Exactly one week from today, on May 10th, Filipinos will cast their ballots. We will be making one of the most important decisions in our life. We will be choosing the future leaders of our country. Meaning we are making a stand as the future of our family relies on it.
I had the privilege to meet most of our candidates through Blogwatch. Now, I have decided who to support and I’m sharing with you my personal list of candidates to support this upcoming 2010 Philippine elections. I believe they are the best people to lead us to a better Philippines.
Senator Dick Gordon has a track record to prove that he not only deserves the presidency. but us, Filipinos, deserve a president like him.
Dick Gordon has so much achievements in his name that I know I won’t be able to write them all in this article. But one thing is for sure, the great factor pushing Gordon in achieving those things is his love for the Filipino people. He has gone to great lengths to make sacrifices so that everything he has touched has made a difference in the lives of the Filipino people.
At a young age, Dick Gordon became a lawyer & then became mayor of Olongapo City. Even before all of this, he has had experience in the corporate world, successfully holding a position with Procter & Gamble as brand manager. He would later utilize this expertise as Tourism secretary & transforming that department & branding the Philippines as a great tourism destination.
Olongapo City Mayor
During Dick Gordon’s three terms as the mayor of Olongapo City, he transformed “sin city” to a model city, by implementing key programs and focusing on major policy initiatives. By focusing on police accountability, he was able to ensure the safety of the citizens of the city as well as maintain high level of confidence in the police force. He was also instrumental in the improvement of transportation, as he ensured that measured such as the strict implementation of color coding be followed.
His administration during his three terms not only focused on safety and transportation, but also on proper health and sanitation as well as waste management. Key focus on the cleanliness of Olongapo city was also a great reason why the citizens gave him the votes to continue in making the city a “model city”.
Chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, 1992-1998
When faced with an overwhelming problem, Dick Gordon has been able to step up to these challenges. This was evident when back in 1992, the prospects of the Americans vacating Subic would become a reality, and that meant the loss of jobs and revenues. All of a sudden, Gordon had to shoulder the burden of finding a way to makeup for the millions of dollars in lost revenue, not to mention the thousands of jobs that would be lost.
Gordon quickly pushed for the creation of the Subic Special Economic Zone, and was successful in this advocacy. He became Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman, and was able to gather and woo investors. Not only was he able to convince investors, but also Fortune 500 companies, because of his leadership and his ability to communicate where Subic was headed. The result was a staggering $2.1 Billion of investments and around 200,000 jobs created during his term as chairman of the SBMA. Subic Bay, to this day, remains a model of turnaround from one source of income and jobs, to a totally different and sustainable model.
Secretary of Tourism, WOW Philippines
Who doesn’t know about WoW Philippines, and its great initiative in the promotion of tourism in The Philippines? Under Dick Gordon, despite the challenges that the Philippines faced because of terrorism, kidnappings, bombings, and political unrest, the Wow Philippines campaign was still able to boost tourism during his time as Tourism Secretary. His Mantra is, “tourism means jobs; where tourism advances, poverty retreats.†And indeed, during his terms as secretary of tourism he was able to affect change in the department but mostly by marketing the Philippines in the international arena, he was able to even garner awards because of the Wow Philippines campaign.
The WoW Philippines campaign was able to win awards and recognition at the ITB Berlin Convention, the leading Travel Industry Think Tank, as well as the World Travel Market (WTM) which is Staged annually in London and is the premier global event for the travel industry.
Due to the great media campaign waged with Wow Philippines, and the tireless efforts of Gordon, tourism indeed increased, and we saw a glimpse of how tourism could affect a positive change in the world views of the international body.
Red Cross
There is no other presidential candidate, or even any other public official with the vast experience that Dick Gordon has when it comes to disaster preparedness, providing relief effort, and initiating humanitarian and even first aid relief to the families and individuals affected by natural calamities and internal unrest in conflict zones. In a nation that has known decades of internal fighting with warlords, terrorism, and extremists elements, including the fighting that still continues with the military and rebel groups, it is important to realize that experience in this area is highly needed. Dick Gordon can positively say that he has such an experience.
With over 40 plus years as a volunteer with the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), as well as being the governor of the PNRC since 1986, he has overseen and coordinated on many disasters as well as lead humanitarian efforts on a great many events during his decades being part of the PNRC.
The flash floods of Ormoc, the killer earthquake in Cabanatuan, the Pagoda Fluvial Parade tragedy, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, super typhoon Didang, and even the collapse of Guzman Technology institute, he was instrumental in the operations and rescue efforts in these tragedies. His management and leadership, and great heart has touched a great many lives during his years at the PNRC.
From coordinating the efforts and even being on the ground personally during the efforts for Typhoon Reming and Typhoon Senyang back in 2006, he has shown time and again why in these tragic moments, he is able to keep a level head and manage a great amount of resource, a vast network of volunteers and staff to get things done.
Even in the recent Typhoon Ondoy, where we saw massive floods, displacement, not to mention many families being affected, Dick Gordon was instrumentel in providing logistic support, disaster relief, aid relief, as well as providing great leadership in a time of great calamity
He also realizes the importance of equipping the citizenry and in 2006, launched Project 143, I Love Red Cross, to train communities to be self-reliant and ready in the face of calamities and typhoons.
Senator Gordon (2004-2010)
As a Senator, Dick Gordon has kept his focus on key issues that he believes will uplift the Filipino people. His legislative record is long, and his participation in Congress is almost limitless. In his first half of his 1st term as Senator, he authored 79 bills and 29 resolutions. The second half was even more impressive as he was able to author 106 bills and 56 resolutions. He has made it a point to focus his legislative efforts on political reform, justice, job creation, education, and disaster preparedness.
He has been able to pass numerous bills as well, a true testament to his leadership in getting support from his fellow lawmakers. He has passed the holiday economics bill in order to spur domestic tourism, employment and socio-economic growth. And he was even able to pass the new automated elections system law for fast, accurate, and credible elections.
The contribution of Dick Gordon as a legislator is immense, varied, and important. He has been able to push for Republic Act 9367, the biofuels Act of 2007. And in terms of taking a lead on a great many committees, he has been chairman in important committees such as (i) constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws (ii) Government corporations and Public Enterprises (iii) Tourism. He knows the importance of government in helping alleviate the problems and issues that plague our nation. This is why he has pushed for the Renewable Energy Act, the Magna Carta of Women, as well as the Act Penalizing Violations against international humanitarian law.
He knows the importance of tourism, which is why he also passed the Tourism Act of 2007 which provides for the strengthening and formation of Tourism Enterprise Zones.
Indeed, he has transferred his vast expertise and knowledge as Mayor of Olangapo, Governor of the PNRC, and even Tourism secretary and has put it to excellent use as a Senator. We could go on forever in terms of his accomplishments as a legislator, but the most important thing to take away in his 6 years of service as a Senator is that he has been a man of action and a public servant that is diverse and able to tackle a great variety of issues that are important for our nation and for our people.
In a blogwatch event, I asked Dick Gordon about our long conflict with our Muslim brothers. My question exactly was this:
“You have said in past forums, that one of the first steps of solving the Mindanao problem and the conflicts that arise in that region is to understand our Muslim brothers and sisters. In your years of service, and in going to Mindanao, do you yourself understand their situation? What is your understanding then, and what can you convey to the rest of The Filipino nation, and to us today, so that we can start this process of solving this long conflict in the south?“
His answer was this:
First of all, it’s not Mindanao but it’s the Muslim situation. so Mindanao is okay, it’s just a certain portion of Mindanao that you have a problem with. And I didn’t say just understand it, but I said respect, understand and accept. You know, you have to respect our Muslim brothers, principally because even before the Spaniards came, they were already here.
And when the Spaniards came here, they asserted their character.
Lapu lapu, Sorogan, Sultan Kudarat, they were never beaten by the Spaniards except for Sultan Kudarat for awhile. So, when I look at it, I pay respect to that. [And realize that the Muslims came before the Spaniards]. Lapu-Lapu is the 1st Asian to beat the colonial invader, he is both Tausug and Visayan.
So you have to accept also their ways. Remember that the Islamic culture is one of the most fantastic culture in the world. They brought us algebra, they brought as a lot of things, designs. And they influenced Spain for that matter. The patios, all these arches that you see. The churches are even influenced by them. Design, even dresses. That’s really part and parcel of the Muslim people.
Now when you look at our Muslims here, they were marginalized, because when Spain came here, they discovered, “oh, it’s the Muslims again, it’s the Moros again”. They call them Moros in Spain. They were conquered for 800 years.
So when Magellan was demolished by Lapu Lapu, defeated. And we say that in our national anthem, “sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil”. They said, “oh no, it’s the Moros again”. They made the Muslims, those who weren’t converted, as our enemies. The same way they did in Spain. So, naging kalaban natin ang dapat hindi nating kalaban. So, kapag nakita niyo ang mga fiesta natin, mga moro moro, parang kalaban natin, kalaban natin ang mga Muslim.
To make the long story short, what has happened since then… Remember that the Sultan of Sulu was one of the most fantastic Sultinates of the world. They were able to help Brunei and Borneo get Saba.
So, you see, you have all these things happening in our country. And all of a sudden, they are marginalized and excluded. That’s the beginning of the problem. You exclude them, and you distinguish them as the enemy, then what happens. They will slowly be marginalized, until you eventually have – When you go to Sulu, it has become impoverished. Kids can’t even go to school with good teachers out there. Takot magbigay ng exam ang Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).
So volunteer teachers sila, I had to report that to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Kita mo because of the gulo there, [there has been the the strong presence of armed groups and military].
We always fight but we don’t try to fix the problem. So, education is a problem, health is a problem, lack of infrastructure is a problem. They cannot even sell their products. This once proud race, who beat Spain, are now – you try to make them farmers, but even if they farm they cannot sell their goods. And so, ayaw pumunta doon ang Department of Trade, natatakot.
And so, they get poorer and poorer. And because they get more poor, they go back to the guns.
So, to make a long story short, this situation has forced itself upon our nation. And they have been made to be seen as the enemy.. We have never really tried to uphold their dignity, uphold their education.
When you try to develop a country, you move forward, and if the adaptability of the change isn’t there, and if the opportunities of change is reserved exclusively for Christians and not to Muslims – what happens is conflict and exclusion.
There’s a lot of pain out there, and you have to assuage that pain. There’s a lot of anger also on the many people who were kidnapped, so you have to find a way to put in investments.
If I were president, one of the first things that I might do is to get an island in Sulu, and show them that it can be a tourism destination. Bring domestic tourism there.
If you show, na pwedeng kumita other than the gun, that they can make money out of the tourism business – of course you have to invest in it – I think that there will slowly be a difference in attitude.
One of the manifestations of this is I introduced funding, created a monument for Lapu Lapu, pushed for the Islamic Cultural History of the Philippines in Intramuros, etc.
Another thing that I would like to do is to bring Muslim children and have them live with Christian children in Christian homes, make them do things together. We don’t have the tension like other countries like Israel and Palestine, but still it is always better to try and engage. Enable, engage, and ennoble. Respect, understand, and accept.
Need I say more? I believe Dick Gordon is the most qualified candidate to run the Philippines. Together with another man of action, Bayani Fernando, I’m positive we’ll be on our way to a better Philippines.
Bayani Fernando is seen by many as a no nonsense new breed of politician.
Our country badly needs transformational change. With that in mind, Bayani Fernando as a vice presidential candidate together with running mate Dick Gordon, have dubbed themselves as ‘the Transformers‘.
‘The Transformers’ is not just a label. Bayani Fernando has a lot of achievements tied to his name to prove that he can transform our country to a better one. When he first came into the political scene, he ran for and won, as the mayor of Marikina city back in 1992. He was re-elected twice by the people of Marikina. It is clear why they kept voting him back into office.
In Marikina, people saw a leader that could deliver. At the start of his term, Marikina was a 4th class municipality. But by the end of Bayani Fernando’s term, he made Marikina a model city. He led with great political will, with focus & determination and never waivered on his principles. He was able to help more than 30 thousand families who were squatters and at the same time get rid of the squatters problem in Marikina’s public places & near the edges of waters.
He implemented programs and reforms so that relocation was not the end goal, but providing means so that families could be self sustaining was the ultimate goal. He has indeed succeeded in being able to turn around Marikina during his terms in office as mayor.
I can clearly remember when I first visited Marikina and my friend was telling me how different it was in Marikina. He said it’s like entering another dimension, you won’t even believe it’s part of Metro Manila. He was very confident in saying that there is almost zero crime rate in Marikina, very clean & disciplined city, how the place was transformed by a Bayani administration. And I believed him because I noticed the same thing when we went to Marikina.
And you’d think that this would be enough, but results are what matter, and is clearly seen in the rise in revenue collection during Fernando’s term. Rising from Php77 Million to Php1 Billion. If there’s anything you take away from Fernando’s terms in office as Mayor, it is this astounding number. Just imagine what he would be able to do with the whole of the Philippines.
His father was also mayor of Marikina back when he was just child, but his love of math, numbers, and building things is what made him pursue mechanical engineering. He would later use this experience as a mechanical engineer in his own construction company, and later on, in heading the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
In 2002, Fernando would again utilize his skills for reforms, coupled with his leadership and management style, not to mention his unwaivering political will, and he would take up the call of being Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman. It would be this position that would greatly increase his profile, but more importantly, it was this position that proved just how important a key leader in a key position could be when it came to making a positive change in the lives of Filipinos. Being a mechanical engineer has helped Fernando greatly as he has put a structured approach in his management of the MMDA. He has begun the streamlining of the infrastructure of Metro Manila.
The experience that he has garnered as chairman of the MMDA can be translated on a greater national level. Programs that the nation so desperately needs. With the MMDA, Fernando has been able to implement and utilize traffic programs, urban transportation programs, traffic engineering, and the Urban Transport Integration Project. All of which focus on the transportation sector. But by far, a key focus that should also be highlighted, and probably not even downplayed as MMDA chairman is his leadership in bringing programs that deals with flood control and drainage management. Again, Fernando’s ability to get to the actual problems, and dealing with them squarely is yet another sign of his management style.
Bayani is a man of few words. I bet he’s not the best debater or speaker out there but his actions are undeniable. I noticed this first-hand when I interviewed him a few months back. As I already know his achievements, I decided to ask him very light questions.
Alex Lacson is one of the senatorial candidates that really touched my heart when he shared with us his experiences and his love for our beloved country, the Philippines. He is known to be the author of “12 Little things you can do for your country”. The book was published 2005 & was endorsed by people such as the late president Cory Aquino, Eugenia Duran Apostol (Chair, Worldwide People Power), Ruben M. Tanseco, S. J., as well as Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Alex Lacson gave us a copy of the book during the press conference. I must say every Filipino should have one. I suggest you go to any of the book stores and buy one now. We can all do our own actions to help make our country a better place. Alex Lacson believes so, and I believe so too.
I asked the humble senatorial candidate about his book and what he can tell us about it. He stood up and started sharing how he started writing the book, what inspired him and how the book influenced other people and institutions…
Actually if you noticed..you have there, the flyer, my slogan is no longer bagong pinoy, bagong pag-asa. We changed that already, this is an old tarpaulin. Nilagay na namin dyan ay “bagong storyaâ€. So, ang kinuha na namin na slogan, ng campaign slogan is bagong storya.
And why bagong storya kinuha naming campaign slogan? In fact, people have become curious of that. Bakit bagong istorya? Because actually we want to bring out the new story of the Filipino, like the new story of our people. The story of The Filipino who has faith in the Filipino. Yung naniniwala sa Filipino, yung naniniwala sa kakayahang Filipino. Yung tingin niya sa bawat Filpino, ay parang kapatid. Muslim ka man, Kristyano ka man, na naniniwala na kaya natin. That’s why bagong istorya siya.
Why the book? Ito po yung book, the message of this book is really very simple that we are the builders of our own greatness, that we write our own stories to people. That if you want the Filipino people to become great, If you want the Filipino to become respectable, if you want the Filipino to be a world-class citizen in the eyes of the world, then we have to do something about it. So, ibig sabihin, itong 12 little things, every Filipino can do, these are small acts of patriotism, small acts of heroism, that every Filipino can do to help our country. I really believe kahit mahirap na Filipino may magagawa siya sa bansa natin. Mayaman ka man, nasa ibang bansa ka man, may magagawa ka parin.
That’s why in the past 4 years I have been also invited to speak in several communities abroad because they want to do something to help our country. The essence is really that, small acts of heroism, small acts of patriotism for our country. And it has really connected with our people. In the past 4 years, every year, umabot na ng 200 spekaing engagements ko because of this book, walang press release, walang promotion, on our own lang talga. Ang ibig sabihin, they love this country and they want to do something. So nakita nila, 12 little things, kaya ko rin ito. ginagawa rin nila, minomodify nila. 12 little things ginagawa nila 15 little things teachers, 12 little things teachers can do to help our country. Sa ateneo, 12 little things every Atenean can do to help Ateneo in our country. Mali lang ng konti dun dahil nauna yung ateneo. La salle also came out with something like that, St Paul also came out with something like that, and even Siliman.
It’s the little things. Little things. It’s about small acts but great faith. Great faith that with the little things we do we just have to believe that the big change will come. Because essentially all the change that we see in the world, in history, they all start with small changes.
Diba, yung landslide, bago siya naging landslide it’s a snowball — nagsnosnowball siya, maliit, naggagather siya, nagpipick up siya ng other things, palaki ng palaki [until it becomes a landslide]. All change really begins small.. all the big change that we need in our country really have to start small somewhere to create the big change we’re looking for you just have to have faith.
In fact, if you recall, there was that famous book by Malcom Gladwell, The Tipping Point. Actually I was reading that book while I was writing this book (12 Little Things). I was reading that. And from cover to cover the story of Tipping Point is a story of small changes, how the small changes results into big changes.
There was one story there, I think it was in America. A group of doctors they were trying to find a way to raise the awareness level of the members of the community kung saan mataas ang diabetes. Ang ginawa ng mga doctors, nagbigay sila ng seminar. Ang dami umattend. But how come nag offer na sila, and after the seminar, they told the attendees to go to the hospital and they were told that they would be given free medicine. But after the seminar, less than 20% of those who attended, went to the hospital.
And the doctors said, kung worried sila about yung level of diabetes, how is it konti lang pumunta sa hospital?
They conducted again a seminar but this time around, they provided a map na paano pumunta dun sa hospital. So, when they provided a map, nakita yung mga audience, ah ito pala how to get to the hospital. Instead of 20% of the attendees attending, this time around, more than 80% went to the hospital. Why? because of the map. That little detail of the map, made a big difference.
I went to the UCC venue last month to meet the 3 lady senatoriables of The Liberal Party (LP). Sonia Roco wasn’t able to go so we met with Risa Hontiveros & Yasmin Lao. I have already written an article about Risa Hontiveros and about her thoughts on the RH bill. However, I wondered who Yasmin Lao was though.
I’ve never heard of Yasmin Lao before and so I had no idea where she comes from and what her credentials were. I sat there and waited for my turn to ask the lady senatorial candidate. I wanted to know what she has been fighting for and what she plans to do if she lands a position in the senate. She was wearing something to cover her hair and so I assumed that she’s a Muslim.
I asked her, “Can you tell us who you are and what you are fighting for?“. She smiled and answered very warmly.
I used to be a professor of psychology at Mindanao State University since 1988 until 1997 when I founded Al-Mujadilah Development Foundation (AMDF) but even then coming from a culture where early marriage and arranged marriages are rampant where you see young girls (bride) and grooms. I’m a witness and I’ve seen how, in terms of the right of the children to pursue their own full development particularly education and career. I’ve seen the impact to bright promising girls who dream of becoming somebody professional. then they get married at the age of 14 and then most of them if they do get pregnant immediately, get no schooling, they stop schooling. Then of course, no economic opportunity.
So I’ve seen the impact of that, particularly in women, and that’s where my advocacy for women’s right started, and how I’ve started questioning the culture and gender issues. So that has been my main advocacy, looking at the code of Muslim personal laws, looking at international laws, national laws, and see how these can work together on the advantage of women. For example, while the code of Muslim personal laws do not categorically state that what is provided for in the violence against women and children, where it’s a criminal offense. But women don’t know, Particularly among Muslim women, that there is a provision in the code of Muslim personal law that a woman can really ask for divorce, because divorce is allowed if there’s harm, if she’s put in harm.
So what we would do is that we would encourage Muslim women to use the code of Muslim personal law to file for if they want divorce then use the [separate Muslim law] for the criminal. So that’s an example of what I’m saying, how do we help women to maximize the available tools that they have for themselves.. that has been my advocacy and of course working among adolescents, Muslim women girls and boys on gender issues and reproductive health issues, and women political leaders on gender responsive governance.
And before I resigned, I’m working very closely among farmers and fisher folks on sustainability particularly natural farming and fishing and I’ve worked in the evacuation center and that’s what I’m very passionate about — peace and the peace process because I’ve seen the impact of the conflict among civilians particularly on women.
If you’ve covered or if you’ve visited evacuation centers pag may sunog or may bagyo, people stay in the evacuation centers, you’ve seen the conditions, it’s really inhuman, it lowers the human dignity much more for women when we have special needs — toilet, CR and all. When I was in the evacuation center, if you just flee and you only have your clothes on your body you don’t even have your underwear with you the more you will feel [the impact], and you stay in a room with strangers you don’t know. And of course, you need napkins, you need underwear which you don’t find in emergency kit that they give because our understanding in the evacuation center they need food, they need water and that’s it but then equally if not more than that is that when your own self concept and your own human dignity it adds up to the misery and the psychological impact. Kahit may pagkain diyan, if you feel like you’re depressed about the situation..
