Analyse This!
Because of the recent circus of the challenges between some of our presidential candidates, I have tried to search the internet for the platforms of all our candidates. In one of my posts about Duterte (The candidate I support), someone actually called me an idiot! He claimed that I was delusional and wanted a candidate who supported the BBL and coddled the NPA. So instead of being aggressive and rabid and hurt by the fact that I was called an idiot, here is my own personal take on the platforms of the presidential candidates which one can readily find on the internet: All of the comments here reflect my own personal opinion and since I refuse to be called an Idiot by anyone. I challenge those who support other candidates to now tell me the whys and hows of their own candidates, because I can tell you the whys and how of mine. Magpakatao tayo. Wag mag asal aso! wag mag padala sa ganda lang ng English ng isang candidato, paano ito manamit at paano ito magsalita. Alamin kung ano ang pinagsasabi nila at baka mamaya mahulog lang tayo sa wala, dahil sa totoo wala namang laman ang kanilang mga pangako.
Halalan 2016 (Part 2)
Because of the recent circus of the challenges between some of our presidential candidates, I have tried to search the internet for the platforms of all our candidates. In one of my posts about Duterte (The candidate I support), someone actually called me an idiot! He claimed that I was delusional and wanted a candidate who supported the BBL and coddled the NPA. So instead of being aggressive and rabid and hurt by the fact that I was called an idiot, here is my own personal take on the platforms of the presidential candidates which one can readily find on the internet: All of the comments here reflect my own personal opinion and since I refuse to be called an Idiot by anyone. I challenge those who support other candidates to now tell me the whys and hows of their own candidates, because I can tell you the whys and how of mine. Magpakatao tayo. Wag mag asal aso! wag mag padala sa ganda lang ng English ng isang candidato, paano ito manamit at paano ito magsalita. Alamin kung ano ang pinagsasabi nila at baka mamaya mahulog lang tayo sa wala, dahil sa totoo wala namang laman ang kanilang mga pangako.
Jejomar Binay:
Platform
-A determined effort to curb corruption in government, competence in governance and compassion for the poor.
Comment:
How? How can we measure a determined effort? What is Binay’s yardstick when it comes to determining effort and how to we measure competence? This statement should be framed properly for it to be a platform. In showing compassion for the poor, it is personal and depends on one’s definition of compassion. I do agree with being compassionate but I would prefer empowerment.
Compassion for the poor is, in itself, is good but what he is implying is that the poor would be given preferential treatment or given dole-out instead of empowerment. This implies an allocation of a budget of sorts, but until when can we continuously provide for them?
– Private enterprise must be encouraged and supported, but the benefits of economic growth must be shared by the entire citizenry.
Comment: Good. Are we implying a government subsidy of sorts? In what area? What industry is Binay referring to? This is good, but for the critical thinkers, is this referring to the increasing costs of electricity? If so, again, I ask the question How? how will this be implemented?
-Foreign direct investments are desirable in order to strengthen and grow the Philippine economy, but any amendments to the Constitution must give priority to our national interests.
Comment: What does this mean? Does this touch on the foreign mining firms that drain our natural resources? What is his stand on China’s presence in Spratlys? How do we strike a balance between the influx of foreign direct investments and the protection of local businesses as dictated in the 40%-60% sharing clause in the Philippine constitution? If there are amendments to the said constitution, what part exactly? What are, if there’s any, measures to ensure that these foreign investors do not dominate the market, given that they have more capital. Where does the “Small businesses aided” platform fit into this scenario?
– Small businesses must be aided in accessing capital and provided guidance.
Adequate education must be provided as a right to make our citizens competitive with the rest of the world;
Comment: This is already in place. In the projects of landbank and other local government projects. This is not entirely new however, we should revisit the maximization of these government programs so the funds that were funnelled into such projects are also maximized.
-It is the primary duty of government personnel to render efficient, competent and courteous service to the citizenry.
Comment: This is not a platform. This is the effect if corruption and bureaucracy is lessened or eradicated. Thus this is an offshoot and not the cause.Courtesy as well as good manners and right conduct should be observed by every reasonable citizen in any country. That is a given.
-Patronage and nepotism breed incompetence and corruption. Transparency is key to trustworthy governance.
Comment: Let us first define nepotism: It is the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs and Let us define patronage: It is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another.
therefore, if this is the VP’s stand, will he be willing to remove those people who has helped him financially or politically because in his own words, it breeds corruption and incompetence. Patronage and nepotism may also extend to family members. Therefore it begs to ask the question about his stand on the anti dynasty bill. Does this mean he is now in favor of this bill? After all has been said, how will his government deliver transparency to its people? Will we be able to see the books on government spending just like other countries? will that be readily available to us? if yes, how so?
-The executive, legislative and judicial branches of government should remain coequal.
Human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion must never be curtailed.
Comment: This is not a platform. This is our God given right as mandated by the constititution of the Philippines. as with the articles on the three branches of government.
-We must establish an enlightened foreign policy based on peaceful and friendly international relations, and the observance of alliances and international treaties.
Comment: what will be Philippine foreign policy under a Binay presidency? What will be our take on China and the interests of America on Philippine soil? What will be our take if we deal with both China and America under a Binay presidency?
Grace Poe
PLATFORM
-Her program is centered on “a simple principle and belief: that no Filipino and no region should be left behind.
Comment: If this is her take, how do will she address the widening gap between the rich and the poor? How can her presidency determine that it has already achieved it’s goals that “no Filipino and no region should be left behind”? Is this achievable within 6 years of one’s presidency?
-“We will rise and progress together as one nation,” she said in her speech announcing her run for the presidency last month.
She said she was inspired by her father’s dream to help the poor and the oppressed, and to build a prosperous and just society.
Comment: How will we rise and progress as a nation? How does her presidency dream to help the poor and the oppressed? How does her presidency propose to build a prosperous and just society? How will we quantify this and when can we say that we are satisfied with her leadership? How do we put yardsticks to these “goals?”
-Her goal, she said, is to bring about reforms to achieve inclusive growth, global competitiveness, and transparent government. There should be preferential bias for the poor and the vulnerable
Comment: On achieving inclusive growth, global competitiveness and transparent government how will her presidency work this one out? what is the proposed quantifiable framework for such goals?
In saying that there should be preferential treatment for the poor, how do we define poor? Are we referring to everyone? are we referring to those who cannot eat three times a day? are we referring to those who can eat but are malnourished? Are we referring to those who can eat but cannot afford other basic needs such as medicine etc? what do we mean by poor? 90% of The Philippine population is below poverty line after all. So how do we break this down?
Funding will be required to implement the all encompassing statement of “there should be preferential bias for the poor and vulnerable” where do we get such funding? Should the Poe presidency prescribe to borrow money from monetary institutions? Will taxes be raised for the working class to fund this so called preferential bias? what is the framework that would lead to the actual implementation of the said “platform”? I myself, as a taxpayer would certainly want to hear more about this platform.
-To make these concrete, Poe presented her position on 20 key issues, including priority on infrastructure development for which the annual budget would be increased to 7 percent of GDP. The government would also help the private sector formulate an industrialization and IT plan, so that there would be more ‘made in the Philippines’ products. This would create more jobs, she said.
Comment: This is a noble and heartfelt plan but it must be pointed out that not all Filipinos are technically inclined. It is a sad fact that there are many Filipinos who are illiterate. Whereas the thought is noble and good, one must address poverty at the grassroots level and sadly, this is not on the grassroots level. If this is one of the core platforms of a Poe presidency, I find it unsubstantiated weak and unappealing to my sensibilities. It is of note that there are jobs available in the Philippines, but is the common Filipino qualified to fill these job vacancies? That is a point to note.
-She planned to maximize digital technology for education, expand the scholarship programs and strengthen the “study now, pay later” program. College students would receive assistance in finding internships and jobs so they could get experience before graduating.
Comment: Excellent! How? Again what is the conceptualized proposal of the Poe presidency to make this a reality?
-Poe said she would strive to give farmers their own land, boost irrigation and push for mechanization. She would look for a program to make fishing, farming and livestock propagation profitable for the farmers and the youth.
Comment: Is this not practiced by the comprehensive agrarian reform program? If so, does a Poe presidency also recognize the failure of that program? What will She implement differently then, given that this has existed and has mostly failed?
-The fight against corruption would continue, and those responsible would be held accountable, whether friend or foe, she said. She would push for a freedom of information law.
Comment: Great! If this is implemented then great! maybe we can say goodbye to the wheelchair that has bound our outgoing politicians since the beginning of time.
-Tax rates would be brought down, but the people should see to it that they are paying the correct taxes.
Comment: This is a wonderful thought, but given the previous platform of said presidentiable, how will we be able to sustain other projects like mechanization, irrigation, preferential bias for the poor, scholarship funds if we do not raise taxes? How much more on bringing it down?
-Wages and benefits of workers would be examined to ensure they are fair, she said.
Poe also said she would look for ways to lower power costs and resolve the frequent brownouts in Mindanao. She would see to the development of renewable energy.
Comment: I totally agree with this one. especially the take on the development of renewable energy. Mindanao can be a source of renewable energy and it is good that one presidentiable touched on this issue. It is always good for the world to lessen our carbon footprint.
-The Philippines would protect its territory through peaceful means and according to international law. The Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces would be beefed up so that they would not be intimidated by other countries.
Comment: This sounds contradictory to me. Beefing up meaning strengthening the coast guard and the armed forces so as not to be intimidated is not the most peaceful solution. Diplomacy is. I reserve judgement on this one.
-Arts, culture, and sports would also receive proper government attention, so that the country’s skilled and talented citizens would be recognized at home and not just abroad, according to Poe.
Comment: good for the people in the arts but couldn’t we focus more on a bigger range of people?
-There should be a separate Emergency Management Department that will focus on national preparedness, climate change and geomapping, she said.
Comment: This will mean more spending. Why not delegate to the LGUs, educate the locals where disaster normally occurs? Or strengthen PAG-ASA?
.-More attention would also be given to the tourism industry to boost job creation. Additional infrastructure, including airports, would be built, she said.
Children, who represent the country’s future, would receive more government assistance through proper nutrition, Poe said. There should be a standard lunch program in all public schools, she added
Comment: Good! Good! Good! How will a Poe presidency do this given that she also proposes to lower taxes? Where will we get the funding then to make this a reality?
-According to Poe, her dream is to have each and every Filipino live a complete and productive life, and one with dignity.
She outlined three strategies to achieve her goals. The first is to fight poverty and push for inclusive growth. The second is to have an open government, one that is free from corruption and respects human rights. The third is to push for a culture that would pave the way for the country’s global competitiveness.
Comment: Let us now really think hard about everything that has been written down here. Is this feasible and achievable in 6 years? Do we have the funds for this? Or will this one just go down as one of the empty promises of a politician because this is what they believe we want to hear?
Mar Roxas
PLATFORM
Continuity will be the cornerstone of the Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer’s campaign, banking on the purported gains of the Aquino administration’s centerpiece governance agenda of “daang matuwid” (straight path).
“Our platform of principles is a platform of dynamic continuity; one premised on maintaining the gains and momentum of (the President’s) term and bringing it to the next level in a comprehensive and inclusive manner,” Roxas told the Inquirer.
“It is one that is arrived at through a process of deliberation and consensus,” he added.
Roxas said the LP and its coalition partners would make public their comprehensive governance principles and platform after the official filing of their candidacies.
Comment: We already see with our own two eyes what the Aquino administration has done. All its achievements and flaws. We can all have our own opinions based on that.
LP has also yet to come up with their detailed platform so I will wait until that happens, but you can already see and guess based on the current administration what will happen next. This one is your call. Think very hard and think again and ask yourself, am I satisfied with this or do I want something different?
