Campaign starts at Plaza Miranda

MR. EXPOSE

Amb. Ernesto Maceda

02/09/2010

The official campaign period for national candidates starts today with the traditional proclamation rally. The venues are: Joseph “Erap” Estrada-Jojo Binay at Plaza Miranda, Manila with Mayor Lito Atienza. The Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas team at Concepcion, Tarlac which covers part of Hacienda Luisita. Manny Villar-Loren Legarda at Calamba, Laguna, homeground of Rep. Timmy Chipeco. Gibo Teodoro-Edu Manzano at Antipolo, Rizal while Dick Gordon-Bayani Fernando tandem will be proclaimed in Imus, Cavite.

With the official campaign starting, rules and limitations on campaign propaganda including TV-Radio ads will now be enforced.

President Estrada’s Plaza Miranda stage will feature a 9x24 meter video wall that is usually used in big concerts with four widescreens.

Mayor Lito Atienza and teammate Bonjay Isip Garcia and 36 candidates for councilor assured the attendance of 20,000 persons which will result in closing down Quezon Boulevard.

The kick-off rally will be preceded by a day long motorcade in Quezon City. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. And will last until 9 p.m. VIPs are advised to pass through Carriedo Street coming from McArthur bridge or Rizal Avenue.

Besides President Erap and Mayor Jojo Binay, the following senatorial candidates will be formally announced:

Sen. President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Kit Tatad, Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, former Rep. Apolinario Lozada, former Rep. JV Bautista, Joey de Venecia, Gen. Danilo Lim and guest candidates Miriam Santiago, Bong Revilla and Serge Osmeña. The 12th candidate will also be named tonight.

PPCRV-ABC 5 Forum. Six presidential candidates showed up at Miriam College, Quezon City, Sunday morning. Four candidates who had confirmed were no-shows namely Noynoy Aquino, Gibo Teodoro, Manny Villar and Vetallano Acosta.

President Erap in response to a question of Luchie Cruz Valdez reiterated his commitment to press freedom. In response to a question asked by Sen. Jamby Madrigal, he said that if charges are properly filed against GMA, he will respect the independence of the judiciary and leave it to the courts.

President Erap prioritized Peace and Order, Food Security, Job Creation especially in the agricultural sector and anti-corruption campaign as his main platform.

His platform also includes the following in capsule form:

Charter change:

Yes, based on a study we conducted during my administration, our Constitution needs to be amended

• Reassess the provision on land ownership

• Reassess the provision on foreign participation in telecommunications and media

But this must done at the start of the term so people will not suspect that it’s for term extension.

Not in favor of a parliamentary system of government

We cannot deprive our people of the right to choose their leader.

Solving the global financial crisis:

I addressed a similar crisis as president in 1998: the Asian Financial Crisis. Modesty aside, it was under my leadership that the Philippines was the first to emerge from the Asian Financial Crisis.

I will apply the formula used then:

• (1) An economic team will design a FISCAL STIMULUS PROGRAM, like the one we implemented in our first 18 months in office.

• (2) Strengthen the domestic economy by STRENGTHENING THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR. We raised farm output, which led to lower inflation, which led to higher GNP, which brought us out of the financial crisis.

Freedom of the press:

I respect the right of the public to information. I will never deny journalists the right to cover a news event. (For example, I allowed coverage of my own trial. Today, you cannot cover Ampatuan.)

Extra-judicial killings

Speedy investigation of present cases

Certainty of punishment

Increased security for journalists who cover areas like Mindanao

Climate change:

I foresaw this problem as early as 1998. That is why I signed into law the Clean Air Act. (RA 8749) which makes it illegal to pollute the environment.

We have to go back to basics, proper solid waste management

We have to be prepared for events like “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”

Education:

1. As the Millennium President, I signed the commitment of the Philippines to the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, I will see to it that we fulfill our commitment to achieve UNIVERSAL Primary education by 2015.

How?

• Integrate prep and kindergarten to day car centers in each and every barangay.

• Reduce class sizes. Solve the classroom shortage once and for all

2. Improve quality of education

• Computerization of schools

• Continuous training and education of teachers

Labor:

How will you increase jobs?

1. Create an atmosphere conducive to investors through:

• Peace and order

• Proper fiscal policies

• Stability in labor laws and management

2. Generate job growth specifically in the following industries:

• Service sector (55 percent of labor force)

• Agricultural sector (40 percent of the labor force)

• Give or lend bigger start-up capital for small businesses.

Urban poor:

1. Countryside development

2. Infrastructure development for better, cheaper land transportation that even the poor from rural areas can afford.

Disabled:

Simply implement existing laws regarding the disabled. Have a policy that does not discriminate.

OFWs:

1. Strengthen bilateral relations with receiving countries.

2. Support our labor attaches and welfare officers.

3. Assisting returning OFWs.

4. Give incentives to invest their money here.

5. Create a commission to study how best to assist OFWs when they return home.

Women:

1. Reproductive Health Bill: I am in favor of giving women the freedom to choose the size of their family and the method of family planning.

2. Women trafficking: Have certainty of punishment for those who commit this crime.

Transportation:

1. How will you lower cost of transportation? Infrastructure development. MRT from north to south.

2. How will you assist operators when oil is so high? Gas subsidies but only for a temporary period of time.

Ethnic group:

1. Prioritization now is countryside development

2. Respect for cultural practices.

He will be participating in two forums next week. Focap on Feb. 15 and PCCI on Feb. 16 at the Marriott Hotel.

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