JCM: Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Philippine Presidential platform of government which the country watches over once elected

Tony Velasquez (Moderator)

Follow up question from Senator Miriam, 15 seconds.

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
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In all these years, have you – you have been shaped by the elitist background from which you come and which you operate. Do you not think that the path has been too narrow to be able to be President of the Philippines?

	SECRETARY MAR ROXAS
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As Batman said, “It is not important how you came into this world, what is important is what you did with your life.” And my life……over the last 20 years has been a public record. You have been witness to many elements of my life as we worked together in the Senate, fighting for cheaper medicines, fighting the banks and the insurance companies for pre-needs protection for our people, fighting for economic opportunity through the JPEPA and other economic treaties, fighting for what is good and what is right. (1) My record stands for itself. It is not a question of how I came into this world, it is what I did with my life and how I dedicated my life to help my countrymen.

Karen Davila (Moderator): Our last pair, Vice president will ask Senator Grace Poe.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
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Senator Poe, is it not that you can still work even when you are not a citizen? (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). This is immaterial question. The mere fact that Poe herself went back to the country, worked as MTRCB Chair, senator, and now eyeing for presidential seat is already an indication that she loves her country more than the country where she took a pledge of allegiance. There are a lot of government leaders here in this country who did not take any pledge of allegiance but corruption remains in his/her heart even until his/her retirement period.

	SENATOR GRACE POE
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Sen. Grace Poe: Pardon? VP Jejomar Binay: You don’t need to renounce, be ashamed of being a citizen of the Philippines. You can still work even….you’re not a citizen, isn’t it? Tony Velasquez (Moderator): What is your question? VP Jejomar Binay: Isn’t it? Sen. Grace Poe: True? May I know your question? That’s it? VP Jejomar Binay: That’s already my question. Sen. Grace Poe: That’s true. But at that instances, I also thought of it, to be honest, with my family and not because of lack of love for the country, but because I thought of not detaching from my family. (1) A lot of the same situation can be spotted. Returned also here. Love of country does not diminish. (2)

Karen Davila (Moderator): Vice President, follow up. You have 15 seconds. Go ahead, please.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
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No. Because of your pledge of allegiance, you renounced it. You were ashamed of your citizenship as a Filipino so you could be an American citizen. Where in fact you can work there even you’re not an American citizen, is it not? (1)
COMMENTARY:
1). Taking a Pledge of Allegiance is not tantamount to be being ashamed of Filipino citizenship. Otherwise, these people who have been corrupt in the country since the beginning of their service as a public servant and who have been placing their hands on their heart while singing the National Anthem whenever there’s a formal event, can already be branded as citizens who love their country.

	SENATOR GRACE POE
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You know......okay, we have a law that’s being recognized. Our countrymen who left and eventually acquire other citizenship but dual here because they still love the country and do have a contribution. (1) To our country, I have no other intention but to survive with dignity together with my family, Filipino family anywhere in the world. It does not fade away, as I’ve said, you can remove Filipinos in the Philippines, but you can’t remove the Philippines in the heart of the Filipino. (2) What matters…what matters Mayor….I’m sorry, what matters Vice, I continue my love for the country. And those that we would like to happen. Truly I resided in different country. I’ve been able to see the things that should be employed here. (3) My perspective turns to be broader. I was not able to acquire priveleges there and missed something significant if I just remained here. (4)

Karen Davila (Moderator)

Our following segment for now is the so-called Fast Talk’.

To the candidates, you have 2 minutes. Tony and I have a lot of questions. You can answer this by yes or no, or if you would like clarify, one liner is enough.

This segment is just quick. If you wish to clarify on the next segment, you have a minute in a while.

We will begin with Vice President Binay. This is Fast Talk.

	VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY
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VP Jejomar Binay: I am really your favorite as number 1, isn’t it? It is noticeable though that you’re wearing blue. Karen Davila (Moderator): This is dark blue. VP Jejomar Binay: But still, it is blue. Karen Davila (Moderator): Fast Talk Sir. The first question, let’s start. Timer starts now. Would you put Mayor Duterte behind bars if given the opportunity to be a president? Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: I would….I would like to be recognized…. Karen Davila (Moderator): Yes or no first. VP Jejomar Binay: Huh? Personally, I will not bother on that. (1) Karen Davila (Moderator): Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: Huh? Karen Davila (Moderator): Okay. VP Jejomar Binay: I will not put him in prison. Karen Davila (Moderator): Would you continue retirieving the Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth if once elected as president? Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: Yes, if there still left. (1) Karen Davila (Moderator): Where did it go? VP Jejomar Binay: C’mon! We’ll find out. (2) Karen Davila (Moderator): Would you impeach Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales if you’re elected as president? Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: No, I’d like to be recognized as a healing president. (3) Karen Davila (Moderator): Would you abolish the private armed groups? Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: Yes, of course. Karen Davila (Moderator): Then why did you collaborate with Sajid Ampatuan who is one of the suspects of Maguindanao Massacre who endorsed you and you have indeed stood on the stage? VP Jejomar Binay: Countrymen, your reaction is saddening. You know, I endorsed Ampatuan. At that time, he was not yet indicted. (4) Karen Davila (Moderator): Are you in favor of a house-arrest for former president Arroy? Yes or no? VP Jejomar Binay: Yes! Yes, yes, as a matter of right – right to bail. (2) Karen Davila (Moderator): Give 3 names, sir, who can be your cabinets. Quickly. Top of your head. VP Jejomar Binay: Top of my head? Karen Davila (Moderator): Yes. VP Jejomar Binay: Gary Teves is there for Finance. Atty. Berberabe whose performance in Pag-ibig is excellent, Department of Education and Peter Favila. Peter Favila and Gary Teves both serve in…. Karen Davila (Moderator): All right. VP Jejomar Binay:...Cabinet Karen Davila (Moderator): Would you allow, sir, the new mines entrants in the Philippines? VP Jejomar Binay: That depends on what type is coming in. In here, it is timely that we distinguish responsible mining between irresponsible mining. If somebody would apply…..that would okay if it’s responsible mining. Karen Davila (Moderator): Two minutes are over. Tony?
COMMENTARY:
1). Previously, he said that if he becomes a president, he will put behind bars the child-killers and those who kill the poor....that he will make sure that the Davao Death Squad is punished, along with Duterte, who had admitted several times that he is the Davao Death Squad.[1] 2). P-noy say that Arroyo’s plunder case in connection with the P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund scam[2] is a non-bailable offense.[3] 3). When Marcos’ 21-year regime finally ended in the People Power Revolution of February 1986, it was reported that he siphoned off an estimated $5 billion to $10 billion.[4] The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said it has recovered over P170 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth from the Marcoses and his cronies from 1986 to 2015,[5] which means that there is still an enormous amount that is not recovered. Thus, it’s just conscientious to locate for these as these could help to pay the Philippine debt.

Tony Velasques (Moderator)

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago will be next here on our Fast Talk. You have two minutes. I will ask, now.

First question, did you already defeat cancer?

	SENATOR MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
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Sen. Miriam Defensor: I cannot say that I have defeated it but I stopped it. (1) Because cancer cannot be seen by your naked eye. It devours those beside. Now if the medicine is appropriate, they can be stopped and killed. They have died. (2) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Okay. Concerning the magic pill recommended by your sister, would you also recommend to BFAD to have clinical trials here in the Philippines? Sen. Miriam Defensor: Oh yes, if it passes the clinical – global clinical trial, definitely. I will even take steps to study whether government can subsidize this pill to those who cannot afford it. (3) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Okay. Was there an opportunity that you thought of using medical marijuana? Sen. Miriam Defensor: Never. Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Would you legalize medical marijuana in the Philippines? Sen. Miriam Defensor: That is a sliding slope. I'd have to say no, but I am open to convincing me that it can be effectively implemented. (4) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Mm hmm. Sen. Miriam Defensor: Only for those who are competent for it. Tony Velasquez (Moderator): What will be your husband’s role in your administration? Sen. Miriam Defensor: He should be in the house when I go home. Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Are you in favor of former president marcos’ burial in the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery)? Sen. Miriam Defensor: That would be better if we could have a referendum, I supposed. Majority’s decision will be followed. (1) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Mm hmm. Sen. Miriam Defensor: Opposition should be enough already. (2) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Would you still approve new mining contracts? Sen. Miriam Defensor: No because of excessive mining companies here. (5) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): Mm hmm….Would you already release former president Gloria Arroyo Arroyo from hospital arrest and transfer it to house arrest? Sen. Miriam Defensor: Oh yes, definitely. (3) Tony Velasquez (Moderator): All right. Thank you very much, Senator......Miriam.
COMMENTARY:
1). Libingan ng Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) as the word itself suggests that it is for the hero. An estimated $5 billion to $10 billion ill-gotten wealth and Martial Law which had violent effects to the economy and tranquility of the Filipino people are not acts of heroism. This is not being unforgiving but taking an appropriate action that matches the purpose. 2). She has been opposing corruption which is good, so opposing of Marcos’ burial to the Libingan ng Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) is not bad because the reason for prohibition is corruption than heroism. 3). Implementation of justice should be equal for the rich and the poor alike, the powerful and the weak. She has committed a plunder case so it’s fair for her to undergo the same justice system that ordinary people are going through.