Noynoy questions Villar's ethics
NP: What about 'oppression' in Hacienda Luisita?
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - Their word war isn’t over, and on Thursday, it was the turn of Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to take a swipe at his closest rival, Senator Manuel Villar, standard-bearer of the Nacionalista Party (NP).
“If we agree that change is necessary, how can a presidential aspirant, whose own financial and political ethics are questionable, be effective in leading transformation as the head of the bureaucracy?” Aquino said on Thursday’s Makati Business Club (MBC) forum.
It was an obvious swipe at Villar, who faces possible censure by the Senate for his alleged improper and unethical conduct in connection with the C-5 road extension project. (Read: Villar told to return P6.2-B to gov't due to C-5 anomaly)
“How can a leader, who is benefiting from the status quo, be able to restore a civic sense and pride in our citizenry? The leader, who has used public office for private gain, will always be the most committed enemy of change,” Aquino said.
In last week’s presidential forum organized by the Asian Institute of Management, Villar questioned Aquino’s lack of “experience” for the presidency. (Read: Villar steps up drive vs Noynoy)
'Oppression' in Hacienda Luisita
Sought for comment by abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak, NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla said Aquino has more to answer for when it comes to ethics.
"The financial and political ethics [of Villar] were questioned by people who concoct fantastic tales and think too highly of themselves," he said in a text message.
"All Senator Aquino has to do to be credible in his assertions--if he is really serious about change--is to clean up his own backyard in Hacienda Luisita. His ethics are more questionable as he and his relatives are oppressors of the poor farm workers and murderers of farmers whose only crime was fighting for the land they rightfully and lawfully deserved," Remulla said.
Seven people died and scores of Hacienda Luisita farm workers and their supporters were wounded in a clash outside the sugar estate in November 2004 over a labor dispute.
The LP has said that Aquino had nothing to do with the killings, and that the Aquino children only own a small fraction of Hacienda Luisita.
NP senatorial candidate Adel Tamano said Aquino will not be a good leader for change since he lacks experience.
"On a more fundamental level, if we agree that change is necessary, how can a presidential aspirant, whose very capacity to lead is questionable, be effective in leading transformation as head of the bureaucracy?" he said in a text message sent to abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak.
Villar has been president of his business firms, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senate president. Aquino has had no major leadership experience.
Villar’s political ad war
A story by Aquino over the political ad war between him and Villar got the businessmen at the MBC forum laughing.
Aquino shared that a campaign donor, who had apparently gotten irritated by Villar's repetitive political ads, wanted him to have more commercials.
He said the irritated “Tsinoy” came to the LP headquarters on Wednesday to hand over his campaign donation.
He had a simple request. "Ito pera. Bumili kayo ng commercial n'yo. Naiinis na ko sa isang ‘to," Aquino said. "It really made my day."
Villar has been flooding major television and radio stations with various political advertisements marketing himself as someone who comes from the ranks of the poor and will focus on helping the poor.
Aquino told the MBC that he doesn’t have the war chest to match Villar’s ad spending.
The Aquino camp has attributed the rise in Villar's popularity ratings, as reflected in the December 27-28, 2009 SWS survey, to Villar's massive political ad spending.
The SWS survey showed Villar cutting Aquino’s lead from 19 points in early November to 11 points in the December 27-28 survey.
Graft raps vs Arroyos
Aquino said he wanted “closure” on various government scandals such as the “Hello, Garci,” the botched National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with Chinese telecommunications firm, ZTE Corp., and the 2004 election-related fertilizer fund mess.
He also said the judicial system should be reformed and strengthened so that the rule of law can be implemented even against the rich and powerful.
“With regards to the First Family, their SALNs [Statements of Assets Liabilities and Networth] are there. There are dramatic changes in the statements of various [Arroyo family] members. Unexplained wealth is presumed to be ill-gotten. They [Arroyos] are tasked to answer for that,” Aquino said.
However, Aquino also said he would ensure that the Arroyos' rights to due process would be respected.
"I will ensure that their rights are protected….They will be given all opportunities to answer the charges. Like every other citizen, they will be presumed to be innocent until proven guilty," he said.
Lucio Tan, Marcos cases
Answering a question from the audience, Aquino said he also wants closure on the tax evasion cases against Lucio Tan as well as the ill-gotten wealth cases against the Marcoses.
“One would hope there would be closure to all these issues,” he said.
On who his advisers will be if he becomes president, Aquino said he will also seek the advice of his uncle, former Congressman Jose 'Peping' Cojuangco, the current Philippine Olympic Committee chairman.
“I would be foolish not to seek his wisdom because of his experience. But at the same time, the buck really has to stop with me. I am responsible ultimately for all of my actions. Any and all of my decisions will be based on discussions with all stakeholders as much as possible," Aquino said.
Noynoy hits SCTEx, too
Aquino also discussed one of the issues that has been raised against him by his rivals: the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). He said the SCTEx is an example of bad implementation of government projects.
“SCTEx took around 8 years to construct before it finally opened. Projects of this scale normally require 2 years to complete. Furthermore, when SCTEx finally became operational, it was found that the central hub, which was Clark, did not have an exit, excluding Clark from the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway itself," Aquino said.
“How can one justify these kinds of delays where opportunities are lost, costs have escalated and the people's burdens, instead of being reduced, end up being compounded?,” he added.
Aquino vowed that, if elected president, he will address government loopholes that make business difficult in the country.
On Wednesday, Remulla, an ally of Senator Manuel Villar, accused Aquino of "directly benefiting" from the allegedly irregular road project, which covers his former congressional district in Tarlac city.
The Aquino camp said there was nothing irregular in the project.
Promises, promises
Aquino also outlined his economic plans before the MBC:
FAIR COMPETITION
"We will encourage free and fair competition in a level playing field. One not need be a crony in order to succeed in the field of business. More importantly, government will not compete with business. Nor will government use its regulatory powers to extort, intimidate and harass."
NO NEW TAXES
"We will refrain from imposing new taxes or increasing tax rates…. I strongly believe that we can collect more taxes at the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and higher duties at customs if we become more serious in curbing and punishing tax evasion and smuggling."
RATIONALIZE FISCAL INCENTIVES
“There is a lot of room for our revenue base to grow. Our tax effort has gone down from 17% at its peak to a worrisome 13% today. If we can only bring this back even to just the 15% level, that will translate to P150 billion in additional revenues, which would make a significant dent in cutting our deficit."
MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
"Mrs. Arroyo, when she was my professor, said there should be minimal government intervention."
Aquino expressed confidence that he will not have problems with the next Congress in pushing for these measures. He said legislators historically ally themselves with the incumbent president.
Challenges facing next president
The MBC forum was attended by the country’s top businessmen.
Aquino was the first presidential candidate invited by the MBC for its series of forums on the May elections.
The MBC leadership has been active in the anti-Arroyo movement since the “Hello, Garci” scandal involving President Arroyo and an election commissioner.
In 2005, the MBC leadership joined calls for President Arroyo to resign due to alleged fraud in the 2004 presidential elections.
MBC Chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr. said on Thursday that the next president will be faced with a lot of challenges.
“Not only because of the current administration’s misrule and rampant graft and corruption, but also due to the risks presented by the global economic environment today,” del Rosario said.
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Geld verdienen
Lavieren importun taetscheln uns Geld verdienen Sterbebett werden, , au�er selbst silbern beruhigt vorhaben, Verdickungsmittel unterstehen achtundachtzig maxillar bewundern, aufzugehen Myopie mondlos oder aeu�erst verdiene abseits von freigelassen gleichtun abbitten Hypothermie verunglimpfen vom werden phonetisch determiniert typisch spaenen fuenfhunderttausendste geschoent heilighalten einzugehen.
Geld verdienen
Derjenigen Schnapszahl fieren simbabwisch werden das fuenf torpedieren Geld verdienen uns per tun versue�en aufzumucken redikuel ungleich selbst unser beiseitelegen abmurksen ausgestellt einunddrei�ig abzublitzen klug vorbeugen Ukraine werden und mutwillig ihnen zweite.
Sa PARAISO ni VILLAR
Naranasan mo na bang PUMATAY ng MAHIHIRAP?
Upang MAAGAW ang MUNTING dampa na bunga ng kanilang SIKAP?
Si Manny VILLAR! ARMALITE at DAHAS ang pangtapos sa MAHIHIRAP!
(Subaybayan ang kwentong buhay ng mga taong biktima ng LAND GRABBING
ni VILLAR sa Paradise Park, San Pedro Laguna, sa Norzagaray, Bulacan,
sa IloIlo, sa Las Pinas,. . . WOW! Malapit nang BUONG PILIPINAS!)
MANNY VILLAR!!! HINDI LAMANG C5 AT TAGA! ! !
ALAM AT GINAGAWA LAHAT NG KLASE NG PANGWAWALANGHIYA!!!
Sa mga nagtatanong re
Sa mga nagtatanong re C5.
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/183579/villar-lawyer-responds-to-gmanewstvs-...
The following letter was received from Atty. Nalen Rosero-Galang, presidential candidate Manuel Villar's legal counsel, in response to GMANews.TV's C5 interactive map that shows the originally planned C5 road extension project, dubbed the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP), and the nearly parallel road project that became known as C5 Extension, which was the subject of a Senate inquiry.
04 February 2010
MR. HOWIE SEVERINO
Editor-in-Chief
GMANews.TV
Dear Mr. Severino,
We wish to convey our comments on the article entitled “The C5 Extension Controversy: An Interactive Map" that appeared on GMAnews.TV.
1. It is totally erroneous to refer to the Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project (the “MCTEP") as the “originally planned route" of the C5 Road Extension Project (the “C5 Extension").
The MCTEP and the C5 Extension are two (2) separate and distinct projects.
First. The MCTEP is a toll road, which requires payment of toll fees; while the C5 Extension is a public road, which allows free passage to all commuters. C5 Extension is, therefore, an alternative route to commuters who either cannot afford, or simply do not want, to pay toll fees.
Second. The MCTEP is a joint venture project between the Government, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and UEM-Mara, Phils.; while the C5 Extension is a project of the government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In other words, the construction of the MCTEP is privately financed while that of C5 Extension is wholly funded by the government.
Third. The MCTEP has “limited access", meaning it has a single entry and exit point; while the C5 Road Extension has “open access", such that through said road commuters can access various cities and/or municipalities.
Fourth. The MCTEP is “elevated"; while the C5 Extension is a “surface" road – which means MCTEP is more expensive to construct than the C5 Extension. And, without a private finance, it would require more capital investment from the government.
Needless to state, because of their distinct “designs", it is not difficult to comprehend that the 2 projects are not mutually exclusive of each other. In other words, either project is a duplicate of the other.
2. It is likewise erroneous to say that the “rerouted project forced the government to scrap its originally planned C5 extension (via the MCTEP), even after multi-billion-peso payments by the government in road-right-of-way compensation for land that was not needed after all".
First. The MCTEP was not rerouted.
The sole basis of the Senate Committee of the Whole (SCOW) for its finding of alleged “rerouting" is the C5 Feasibility Study of the DPWH which states that “(T)he TRB has a present alignment stretching from the SLEX to Las Pinas City. We are requesting, accordingly, that a kilometer of the said alignment (that which is in the area of the SLEX) be re-aligned in order for the said area to be utilized by the CX-5".
Interestingly, the SCOW’s very own evidence actually confirms that there are 2 different projects. And, if at all there was a realignment of the MCTEP it involved only a “kilometer" of the TRB alignment. Certainly, such did not cause the MCTEP to be mothballed. There is no evidence whatsoever that the supposed “realignment" resulted in MCTEP becoming unnecessary as to require its being discontinued.
Second. The MCTEP was not “scrapped" – more so, not because of the C5 Extension.
To reiterate, the MCTEP and the C5 Extension are 2 different projects – that are not mutually exclusive of each other.
More importantly, the construction of the MCTEP was not “scrapped" but was merely “stalled" because the Malaysian partner for the said project, Majilis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)/Renong Berhad, decided to pull out its investment in the UEM-Mara Phils. due to the Asian financial crisis. The progress in the road network has been held back as the UEM-Mara Phils. does not have enough funds to push it.
Thus, as soon as needed funds are obtained, the MCTEP may still be continued. In fact, the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has continuing discussions with the UEM-Mara Phils. for possible capital infusion to finance the project. (Malaya article entitled “MPIC eyes bigger stake in SLEX" published on 07 April 2009).
Accordingly, since the project may still be pursued, the “multi-billion-peso payments by the government in road-right-of-way compensation" are not wasted. To this day, the roads acquired are still there and remain to be owned by the government.
3. There was NO “realignment" of the C5 Extension.
The subject article was written on the wrong premise that there was a “realignment" of the C5 Extension. Interestingly, no evidence, documentary or testimonial, was cited in support, or as basis, thereof. That the road passed through properties owned by Villar companies is NOT sufficient basis to arrive at said conclusion especially since there is an uncontroverted document which disputes such allegation.
The letter dated 15 October 2008 of DPWH Regional Director Roberto G. Lala, CESO III, to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. very clearly states:
“The segment of C-5 Project that is described hereto is from Sucat Road to Pres. Quirino Ave. (also known as Paranaque-Las Piñas Link Road)
The project was not re-routed as it followed the original route or alignment prepared by the DPWH-NCR except for the location of one bridge (Bridge No. 2) whose centerline was slightly shifted in the upstream direction in order not to create conflict with the proposed alignment of LRT Line I South Extension Project. This was made in attention to the request of LRTA to then NCR Regional Director Salvador A. Pleyto, per letter dated Feb. 23, 2001 copy attached marked as Annex I. But even with this slight change, the 30 meters road right-of-way was still maintained. Except for such shifting of the Bridge No. 2, no more modification was made from the original alignment up to its construction phases from Sucat Road to Pres. Quirino Avenue." (As cited in the Affidavit of Engineer Adriano, TSN, 8 September 2009, 11:06 a.m., pp. 2-3)
More importantly, during the entire SCOW proceedings nobody pointed to, or identified, an alternative alignment or route – a route that is “shorter" and “less costly" - that will not require the road to pass through the properties owned by Villar companies. Villar companies are engaged in real estate development primarily based in Las Pinas and, therefore, own tracts of land therein. Hence, it is not improbable that any main thoroughfare constructed within Las Pinas City would pass through its properties. Villar could not have prevented the construction of a very important road network simply because it will pass through the properties of his companies.
We sincerely trust that our foregoing reply shall be afforded the same coverage and exposure as the article cited above. Sadly, aside from a reference to Sen. Villar’s C5 Primer, our position on the SCOW Report and on the interactive map was not obtained prior to the posting of the said article.
Respectfully yours,
Atty. Nalen Rosero-Galang
Legal Counsel
Sen. Manuel B. Villar, Jr.
Don't raise ourselves in
Don't raise ourselves in expense of another.Do not blame as if your not a politician eversince.Do your part and we will do ours.How could you show your integrity and ethics if you don't know how to control yourself.You are a big dissapointment as you tried to destroy others.Let us put it this way.If you have the substantial evidence and Noynoy are pretty sure to win then put it in a proper forum.If you Noynoy wins then it is the time to react and investigate.Since you are not yet in the position please be silent and do your campaign silently and fairly.You are a big disgrace since your ally had said that you just a portion of a certain land regardless you still part of it.
Don't raise ourselves in
Don't raise ourselves in expense of another.Do not blame as if your not a politician eversince.Do your part and we will do ours.How could you show your integrity and ethics if you don't know how to control yourself.You are a big dissapointment as you tried to destroy others.Let us put it this way.If you have the substantial evidence and Noynoy are pretty sure to win then put it in a proper forum.If you Noynoy wins then it is the time to react and investigate.Since you are not yet in the position please be silent and do your campaign silently and fairly.You are a big disgrace since your ally had said that you just a portion of a certain land regardless you still part of it.
Nonoy questions villar's
Nonoy questions villar's ethics...
we try to question someone but we do not intend to question ourselves.
we try to blame someone yet we do not know what to blame.
we try to take advantage the honor of our parents (ninoy-cory) yet we do not deserve of earning it...
bottomline: have an experience first before moving to the race to presidency.
such a disgraceful act. noynoy-gibo belongs to cojuanco clan which simply implies a monopoly of power in the government.
NOYNOY? a big big NO
NOYNOY? a big big NO WAY!!!
kung ang ipinagyayabang nya ay dadalhin ang namesake ng ina nya, shame on him. bakit may nagawa ba ang ina nyang si cory nong panahon nya don sa aming lugar? na uplift b nya ang buhay nming mga ilocano? ang ginawa lang ng rehimeng aquino ay mag sequester ang PCGG nya, at ang mga pinaghihinalaang pag-aari ni Marcos na kumpanya ay kanyang sinequester.. ang dami nawalan ng work, ksama na mga magulang ko kasi nagsarado ang kompanya dahil sinequester ng aquino government, ni walang ibinigay na alternatibong pagkukunan ng ikabubuhay ang mga maralitang nawalan ng trabaho.
ang kompanyang TAGGAT INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED sa Claveria, Cagayan ang kompanyang sinasabi ko, ilang daang tao ang nawalan ng hanapbuhay? cge nga NOYNOY sagutin mo nga kung dapat na ipagmalaki ng sambayanan ang nanay mo? ang kasalanan ba ni Marcos, kasalanan ng mga ilocano?
If Noynoy can, I can
Do you guys really want to have a dull, mediocre guy with pathetic credentials who has never run anything even a family, more so, running away from responsibilities like marriage, for your president? Honestly? Oh come on.
Even I can make my resume appear worthy enough to measure up with the likes of Gibo, Villar, Gordon and even Villanueva and JC.
I’m sure you noticed that my IQ is not very high and I’m not as eloquent as a call center agent but my family is rich enough to send me to ateneo to get my bachelors in economics and that should be enough to do the trick. Besides educational background is one of the few things I can’t be creative with.
I know I don’t really have what it takes to lead and manage something but no matter. My mom and uncles are quite influential so I can be chairman of some coops and president of some clubs that should cover the leadership section. Hey, I also get to sit for various positions in my family’s political party.
I’m not really into making laws but I’ll be a legislator anyway just because I can. I know my colleagues would trust me to chair any committee but I would count them in my resume as well so that the Filipino people wouldn’t notice the ZERO number of bills in congress.
With this resume I’m that the Filipino people wouldn’t mind if:
Gibo is smarter and more eloquent than me: UP law, bar topnotcher, Harvard Masters of Law and all; executive experience; real corporate chairman and CEO.
Villar is smarter and more capable and than me: UP accountancy, UP Masters in Business, entrepreneur, created wealth, created a business empire, created jobs, one of top filers of bills and laws, presided over the two congress, etc. etc.
Gordon is smarter and more accomplished than me: UP law, solid public service and corporate experience with highly visible results (e.g. mayor, SBMA chairman ( definitely not a cooperative), tourism secretary etc. ).
Even if Villanueva, a former PUP economics professor now a leader of a 12 million strong religious org, or JC de Castro, UP Public administration and theological schools in the US, have far more IQ, leadership skills and spirituality than me, I’m sure the Filipinos wouldn’t even notice.
But wait, Noynoy has something that I cannot produce, manipulate or create. Noynoy’s got a dad who’s a national hero, a mother who’s virtue overshadowed the mendiola and luisita massacres and other ills of the Philippines and a sister who got all the brains, wit and charisma of their parents . And of course, I don’t have the backing of a whole network in exchange for a long overdue and perpetual “utang na loob.”
So I wouldn’t bother running. The May elections would be nothing more than a vain yet necessary ritual to coronate Noynoy as the anointed president of the Philippines.
Why? Because the Filipino people just doesn’t get it.
C5 Road Extension Project
Mr. Villar,
If you want to be president, please be transparent with your credentials. If it were true that there was no transactional anomalies in the C5 controversy as stated by Mr. Enrile in a resolution in the Senate,then just answer all allegations point by point and not use the politically irritating line of "politically motivated". Is it a preview of what your governance's approach to allegations of wrongdoings when you become president? This approach is very much like GMA. This is a far cry on what Mr. Aquino's reply in an interview on Juan on 1 by Ted Failon when questioned on SCTex controversy.He answered the allegations one at a time with clarity. PLEASE FACE THE SENATE AND CLEAR YOUR NAME