan ko sa Metro Manila na sa tingin ko ay kasagutan sa mga maraming suliranin natin.”
On being the “richest” Marikina mayor ever. “Ang pinakapobre (mayor ng Marikina) ang aking ama, totoo ‘yon. Pinakapobre ang aking ama. Kaya ako ay nagsimulang pobre. Pero 25 years… Kamuntik ko nang makalimutang mag-asawa dahil sa naghanap buhay ako for 25 years.”
On why public money should be used in the elections. “Katulad ng Germany, hindi na gumagastos ang kandidato. Pati contributions from private individuals and firms hindi nila tinatanggap. It’s all government spending for the elections. Para wala nang babawiin ang sino man. Walang dahilan para bumawi.”
On the reproductive health bill. “I follow the precepts of my church. And so I am not for modern contraceptions (sic). But I’m for natural ways of limiting the number of children to affordable level.”
ANC will air the event live at 7 p.m. with replays on Studio 23 on August 1 at 7 p.m. and on ABS-CBN Sunday’s Best on August 2 at 10:15 p.m.
