Presidential aspirants sign covenant

Months ahead of the 2010 elections, contenders for the presidency have forged a gentleman’s agreement to keep next year’s national elections clean, honest and peaceful.

But two of the front-running hopefuls—Vice President Noli de Castro and Senator Manuel Villar—snubbed yet another forum aimed at engaging presidential aspirants on issues and policies.

De Castro and Villar, who both project themselves as pro-poor, had earlier rejected similar invitations by the ANC Leadership Forum. The two prefer to engage the public through expensive advertisements.

Heavy rains on Thursday did not prevent former President Joseph Estrada, Senators Mar Roxas, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Richard Gordon, and Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio from attending the forum sponsored by election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting/National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (PPCRV/Namfrel). It was held at the historic Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.

They signed a covenant rejecting “guns, goons and gold” in the elections and bound themselves to an agreement that they will oppose any charter change before 2010 polls.

Signings of such covenants are usually held after the candidates have filed their certificates of candidacies. These are, more often than not, for ceremonial purposes. The agreements, especially when it comes to election spending, are wantonly violated in the thick and heat of the campaign period.

Priorities and policies

Facing questions from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), persons with disabilities, women and workers' sectors, the aspirants offered a glimpse into their priorities and policies if elected to Malacañang.

The wannabes also answered questions surrounding their personal circumstances and experiences--or lack of it.

Roxas was asked about the role oligarchs would play under his presidency, but he skirted answering the issue head-on. He said he would uphold the political legacy of his family. He noted that his grandfather, former President Manuel Roxas, and his father, former Senator Gerardo Roxas, have unblemished records in public service.

Asked about his youth and lack of experience, Escudero, who will turn 40 in October, said he is prepared to tackle the job.

Legarda, for her part, said her split from husband Antonio Leviste could be a blessing in disguise since she will have no First Gentleman under her presidency.

Asked how his being a Catholic priest would impact on policies, Panlilio skirted the issue by saying that there is no conflict between priesthood and government service.

Estrada said he would continue the programs he had initiated such as focusing on improving peace and order.

Gordon, when told that his presidential ambition is but a pipe dream, countered that he had pulled off some “mission-impossible” jobs like reviving Olongapo City and the former American military facility, Subic Naval Base, and pushing for automated elections.

Fighting corruption

On the issue of corruption, Estrada repeated his mantra that he will not spare any relatives or friends. He said the “certainty of punishment” for those found guilty should curb corruption.

It will be recalled that Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder in September 2007, but was immediately pardoned by Arroyo.

Gordon and Panlilio said applying the full force of the law on those found guilty should do the trick.

“There should be closure of cases. Those convicted should be put to jail,” Gordon said.

“The full force of the law should take its course,” Panlilio said.

In response to a different question, Gordon questioned the wisdom of pardoning guilty parties. He said children can be taught moral values if it is shown that guilty parties are put behind bars “with no exemption." Pardoning guilty persons, he said, “is not a good example.”

Overseas workers

On labor export policy, Legarda and Escudero acknowledged that OFW remittances have helped keep the economy afloat. Both pushed for greater assistance, training and protection for OFWs.

Roxas said OFWs should be trained to use the Internet and wireless mobile service for them to be able to report abuses.

Asked how he would seek to improve the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that only fosters prostitution, Roxas mumbled that “soldiers who were from the field or ships and haven’t seen any women should be put in a transition.” It was not clear what he meant.

Gordon was caught unaware when asked on how he would implement a customized social protection program for workers. “I am not familiar with that,” he said. He added, however, that he would push for greater productivity and less dependence on government for growth.

Representatives from the urban poor, the youth and the teachers were not able to pose their questions because of the heavy rains brought about by tropical storm Isang.