8th in a series on ANC's presidential youth forum at De La Salle University, January 29, 2010

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MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidates, except for former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and former Senate President Manuel Villar, vowed on Friday to go after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she finally steps down from office.

Of the 8 contenders who participated in the ANC presidential youth forum held in De La Salle University in Manila, only Teodoro and Villar gave passive replies on whether they would hold Arroyo responsible for all her alleged misdeeds during her 9 years in office.

Teodoro is the administration’s candidate while Villar, who has allied himself with the opposition, is the standard-bearer of Nacionalista Party (NP).

Asked by host Ted Failon what Mrs. Arroyo should be held to account for after her term ends in June, Villar noted that stalwarts of the NP led the probes in the "Hello Garci" election scandal, the botched $329 million NBN-ZTE telecommunications deal, and the jueteng controversy where she and her husband were linked to illegal gambling payoffs.

“Ito po ay ilan lamang sa mga posibleng iharap ko sa ating pangulo kapag siya ay bababa,” Villar said.

But then, Villar pointed out that is there is separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary, adding that he “will not lift a finger to defend President Arroyo against any charges on her.”

Expectedly, Teodoro refused to categorically answer the question, pointing out that his association with the administration prevents him from having an objective position on the issue. He added, however, that he will “let justice be done.”

Clear stand of 6 aspirants

In contrast, 6 other aspirants said they would actively go after the outgoing president, who may face a deluge of cases--from corruption to human rights violations--when her term ends on June 30.

Liberal Party bet Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino Jr. stressed the need for “closure” in these scandals that have rocked the Arroyo government. He added that there is a need to restore confidence in the institutions that Arroyo has supposedly “destroyed.”

Independent candidate Nicolas Perlas said he would create a commission, with representatives from civil society, to look into these cases. 

Ang Kapatiran party bet JC delos Reyes said Arroyo should face the music on the NBN-ZTE telecommunications deal, fertilizer fund mess, extra-judicial killings, and misuse of the road user’s tax.

He said he will make sure “the evidence is strong,” and that due process should be observed.

Independent candidate Senator Jamby Madrigal said a case of plunder should be filed against Arroyo, and she vowed to use “all the might of the State in prosecuting her."

If elected, Bangon Pilipinas movement bet Bro. Eddie Villanueva vowed in his first 100 days to make Arroyo account for the scandals that have emerged during her term.

Senator Richard Gordon, meanwhile, said he would create a “special commission” to handle all these controversies.

Aquino nixes Villar

Villar’s passive position drew a rebuke from rival Aquino, who said that a leader should take a definitive stance on the Arroyo government's wrongdoings.

“Dapat meron tayong paninindigan. Tama o mali, ikaw ang magdidikta sa buong gobyerno kung uusigin o hindi,” Aquino said.

Aquino also attacked Villar’s statement that he will not lift a finger to defend Arroyo, which, he said, raises questions where his political position really rests.

“Tayo ba ay nagpanatili sa sistema na iyon o tinutulan ang mali. Tingan po ang aming mga record,” Aquino said.

At the height of the "Hello Garci" scandal in 2005, while his NP lieutenants were in the forefront of the probe, Villar chose to kept silent on the ouster moves against Arroyo. Villar eventually did not take any position.

Villar actually drew first blood in his ongoing war of words against Aquino when he justified his massive campaign spending even before the official campaign period begins on February 9.

Political advertisements

Asked about his position on controlling campaign expenses, Villar said political ads should be allowed to let less popular candidates level the playing field vis-a-vis those who are celebrities or have celebrity connections.

“Dapat nating isipin na hindi natin dapat isara ang pagkakataon ng mga mahihirap na hindi celebrity, na walang kapatid ng celebrity para naman sila ay makilala. Napakahalaga nito dahil kawawa naman iyong mga walang pag-asa na sumikat,” Villar said.

In justifying his massive political ad spending, Villar said he could not match the popularity of a celebrity, obliquely referring to Aquino’s sister, Kris, who is one of the biggest product endorsers in the country.

“Wag natin isara ang ating pintuan sa mga mahihirap na nais lang naman na mamuno sa ating bansa, kawawa naman din sila,” Villar said.