Adventure2day: Philippine Online Chronicles: Undecided on Manny Villar? (updated 4/30)

http://www.thepoc.net/voters-education/6003-undecided-on-manny-villar.html

The path to the presidency in particular and the Philippine elections in general is littered with myths, fabrications, and plenty of mud. As Election Day draws closer, many issues and controversiesbetween the presidential candidates are still left in the dark. With opposing parties unearthing issues and controversies against each other in the hopes of obtaining a choice seat in government, most people are simply unaware of what counts as fact and what counts as fiction. Manny Villar says that his opponentsare stepping up their black propaganda campaign against him as the elections draw nearer, and he expects the attacks to turn more vicious. He responds to these attacks in akalamo.com

Instead of letting your vote be swayed by advertisements and media projection, here are the facts on Manny Villar, the standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party and one of the top contenders for the highest seat in Philippine government.

1. How did he get so rich?

Manny Villar's motto sipag at tiyaga is the very same reason why he got so rich. At an early age, he helped his mother sell shrimps and fish, fueled by the desire to improve their family's standard of living and support his studies. Because of this ardent desire and perseverance, he was able to graduate from the University of the Philippines with both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Business Administration. He worked as an accountant and financial analyst before venturing into his own business. With an initial capital of only P10,000, coupled with a solid determination for success, he started his sand-and-gravel business in Las Pinas. Through this business, he came up with the brilliant idea of selling house and lot packages, instead of just selling lots and letting the clients build their own houses. This catapulted him as a housing industry leader. Manny Villar did not get rich overnight. He needed to be hardworking, persevering, determined, and unwavering with his dream in order to achieve his rags-to-riches story. He also had the foresight to sell some of his personal shares amounting to at least $200-million when his real-estate companies had an initial public offering (IPO) in the Philippine Stock Exchange. At that time, the exchange rate was more than P50 to $1 and Mr. Villar, therefore, was able to stash in bank deposits more-than ten billion pesos that he said was his budget for his 2010 presidential campaign.

2. Even as all the leading candidates have spent billions in their presidential campaign, Manny Villar has spent the most. Would he try to recoup his expenses if he becomes president?

Unlike other presidential aspirants who need sponsorships and donations from other people, Manny Villar has been using his own money to fund his presidential campaign. Admittedly, he has the biggest expenditure for this year's presidential election and the most number of advertisements on television. However, there is proof that he has sufficient personal funds to support his own campaign. According to Forbes business magazine, Manny Villar has a net worth valued at more than US$530 million, making him the ninth richest man in the Philippines. It therefore comes as no surprise that he can finance such a huge amount of spending. With billions of pesos already attached to his name, it is unlikely that he would still try to recoup the amount he has spent on his campaign. Manny Villar expressed that he does not have to recover it because his family has enough money. He even categorically stated that if he really wanted to get rich, he will just go back to being a businessman. Aside from this, he is not indebted to anyone because he financially runs his own campaign. Since he does not owe anybody any sum of money for his presidential bid, it gives more reason to believe his statement that he has no intention of recovering his massive campaign spending once he gets elected.

3. Are the people to believe that Villar would merely consider the money he spent in the campaign as part of his service to the people?

Manny Villar is a known philanthropist. Among others, he has helped 80 OFWs to return in the country by even paying their fines and plane fares. He even gave out houses valued at P1.2 million each. These are just two instances on how Manny Villar has spent his money to be of service to the Filipino people. Furthermore, the money he is using for his campaign has already been earmarked to go to charity. However, Manny believes that he can really help improve the lives of the people when he becomes the president, instead of just giving away his money but the people still remain poor. Therefore, when someone like him has spent billions of pesos for a political campaign and claims that he wants nothing in return but the opportunity to serve the Filipinos as President, people will most likely perceive this as a charity workfrom his end. Obviously, a philanthropist like Manny surely does not mind spending large sums of money, as long as it is used in uplifting and changing the lives of others for the better.

4. Would he not use his position as president to favor his businesses? Manny Villar's statement that he only wants to have the opportunity to be of service to the Filipino people and nothing more shows that he is not the type of leader who would use his presidential seat for the benefit of his own businesses. If he has no intention of recovering his campaign expenditures, it only follows that he has no interest in favoring his businesses as well. Favoring his businesses is as good as recovering the money he spent on his campaign, and it will negate his desire to simply be of service to the people. In the sensational C-5 extension project, Manny Villar categorically denied that he benefited from said project. He said that he does not need the P200 million being hurled at him. Manny also believes that favoring his own businesses will just result to a conflict of interest. He also alleges that becoming a president poses instead a lot of disadvantages to his businesses, which only intensifies the fact that he will not use his presidential position to advance his business interests.

5. The Real Deal on Villar – Behind the Norzagaray, C5, Villaroyo, and the Rags-to-Riches Stories, Ampatuan

Norzagaray land grabbing issue

One of the latest controversies that Villar has had to face is the issue of land grabbing in Norzagaray, Bulacan. Recently, a group of farmers from the region announced that Villar's corporations used up to 400 hectares of farm land as collateral for a P2 billion loan from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. According to the farmers, Villar's corporation issued fabricated land titles that were given to the BSP. The group of farmers claimed that the BSP took the land in 2003 after Villar's corporations, Manila Brickworks and Capitol Development Bank, failed to pay the loans.

As Villar's camp asserts, however, the issue is an attempt to detract supporters from Villar's bid for presidency. The group of farmers do not have proof that Villar's company's land titles were fabricated. And instead of reporting the issue to the media, the farmer's should have used legal procedures to fight for the land that is allegedly theirs. Instead, the issue was broadcast in the height of Villar's political campaigning. The land titles from Manila Brickworks and Capitol Bank were never challenged and the titles that have now been transferred to the BSP are considered legitimate according to the Registry of Deeds.

C5 double insertion

Another issue surrounding Villar is the C5 double insertion claim, in which Villar allegedly pocketed up to P200 million by adding an additional P200 million to the proposed budget for a road project headed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). According to reports, Villar also changed the structure of the road project so that it curved towards property that Villar's company owned, resulting in additional and exorbitant compensation for the affected property. Apart from the massive publicity which the allegations received, Villar's temporary silence was interpreted as cowardice in the face of a senate investigation asking Villar to return the P200 million.

In a recent interview with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who also heads the probe team behind the C5 double insertion case, however, Enrile admits that Villar was not the only senator who made amendments to the budget proposal for the road project. Even more importantly, Enrile acknowledged that though the budget had been changed by Villar, the budget change was still undertaken for funding for the road project. Instead of a double insertion, Enrile says that there were simply "two figures" that were amended in the budget. Furthermore, Villar's amendment was not done secretly, because all proposals go through sponsorships and readings from the House of Congress up to the House of Senate.

Villar recently faced the C5 allegations in a privilege speech in Senate, and said that the entire C5 affair was a political attempt to smear his presidential campaign. Villar added that the P200 million pesos that was amended in the budget was never released in the first place, since the budget still had to undergo approval from Malacanang.

Manny Villar answers questions in the senate in 2009

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

(view parts 2, 3)

Why didn't he face the senate?

Villar faced them during the senate investigation on finance, and faced it as a senate president. When he was about to face the Ethics committee, he discovered that they had the decision even before the hearing. If the chairman of the ethics committee was the accuser himself, he felt they should just file a case in court.

Vindicated from the Villarroyo accusations

Another issue surrounding Villar is an alleged alliance between him and Arroyo. Tagged as "Villarroyo" by the Liberal Party, Villar was accused of receiving support from Arroyo. Recent surveys show that most people will not support candidates that are favored by the Arroyo administration, which is why critics have noted that Villar's supposed links with the Arroyo government has contributed to the gap between Villar and Aquino.

Villar, however, claims that the Villarroyo label is again only part of the smear campaign on his bid for presidency. The biggest vindication for Villar, however, is the recent move to the Liberal Party by Lakas-CMD member Joey Salceda. The governor of Albay and one of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's closest ally and economic adviser, Salceda's move to the Liberal Party is proof that the Arroyo government does not support Villar or plan to use him after the 2010 elections.

Poor boy from Tondo?

One of the biggest questions posed to Villar, however, is his claim of being a self-made man with a rags-to-riches story. Villar built his campaign with the image of a poor boy from Tondo, Manila, which is famous for its dumpsites where impoverished communities lived by sorting through trash. Following Villar's campaign narrative, he had a poor government official for a father and a seafood vendor for a mother, and that his younger brother even died of cancer because of his family's inability to pay for medical care. According to the poverty story, Villar made his way up from selling food with his mother to becoming the ninth richest person in the country with a total wealth of $530 million.

No matter how high the sea of trash is in Villar's advertisements, Villar was never quite as poor as he claimed to be. To begin with, his father was able to purchase property in Tondo-Navotas' San Rafael Village. Although Tondo has a reputation for being impoverished, the Tondo-Navotas area does have its share of affluent neighborhoods, of which the San Rafael Village is a part. And though lower-level government officials are not known for their paychecks, Villar's father was able to secure a loan of Php 16,000 in the 1960s, which is worth over a million pesos in today's currency.

As a response, however, Villar added that "Yes, we were extremely poor but we were better off when wetransferred to Navotas; still considered poor though. When a poor man purchases a house, he has to pay for the amortization fees and that's hard; paying for the amortization is what makes a poor man's life difficult." (here is a virtual tour of his house in Tondo)

As a response to his brother's death, however, Villar added that "Many people especially the rich ones do not understand how it is losing a brother. You have gone through the effort of confining him in a hospital; and thinking about your financial capacity becomes your number one problem. It involves borrowing funds and even wagering any valuables you own just to make your brother live because you don't want him to die without rushing him to a hospital. You don't care about the fees. The poor people have been doing that too."

Curita "Curing" Bamba Villar lashed out against those who accuse her son of lying about his poverty roots. "Kung ayaw niyo maniwala pumunta kayo sa Divisoria market, Stall 2245...Akala ba ninyo hindi ako nasasaktan dun sa pinagsasabi sa anak ko? Halos ikamatay ko na (If you do not want to believe [we were poor], go to the Divisoria market, Stall 2245. Do you think I am not hurt by what is being said against my son? I almost died," Mrs. Villar said in tears, saying she used to remain silent when her son was being criticized.

Is there an Ampatuan alliance?

Critics believe that freedom for Ampatuan is only possible in a Villar victory. Andal Ampatuan proudly wore orange and purple baller IDs of Villar and Remulla respectively. Villar denies seeking Ampatuan's support. "We haven't talked … and I have no plans of talking with them." He said he had no control over the distribution of his campaign materials, including the orange wristbands. If elected president, he will reopen the murder cases against Zaldy Ampatuan, the suspended governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. "I am enraged by the decision of the Department of Justice to clear these two members of the Ampatuan clan, which in my mind had been done with unconvincing haste and without credible basis," Villar said. He also added that the "Liberals nurtured Ampatuans' warlordism."

Erap on Villar putting pressure on Philippine Stock Exchange

According to Villar, "The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) did not change or bend any rules to favor Vista Land. The stock exchange is a private entity with its own set of rules. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has nothing to do with the public offering of Vista Land, but just the same I challengethem to investigate. The public offering of Vista Land shares was done in accordance with all rules of the stock exchange and the SEC. The PSE had certified that Vista Land complied with the listing requirements"

Visit akalamo.com where Manny Villar responds to the other mistruths not mentioned here.

Manny Villar's track record and experience

Villar invokes his record and past actions and experiences to back his plans up, which he claims cannot be said for the other leading presidential aspirant. He says that leadership, managerial ability, experience is important. Villar claims that a president of the country should have all three characteristics to manage the economy well enough to create more jobs and address this issue of poverty. Once poverty is addressed, it will decrease people leaving the country. In an interview, he explains:

Having been a speaker of the house, having been a senate president, having had a successful stint in the private sector, I feel that I have the leadership, the competence in management and the experience. Now this is the presidency. It is not an on the job training (OJT). There is not time to study. You must be able to address problems, the 300 billion peso deficit, the power problem, the insurgency problem , the Mindanaoconflict , the drought problem, fiscal deficit.

He said the next president has no time to lose in rebuilding the country. The next leader has to hit the ground running and there is no time for on-the-job training. He added that the first year is the most crucial, as he has to start off outstandingly. His claim to managerial and political expertise is backed up by his solid background in business as a self-made billionaire and as former House Speaker and Senate President.

Manny Villar's platform

His latest ad highlights the qualities of a good leader. Villar cites that after elections, the country still faces poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy problems.

Listen to Manny Villar talk of his plans

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

View more videos

"…kailangan ang mga lider na 'di lang laban ng laban, dapat yung may solusyon. Itataya mo ba ang kinabukasan ng iyong pamilya sa hindi pa subok at wala pang nagawa?" Villar says in the ad.

(We need leaders who know more than just to fight, who possess solutions. Will you entrust your family's future to someone who hasn't been tested, and has done nothing?)

He offers some solutions through his platforms

Entrepreneurial revolution and a competitive environment will be the centerpiece of Manny Villar's program if he is elected to the presidency.
To prevent corruption, Villar plans to bid out and award all infrastructure contracts within his first hundred days in office, publicly on television.
The short term plan for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) is to provide safety nets so that every OFW, if he finds himself in trouble, could be helped out. If he needs a job while abroad, the government will help him find one. If he wants to go home then he can be sent home.
"Agriculture first," Villar says. "Seventy percent of the poor are in agriculture," and the rational of his campaign is his thrust to fight for the poor and solve injustice and create an atmosphere of self-reliance. He wants to provide infrastructure so that agriculture could grow, like driers and more irrigation.
Villar vowed to implement a massive revenue collection improvement program to fuel an infrastructure investment binge. Slapping new taxes to boost government revenues will only be a last resort under his presidency.
Health care is his biggest program as it affects the life of people. He wants to double the health budget, He has seen how hard it is for the poor to get health care especially when his brother died. He promises FREE medication for life and death and he claims it is not a empty election promise.envisions PGH-style gov't hospitals in all regions.
Manny Villar does not make promises alone. Although he has made poverty alleviation a top priority, he knows this is something that everyone, including the poor themselves, must strive for and work towards. He is just keeping it real and being honest about it.

Why vote for Manny Villar?

Before making choices that will affect Philippine society and government for years, navigating the murky and scandal-ridden waters behind each political aspirant is a must. With Villar as one of those heading the pack in the race to the presidency, knowing the issues is necessary for making informed decisions and clear the objections towards him. In an interview with Karen Davila, Villar attempts to clear up most of the issues that confused some voters who are now undecided on their presidential candidate.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

(Part 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)

Interview on Headstart with Karen Davila- April 16, 2010

After overcoming objections, you can now decide if Manny Villar is the candidate you will select to vote for as president.

Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu believes that "the next President of the Philippines must have a deep faith in the innate decency and outstanding abilities of the Filipino. He must be one who can make his countrymen rediscover their true worth and inspire them to attain their highest potential, and in the process achieve a revival of pride in being Filipino and drive socio-economic advancement for the country." The ambassador feels that the Philippines needs someone who has the "can-do" spirit in full measure, someone who believes that we have inside us the basic ingredients of success, as individuals and as a nation.

"All that we need is to unleash them, and Manny Villar may just be the right person to help us do this."

Hot Seat in Bandila- Manny Villar April 30, 2010

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

View Part 2

To be updated when issues come up. Visit akalamo.com where Manny Villar speaks on these issues.

Images: Blog Watch stock photos.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Comments

Add New

Disclaimer: Comments posted here reflect our readers' views and not the opinion of The Philippine Online Chronicles.

<< Begin < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next > End >>

baterya 17 April 10, 11:19 AM

oo na bakit ang daming naninira kay villar bakit sa iba wala naman....

i for myself pagmay issue ibig sabihin may paninindigan ka at may character ka at higit sa lahat may nagawa ka.. di katulad ng iba kaya wala masabi ang iba tao sa kanila dahila wala sila nagawa in the pass...

salamat sa post na ito.. bakit sa tv news di ito naopapalabas bakit sa internet lang nakikita... pano ang mga taong walang access sa internet.. wala ba sila right to read this kind of news,..

willbryan garcia 21 April 10, 11:38 PM

indi news po ito.. this looks more like opinion.
I'm not anti villar. But I would like a point by point na sagot sana. To dismiss issues with a blanket staement na "smear campaign lang yan" does not improve the situation or clears up the issue.
I have no issue with Villar's experience. The issue is if his character is beyond reproach.

1. Norzagaray land grabbing issue -
FACT:
it was discovered that the BSP-foreclosed titles surrendered by the Villar bank and corporation emanated from OCT No. 287 dated 25 July 1944. This was issued under a sales patent which derived its existence from Sec.122 of Act 496 of the Land Registration Act of the US Government. However during July 1944, the country was under Japanese occupation and hence there was no valid title issued under the said Act and therefore the said "Original" certificate of title is clearly a FAKE.
MY OPINION:
Either alam ni Manny na fake ang titulong ng lupa nya OR biktima rin si Villar nung fake na titulo. But Manny should not dismiss it as just "an attempt to detract supporters". Paki explain lang po paano at saan nya nakuha yung titulo??

2. C5 double insertion -
This issue has already been dissected to death by Winnie Monsod. And I have not read any satisfactory rebuttal from any of Manny's supporters or from Manny himself.
In fairness to Villar, he gave a statement during his privilege speech. But the statement did not answer the points brought up by Winnie Monsod's article.

3. Vindicated from the Villarroyo accusations -
How is Salceda's move to the Liberal Party "proof that the Arroyo government does not support Villar or plan to use him after the 2010 elections?"
It MIGHT also be viewed that Salceda's move means he is not supporting Villar because he does not want to support Arroyo's unofficial candidate.

4. Poor boy from Tondo? -
OPINION:
Nowadays, it is extremely rare for a low level government official to secure a million peso loan from GSIS. I would THINK that it would have been just as difficult back then.
Nowadays, a person who is able to buy a house, even if though a million peso loan, is not considered "poor". He might not be rich. But he is definitely not poor. Let's call spade a spade.
FACT:
And saying that "his younger brother even died of cancer because of his family's inability to pay for medical care." IS bending the truth. In the 1960's the procedure to treat leukemia was not yet discovered. Rich or poor, once you are diagnosed with leukemia in the 1960s, no amount of money can save you.

I want to keep an open mind. If you can answer this point by point, please enlighten me. Thanks.

think 22 April 10, 01:03 AM

Hello will. This is the link re C5 supported by documents from DPWH, the BIR, and the DoJ
http://www.mannyvillar.com.ph/files/C5%20Primer.pdf
that there was no double insertion and realignment.
Re the villaroyo, i hope you are not forgetting that he was the one who opened the hello garci case (wherein Noy did not want to play the garci tape), and the ZTE deal while he was the Senate president. In the lower house, it was his wife cynthia villar who rallied behind the impeachment of GMA. There are several relatives of the AQUINOS in the present administration, and these are appointed positions. Re about Manny being poor he answered all these questions at akalamo.com. I hope you are truly sincere in seeking out the truth. Because all your questions are based from "gossip" . In this campaign, you can't trust Winnie munsod, ABS-CBN, and PDI for they are supporting the yellow team. Aren't you even surprised why we don't see any news on hacienda luisita? BSA? SCTEX? The latter si Monsod pa nagcover...where is responsible journalism? Maybe its about time the yellow team answers all these questions. Its sad that because the media is leaning towards a candidate, people will be voting based on lies and not the TRUTH. We, Filipinos, deserve more...we cant afford another 6 more years of incompetence. We need a true leader who has accomplished alot of things as a private citizen and as a public servant. It may not be villar, we have gordon and gibo who have leadership qualities based on their track record. The question is: are u going to entrust a family member of yours to a surgeon who has not operated on anybody, but simply because he finished residency in surgery and his parents are both surgeons? of course not! i would rather go to a surgeon who is skilled, and has had a good track record of successful surgeries in the past. I am not familiar with the Norzagaray issue, but take my word for it and Villar did not break any law and , as the self righteous Noy would say"hindi ako magnanakaw"..and "tatapusin ko ang corruption"...did anybody even question how is going to end corruption, and about his kamag-anak inc?

Willbryan Garcia 22 April 10, 05:31 PM

Thanks for the info. I will look it over.
Like I said, I have no questions regarding Villar's experience. Pero kung experience lang paguusapan, maganda rin kasi credentials ni Gloria and Erap. But we all know how crooked ang character nila.
Again, thanks for the info. Will think about it.

nina 22 April 10, 05:10 AM

Willbryan, you read the article, but apparently you did not go to the references. All you have to do is click on the links provided. The detailed answers to your questions are all there!

Frankly, I was also taken in at first by the entire Villar character assassination campaign, but since I made it a point to be a responsible voter, I researched daily on the candidates since February. For every allegation I read the defense. I went through all their websites. I subscribed to their online campaigns, I followed the news. I sorted through smear campaigns and bickering. I read and watched their interviews, and read as much as I could about each one of them.

That's how I became enlightened: NONE OF THE CANDIDATES ARE SAINTS, in the same way, NONE OF THEM ARE EVIL. This election is far from a battle between good and evil. Like you and me, the candidates are just flawed individuals, with strengths and weaknesses, who aspire to be president because they sincerely want the best for the country.

That leaves us with a comparison of track record and platforms. And based on my analysis, of the 4 leading candidates, Villar has the best platform of government, and is simply the most competent, followed by Teodoro, followed by Aquino, followed by Erap from a far far far far far far far far distance.

So, of course, I'm going with the best qualified. May the best man (Manny Villar) win.

SULTAN BOJIE 22 April 10, 11:58 AM

nina:

you put nonoy 3rd on your list as having the most competent platform and good track record...putting all other presidentiables who have not done well in the survey nil in your list.. what platform are you talking of? what track record are you referring to? suggest you check your facts...i have nothing against manny..i think he is a good man btw...

Sultan Bojie

christian 22 April 10, 03:36 PM

Miss Nina! Thank you! I think you're a very good example for a responsible voter. :D I idolize your efforts in researching! I too did some researching taht's why I ended up with the same conclusion :D God Bless you!

emilio aguinaldo 28 April 10, 08:58 PM

Haven't you read the article above before giving your comment? Totoo nga yong sabi nila na kahit anong explain pa pag sarado na yong isip, hindi na talaga nakikinig.

roycuts 27 April 10, 12:19 PM

ang lahat ng tao ay may tama at maling Nagawa, iyon may isyo, pag walang isyo ibig sabihin walang nagawa, pag wala kang nagawa ibig sabihan wla kng pananaw, wlang plano.., wlang determination...,to solve short term and long term concerned in the future... paano ka ma lead?buti nalang c villar maraming isyo... ibig sabihin may plano at Pananaw cya, idasal nalang natin sa GOD na sana sa Ikabubuti nang lahat ang plano nya at hindi sa negative na bagay na inaakala sa iba dyan...

Jaycee Balajadia 20 April 10, 09:21 PM

Think about it. Many asked me why Manny? I asked them back, why not?
http://pinoysijuan.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-manny-villar.html

ken 27 April 10, 12:08 AM

yap i agree with this
Manny Villar - most capable candidate for the president of the Republic of the Philippines

JL 20 April 10, 09:21 PM

all i can say is.........

CHECK!

JD 20 April 10, 09:36 PM

Basta ako Manny Villar ako. Check din!

Ken JOhn Ybarle 20 April 10, 09:52 PM

idol

ako ay isang taga hanga ni manny villar, i belev na mananalo sya dito sa bacolod city. e kakampanya ka namin voluntarily. i hope manalo yayo at sana wag mo kming kalimutan. god bless

taga hanga

ken ybarle

Rolly 20 April 10, 10:27 PM

He is the right candidate and the most qualified to raise the bar level of our economy. His qualification as a Speaker of the house and senate president and succesful investor and businessman qulaify him as the Best President of our Country. I beleive he has all the charactersitics to become the undisputed president. I encourage all the Filipino peeople to vote for him. I beleive and I am sure He will will win landslide this coming May election!!!

Rosalito Sultan 21 April 10, 08:23 AM

I believe that Villar can make difference to our country. We need him now, not in 2016 neither in 2022. He has the experience required to be one of the best presidents we could have. I dont believe those allegations/accusations, because i know how to analyze facts, i'm not "tsismoso"

Arnold Q. Mendoza 21 April 10, 08:28 AM

Tama "solusyon" ang kailangan. Sa Sitwasyon natin ngayon mahirap tanggalin ang korapsyon sa taong naghihirap. Tanggalin mo man ang isa may matitira pa rin, sandali matakot pero sa oras ng pangangailangan mangungurap pa rin, mapaprivate man o gobyerno may corrupt dahil sa pangangailangan at bisyo... pero kung ... sasagana ang lahat mababawasan ang corrupt pero di pa rin matatanggal kc tao lang tayo na may pangangailangan....."solusyon" una paangatin ang ekonomya ng Pilipinas para matanggal ang nangungurap.. "I VOTE FOR MANNY VILLAR"

andres bonifacio 21 April 10, 09:05 AM

Anonymous 21 April 10, 06:11 PM

ingit lang kayo dahil ang kadidato nyo ay abno,hahahha

macario sakay 22 April 10, 12:50 AM

psychic ka kuya? alam mo na agad sino mananalo?
wag kang magsalita ng ganyan pag nanalo si villar, mapapahiya ka lang...
ang mga taong tulad mo na walang magawa kundi siraan sya, palibhasa mga psimistiko at backward kayo magisip!
wala kayong alam kundi pumuna ng mga mali ng ibang tao pero kung tutuusin mas mabaho pa kayo sa dagat ng basura!
at kahit ganyan kayo lalanguyin yan ni Villar! dahil sya at sya lang ang nararapat na maging presidente!
dapat lamang na suportahan sya!
lalo na kung manalo sya..
kahit sinong maupo, di magiging epektibo kung katulad niyo magisip, dpat makilahok tayo sa mga proyekto dahil ito ay para satin din..
hindi yung puro reklamo..

go villar! dipa ako botante suportado na kita!
lagi kitang kinakampanya sa pamilya ko!
malaki ang tiwala ko sayo at alam kong di mo kami bibiguin! :)
God bless!

Jose Rizal 22 April 10, 08:05 PM

Andres, we don't know what will happen yet, anybody could win in this election...well, as we look at the current status of politics here in our country especially in presidency, we can figure out who are competing...well, the best thing for us to do in this election is choose a lesser evil....

emilio aguinaldo 28 April 10, 08:59 PM

patayin si andres bonifacio! PATAYIN! PATAYIN!
(people cheering...)

andres bonifacio 21 April 10, 09:08 AM

macario sakay 22 April 10, 12:55 AM

we dont have to make the same mistake twice..
ERAP: magpapadikta lang yan sa mga tao t uutuin lang sya dahil wala syang alam.. madami syang bisyo pero ni hindi nya alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng "VICES" kung napanood niyo ang HARAPAN..
NOYNOY: wag natin kalimutan ang nangyari sa hacienda luisita... ang mga magsasakang pawis ang ibinuno para payamin ang mga cojuangco at aquino, ang ibinayad nila ay bala! walang awang pinatay ang mga tao... di na sila naawa! habang nagpapasasa sila sa yaman, ung mga taong tunay na naghihirap ang pinagkakaitan nila ng pagkakataon na mabuhay ng matino! at ang pamamahagi nito ayon kay noynoy ay napakaconditional, kung di sya manalo wala syang g***win..
magisip tayo!

EVIL-YA-ROY-O 23 April 10, 03:15 AM

cheryl 27 April 10, 07:09 PM

Korekek ka dyan Katropa. Maawa naman tayo sa magiging anak natin, anak ng mga anak natin kung paloloko tayo sa mga kunwari di corrupt pero tagakanlong ng mga corrupt people. Just want to ask? If Ninoy doesnt want MAGNANAKAW? Bakit solid sa kanya ang mga tao sa BIR?...interprete ko yan, if I may...si Noynoy ang Bayani ng mga Kurakot sa Gobyerno.

andres bonifacio 21 April 10, 09:09 AM

ANYBODY BUT NOT "MONEY" VILLAR.

Mr.X 21 April 10, 10:29 AM

Bat ka galit? CHILL.

macario sakay 22 April 10, 12:52 AM

ABNOY
anyone but noynoy

emilio aguinaldo 28 April 10, 08:53 PM

check you grammar moron! go back to grade 1. senseless. better shut your mouth!

christian 21 April 10, 11:35 AM

aww.. hehe I think that those who gives negative comments on this article has a closed mind on ideas.. napaka-leftist mag isip.. Why don't we open our minds?.. Think from the mind and not from our emotions..

Kung magaling kang botante, iisipin mong maiigi at aaralin mong mabuti kung sino ang ib***to mo.. Learn from the past and hope for the future..

Anong mag***wa ng pambabatikos sa maiiging pamamalakad ng Pilipinas? Think about it.. If Manny Villar can lead his company well.. Why don't we give him a chance to lead our country? Who knows what will happen?

guildmage 21 April 10, 11:43 PM

christian 22 April 10, 01:16 AM

Talent is not enough in managing a company. You also need leadrship. I believe that his company will not succeed if he is a bad leader or he has poor leadership skills. Do you know an employee of his? Ask him if he has bad leadership skills or his company has bad rules. If he says something negative about how Mr. Villar runs his company, please tell me, pasasalamatan pa kita.

GuildMage, thank you for clearing the leftist. I used the wrong term. Evryone please disregard the leftist, I am deeply sorry. Ang gusto ko lang sabihin eh... May mga taong sarado mag-isip. Kunga no ang panig nila, doon lang sila and think na lahat ng binebwelta ng kabila eh masama na or against sa kanila.

Sorry for using the term

guildmage 22 April 10, 09:22 AM

Yes. I know a person who works in a company owned by Villar. And true enough, she is praising Villar for all the supposed leadership skills he has in managing all his companies, among other things. However, it does not necessarily mean that I will believe her. And although I don't think she is being forced to vote for her boss, I think she already has a biased opinion because she works there.

Perhaps Villar truly is an efficient businessman. But like a friend of mine said, we don't need a businessman running the country. I will vote for someone I can trust. Unfortunately, your candidate has not earned mine.

christian 22 April 10, 03:28 PM

" I think she already has a biased opinion because she works there."

Yan din po ang nasa isip ko ng una, then tinanong ko po siya. Hindi ka ba napipilitan kasi boss mo siya?

Ganito po ang sagot niya sa akin sa pagkakaintindi ko:
Hindi ko naman ib***to si boss dahil empleyado niya ako. Ib***to ko si boss kasi sa tagal kong nagtratrabaho sa kanya, sa kanya ko nakita ang leadership potential na hinahanap ko. Sa kompanya niya lang ako nakakita ng values na hindi ko nakita sa ibang kompanyang napasukan ko dati. Ngayon kung may makita man akong masqualified at deserving na presidente. Siya ang ib***to ko. Kung tototo ang mga pambabatikos kay Boss, pati ang mga anomalyang binbintang sa kanya, hindi siya ang ib***to ko. Hindi naman ako sarado sa ibang kandidato.

Did you see my point guildmage?
Parang ganito, hindi porke't kamag-anak ko ang isang tao, hindi ibig sabihin na siya na agad ang kakampihan ko. Pag-aaralan kong maigi ang mga nanyari bago ako manghusga.

And I guess yung issues kay Mr. Villar. Mostly, dito sa article mo na ito mababasa.

Yes totoo, we don't need a businessman to run our country, but what we need is a man who has the ability, credibility and passion to serve our country and I think, my candidate has those traits.

cheesewiz 22 April 10, 08:36 PM

so you trust someone without any experience of improving their business or community? you trust someone who shouts he will fight for justice and equality yet didn't lift a finger when some of the workers of their hacienda were injured and killed and even blamed them because they were influenced by 'outsiders'? you trust someone who says they will fight corruption but is unable to jail a single corrupt official?

christian 22 April 10, 11:49 PM

Chessewiz. Is this for me? Well, I go for Mr. Villar. The statement above jut prooves that I believe that Mr. Villar has the traits said, ability, credibility, passion.

Not necessarily because he is a businessman. I highlighted the businessman word for I believe that guildmage misunderstood what I'm trying to say. See the comments above :)

Thank you

EVIL-YA-ROY-O 23 April 10, 03:25 AM

christian 23 April 10, 11:55 AM

Hey Evil-Ya-Roy-O... I think hindi helpful yung video na nirecommend mo :) Paano ka nakakasiguro na hindi biased ang videong ito?.. Saka sana may refferencesba na magpapatunay na totoo nga ang nilalaman at inihahayag ng nasabing video?

at saka.. paano mo masisigurado na babagsak ang ekonomiya kay Mr. Villar? haha wala kang pinagka-iba sa ecomnomic adviser ni arroyona lumipat s LP na nagsabi na tataas ang ekonomiya kung si Mr. Aquino ang nanalo. Please give us basis.

emil 30 April 10, 12:11 AM

1st reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that if there is no corruption there will be no poverty.

Reality check:

Corruption certainly contributes to poverty, but corruption is everywhere, even in the greatest democracy and the richest country in the world, the USA. President Obama has surrounded himself with many senior appointees who have been proven to be tax evaders. Large US MNCs give out bribes as a regular way of doing business. Corruption is a way of life in the USA, but it is a very rich nation. While reducing corruption certainly is important, economic progress comes when those at the helm of government know what they are doing and have political will, like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore.

Noynoy has no experience and will be quickly overwhelmed by the complexity of governance.

2nd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks that since he is not corrupt, then there will be no corruption.

Reality check:

Corruption is unfortunately deeply ingrained in the Philippine political system. That is not to say that we should not do something about it. But it is to recognize that it is not only the President but those around him/her who matter. Cory was quite saintly, but Kamaganak Inc. rampaged through her Presidency. Frank Drilon, the President of the Liberal Party, is himself known as corrupt.

Noynoy has no governance experience, whether in business or politics, and those close to him can easily run circles around him.

3rd reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that poverty would be eliminated if only there is clean governance.

Reality check:

There is widespread poverty in the Philippines not because of corruption, but because of social injustice. That is, the rich grow richer, and so the poor grow poorer. There are enough resources in the nation for everyone to have a decent life. But the rich elite, a very small part of the population, has taken a very large and disproportionate share of the nation's wealth.

How do we eliminate poverty? By sharing. This is what the first Christians did. The rich shared their wealth with the poor, and the result was that there was no one in need (Acts 4:34). This is not just about giving handouts. Part of sharing is sharing the opportunities to make money, giving just compensation to employees, giving land to the landless.

The social injustice is perpetrated by the entrenched elite economic and political families, such as the Cojuangcos, Roxases, Aranetas, Madrigals, etc. A prime example is the case of Hacienda Luisita, where the farmers have been deprived of what is rightfully theirs. In fact, they have been killed for asking for what is due them.

Noynoy is part of this social and economic elite, and cannot be expected to stand against them in favor of the poor. He has already shown this in the case of Hacienda Luisita.

4th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand the poor.

Reality check:

The poor make up the overwhelming majority of our people. They make up the greater part of a President's national constituency. Thus care for the poor should be a primary concern of any President.

Perhaps we cannot judge Noynoy harshly, because he has not experienced deep material poverty. If you have not been poor, you cannot truly empathize with the poor. That is why social workers at times live with the poor, to somehow become one of them, to experience what they experience.. He does not understand how the poor care for their relatives, even to the point of going into debt, or perhaps, even stealing. He does not understand the nobility of the poor. As with many who are rich and elite, perhaps he looks on the poor with disdain, considering them lazy, dirty, of no good to society. This might be unfair to Noynoy, but did he not in fact show no concern for the farmers of Hacienda Luisita? He even accused them of being communists when they rallied for their rights.

The most urgent need for our nation is the eradication of poverty. Noynoy cannot accomplish this because his heart is not with the poor. In fact, in desiring to eliminate corruption, would that not benefit the rich businessmen most? Then they will only grow richer, and the poor poorer.

5th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that reproductive health means abortion.

Reality check:

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said it again quite clearly: "You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion." It is the goal of the US government, together with powerful forces such as the European Union, elements of the United Nations, billionaire philanthropists, liberal media, homos**ualist forces, to force abortion on the whole world as a human right.

If Noynoy claims to be against abortion but for the RH bill, then he is either being naive or deceptive. Reproductive health promotes condoms, condoms fail and result in unwanted pregnancies, then women procure abortions. That is how it has happened in the US and elsewhere. It is a clever step-by-step process that the anti-life forces promote. If we accept the RH bill, abortion will not be far behind.

6th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he believes that EDSA is his birthright.

Reality check:

EDSA was a miracle of God. It belongs to all of us. It was a work of the Spirit that resulted in the dismantling of the Marcos dictatorship. God used Ninoy and Cory, but the glory belongs to God and the honor to the whole Filipino nation.

But Noynoy has appropriated the EDSA spirit for himself and his campaign. He is using the Laban sign, the color yellow (this is not the color of the Liberal Party), the songs, the slogans, even what his parents had done. What a blatant theft of what belongs to us! Now many Filipinos are distancing themselves from EDSA symbols simply because they are automatically looked on as pro-Noynoy. What a shame! What a disservice to the nation. Noynoy is destroying that most loved Filipino treasure that is EDSA.

Further, Noynoy is clueless in thinking that because his parents are revered, he now deserves to be President.

7th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he thinks his good intentions are enough to govern the country.

Reality check:

To be an effective President, one needs experience, political will, intelligence. One cannot just have good intentions. One cannot just be uncorrupt. One must be prepared, with a working platform of governance. One must hit the ground running on Day One, and not have to learn the ropes while in office. One must not just rely on subordinates and hangers on, but must have a clear vision and know what to do.

Noynoy has no executive experience. His legislative experience includes not passing any bill at all. He has no performance to speak of. As Congressman and Senator, he has not made any positive impact on behalf of his constituencies or the nation. Simply put, he is a non-performer.

8th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not understand that to be effective as President, he has to work with other powers-that- be, and so he should show respect.

Reality check:

The Presidency does not exist by itself in the political system. In fact, the legislature and the judiciary are equal partners in governance. Then there are other economic and social forces.

Noynoy belittled the Church when Cardinal Vidal took him to task for being pro-RH bill. He threatened the Supreme Court justices with impeachment if they accepted the appointment of a Chief Justice. He attacks President Arroyo even if she is not a candidate for President (and blatantly claims that he is the only real opposition). He maligns his main political opponent, making wild and unfounded claims, with half-truths and outright lies. He ridiculed a political pollster when the findings showed Villar closing in on him. He accuses the Comelec of imagined irregularities. He stokes conflict between the chiefs of the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police. He makes it his priority to prosecute GMA.

Noynoy is a divisive person. He attacks and maligns, often without good basis. He creates enemies instead of trying to win them over. He is disrespectful, of good people and important institutions. In a political system as we have in the Philippines, that is a sure way to division and disunity.

9th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he still has the EDSA hangover and has no qualms about not following the rule of law.

Reality check:

The rule of law, flawed as it might be at times, is crucial to a democracy. EDSA is an extraordinary experience, perhaps never to be repeated again.

Noynoy has no qualms about not following the rule of law. In his disagreement with the appointment by GMA of a Chief Justice, he has resorted to threats and demonstrations, instigating his followers in the latter. He has threatened the justices with impeachment. In contrast, the Nationalista Party, also disagreeing with GMA's potential action, took the issue to the Supreme Court as an appeal to its decision.

Noynoy does not see that an extraordinary extra-judicial move is not a first option, but the last. When we discard the rule of law, we are well on our way to chaos.

10th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what is good for the economy or the nation.

Reality check:

Taxes are the lifeblood of the nation. Without adequate taxes, there would be no resources with which to run government and serve the people.

Noynoy immediately announced that he would not raise taxes (he later backtracked) . He was either playing up to the businessmen and the people, or he was totally naive. After GMA, the coffers would be empty. He would first enforce collection, and cut down on tax evasion and corruption. But if these were not enough, he would have to raise taxes. Now that is being open, sincere and wise.

Noynoy either does not know how to run the government, or is impulsive and does not think issues through well enough, or practices the old politics of making promises that cannot be kept. In any way, he is not fit to be President.

11th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not know what the Presidency entails, how awesome a task it is.

Reality check:

Being President is an awesome responsibility. While many are legally qualified to run for President, only a few can really do well as President. Part of being qualified is the actual experience of governance, preferably from the bottom up.

Let us look at Hacienda Luisita. It is a large piece of land, it has economic activity, it has poor people working (or out of work), it has a social system, it has the entrenched elite (the owners), it has management-labor problems. It could be a microcosm of the Philippines. Now what good has Noynoy done, as one of the owners and as the scion of the Cojuangco clan? He claims he owns only 1%, but that is evading the moral responsibility that would be expected of someone who aspires to be President of the Philippines. And in fact, was he not head of their security agency when there was the killing of farmers? Did he not malign and fault the farmers as being communists? Did he not oppose the granting of land to the farmers as was the original agreement of the Cojuangcos with the government?

Now he says that if elected President, he would look to distributing the land. What? Elect you first before you act? Why not do it now? This is just another empty promise, playing up to the gallery, just like the vow not to raise taxes.

Noynoy looks to his own and his family/clan's well-being, not to that of the poor farmers. He looks to the interest of the small minority rather than the greater majority. He cannot be trusted to be able to run the nation, or to do justice to its poor.

12th reason why Noynoy is clueless: he does not realize that in resorting to half-truths and lies in his effort to malign his major political opponent, he is acting in a very unchristian way.

Reality check:

The Philippines is a Christian nation. Noynoy professes to be a Christian Catholic. As Christians we are all children of God. But one who lies becomes a child not of God but of Satan, who is the father of lies.

It is wrong to say that anything goes when it comes to politics. That is what makes politics dirty, which it should not be.

Noynoy's political opponents has kept the high ground in this campaign. He sticks to issues, not malicious attacks. He does not retaliate, even in the most blatant lies thrown against him, but just patiently and calmly explains. It can be done! Even in disagreement, there should always be respect.

We need a true Christian as President of the Philippines, one who has integrity and is a peacemaker. Noynoy unfortunately does not fit the bill.

The Beauty 01 May 10, 06:43 PM

Very well said! I hope your comments will reach all people especially those who are not really expose to internet and those who doesn't have time to research... Sa pamamagitan ng ganitong klaseng forum, unti unti akong naliliwanagan. Sana lahat magkaroon ng pagkakataon na mabasa ang ikinomento mo, EMIL! Para magkaroon ang lahat ng tunay na PAG-ASA na makakaahon tayo sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng taong may tunay na paninindigan, responsable at may subok na kakayahan!! CHECK!!!!!

emil 30 April 10, 12:02 AM

@ guildmage: Then managing NOTHING or have not done anything has an edge? think not....

Genyumaru 22 April 10, 12:27 AM

christian 22 April 10, 01:33 AM

Sorry po pero hindi po iyon ang konsepto ko ng leftist.. Ang konsepto ko po ng leftist ay ganito..May mga taong sarado mag-isip. Kung ano ang panig nila, doon lang sila and think na lahat ng binebwelta ng kabila eh masama na or against sa kanila. Sarado ang isip, bukas lang sa pinaglalaban nila.

Secondly: Trademark din po ng administrasyon ang pagiging kurakot. Naniniwala po ako na hindi maganda ang kombinasyon ng goal nila at ang pagiging kurakot. Profit Maximization para sa sarili. May kilala po akong employee ni Mr. Villar at hanga po tlaga ako kung paano pinapatakbo ang kanyang kompanya saka ang rules at regulations sa kanila.

Third: Sorry po, kayo na po ang matalino, magaling mag-english at kayo na po ang may common sense at isang pares ng mata. May tanong po ako para sa inyo:
Ano po ba ang qualifications niyo sa isang presidente?

christian 22 April 10, 01:45 AM

At salamat po pala sa pagtawag ng 't*nga' sa akin. :D Mas malakas po ang naging impact ng inyong mensahe.

christian 22 April 10, 01:53 AM

saka paano po kayo nakikisigurado na wala ng magproprotekta sa interes ng mamayan? Marahil eh nawalan na kayo ng hope sa ating mga opisyal. Kung ganyan ho ang pag-iisip ninyo. Tingin ko ho ay wala kayong ib***to ngayong Mayo.

May self imposed rule po ako sa management: Efficiency and Effectiveness sa ganyan po sa tingin ko nagkakaparehas ang gobyerno at kompanya, kasi kung hindi efficient and effective ang lider ng isang kompanya, hindi din efficient and effective ang kompanyang ito.

Gayun din po. kung sa gobyerno, kung hindi efficient and effective ang mamumuno, hindi din efficient and effective ang gobyerno.

kung may tao pong tumatakbo ngayon na efficient and effective, tingin ko po may edge siya for being a leader

christian 21 April 10, 11:37 AM

Erratum:
gives=give
has=have

nina 22 April 10, 05:59 AM

Uh Genyumaru, actually, you're the one who has absolutely no clue about what you're saying.

I quote ,"the desire for efficiency, results, profits, statistics (which is the hallmark of the present administration) is what screws up most of our fellow Filipinos at the lower income brackets." Duh???

I'm sorry, but quite frankly this is one of the dumbest comments I've read so far in these response sections, even more so because of the attempt to make it appear "intellectual".

Need I even spell it out? The reason our public sector is ineffective is because it is inefficient. That is why our bureaucracy is in a mess. And you're saying that the desire for efficiency and results is screwing up the lower income brackets? Efficiently run companies should result in better income and better pay, and thus happier employees. And an efficiently run government should leave no loopholes for corruption, collect 100% of its taxes, get its project done on time, etc., etc. In short, that is precisely what we should aim for!

I don't know what sort of exposure you have had with regard to that word, but clearly, you got the wrong idea.

The Beauty 01 May 10, 06:48 PM

Hello!!!! Tignan mo nga mabuti ang credentials ng Presidentiable bet mo!!! Hangang hanga ka sa taong ilang taon ng nanunungkulan pero wla naman nagawa!!! Ay meron pala! Pagtakpan ang Hello Garci at patuloy na ipagkait ang Hacienda Luisita sa mga kaawa-awang magsasaka na nakikipaglaban para dito.... TANONG LANG PO - SAAN NAPUNTA ANG PORK BARREL NA TAON TAONG BINIBIGAY SA KANYA NG GOBYERNO KUNG KAHIT ISANG BATAS WALA PALA SYANG NAGAWA????????? Sana lang kasama kang nakinabang don para naman sulit ang pagtatanggol mo sa kanya no???

How to Vote in An Automated Election

Voters might be intimidated by the fancy technology used for the 2010 Presidential elections. Hopefully, this quick guide on the automated elections will make the procedure less confusing... read more

How to prepare for election day

Is there a glimmer of hope in the automated election? A least a dozen things can go wrong... read more

Selecting a Presidential Candidate

A poll of 2,068 voters at Yahoo! Purple Thumb, (as of April 1, 2010) shows there are 31% who have not chosen a presidential candidate... read more