Gibo talks security, but people hear politics
WASHINGTON DC - His American audience was scrutinizing Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro when he met top US officials, addressed one of America's most influential conservative think-tank, and broke bread with the Fil-Am community here.
Teodoro talked about security and RP-US ties, but reports he was being groomed as President Arroyo's successor, loomed large in the discussion and open forums.
"If I am nominated, I will run for president," he told a mixed audience at the Heritage Foundation.
The political kibitzing is heating up because his 2nd degree cousin, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, also announced he is seeking the presidency under the Liberal Party of his father, the martyred Ninoy Aquino Jr.
If that happens, observers here noted, Filipinos could witness an epic battle in Philippine politics.
Teodoro will run under the administration Lakas-KAMPI coalition.
The Liberal Party has been in the opposition since former strongman Ferdinand Marcos bolted the party in 1969 so he can run for president under the rival Nacionalista Party.
Both launched their political careers as congressmen in Tarlac - Teodoro for the 1st district and Aquino for the 3rd district. This is just the start of the sharp differences between the two cousins.
Aquino's late mother, democratic icon Corazon, and Teodoro's mother Mercedes, are members of warring wings of Central Luzon's powerful Cojuangco clan.
The conflict predates Martial Law; Cory Aquino's brother Jose also known as Peping, and that of Mercedes', Eduardo who's more popularly known as Danding, became bitter, sometimes violent protagonists.
The 1st district of Tarlac is an Ilocano-speaking district; the 3rd district is mostly Kapangpangan-speaking.
Aquino spent his elementary to college years in Ateneo; Teodoro earned his finance major degree from Dela Salle University. Ateneo and DLSU have a longstanding and storied rivalry that in the past spilled into melees after a basketball game.
But the biggest difference between the two prospective political gladiators is their values and beliefs. One has a deep liberal bent, the other lies more on the right of the political spectrum.
Teodoro signaled reporters here that he wants to use all these to lift the level of competition with his cousin.
"Look at it very objectively," he urged them, "I think this is a good thing because of the fact that we are cousins and we are friends."
"We got close only when we were in Congress because of the peculiar situation of our families. Knowing that, we will consciously uphold our being relatives and friends, so the effect will be that we will not allow politics to come between us," the defense chief said.
Message to Americans
The timing of Teodoro's visit appeared to be significant, coming at a time when America was marking the 8th anniversary of the 9-11 terror attacks in New York and Washington DC.
He met with Defense Secretary Robert Gates in the Pentagon, their second in as many months. A last-minute glitch prevented him from meeting with Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta but he did talk with his deputy at the sprawling, but highly restricted CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
At the Heritage Foundation, Teodoro did not hide his strong links to the US.
"My great-grandfather came from here to help build what is now Baguio City in the Philippines. My grandfather was among the first Filipino scholars to graduate from a United States college. My father spent 16 years in Washington DC. My mother studied in the United States and after she married my father, they spent many wonderful years in Washington before I was born. My wife grew up here; I studied here," he told the audience.
Teodoro earned his Masters of Laws from Harvard University and is actually licensed to practice law in New York.
And his message seemed just as assuring to the American public.
"It serves no doubt as a deterrent," he said relating to the close RP-US military alliance.
Teodoro declared his desire to keep American troops in the Philippines, despite protests calling for the abrogation or renegotiation of the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
"We believe the US presence is a cornerstone to regional peace and stability," he told reporters.
Although the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah threat in Mindanao is on the wane, he suggested hosting the US was part of the Philippine's responsibilities as a member of the bustling, burgeoning but highly vulnerable Southeast Asian region.
"Without the alliance the undesirable activities and threats could well be magnified," he argued.
China, he noted, was flexing its muscle in the region. But he underscored the need to engage with the Philippine's most powerful next-door neighbor, even as it keeps a wary high on its interests in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
"A strong Philippines is in the interest of the United States and all countries which value fundamental freedoms and individual liberties," Teodoro stressed.
He added the RP-US security alliance is ensuring that countries in the region "behave".
In his talks with the US defense chief, Teodoro said there was a mutual desire to build on the successes of joint counter terrorism operations in the Philippines.
They are already exploring the possible extension of US military support to the Philippines, from combating terror groups to disaster response - laying the groundwork for justifying the American military presence, apparently beyond the basic framework of the six-decade-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
"US troops can only be posted based on approved activities," Teodoro explained.
Shades of Magsaysay?
He scoffed observation that he can be a reincarnate of popular President Ramon Magsaysay.
Magsaysay also started his career as a congressman in 1946 who was appointed Secretary of National Defense in 1950. He went after the Hukbalahap with a strategy developed by American Gen. Edward Lansdale, reportedly a CIA agent.
In 1952, he visited Washington DC and New York. The next year, Magsaysay became the 3rd president of the Philippines. He helped craft the Manila Pact of 1954 that served as foundation for establishing the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), a US-led military alliance in the region.
"That's purely accidental," Teodoro said of his current post as a possible springboard to the presidency.
"The situation during the time of Magsaysay is very different from today. You heard the lecture at the National Defense University, the Philippines was facing only a Hukbalahap threat at the time, now we're facing several threats. The path is coincidental. My performance as Secretary of National Defense has motivated some people to endorse me to the position," he averred.
Teodoro has already indicated he will not accept the vice presidential post if he loses the Lakas-KAMPI nomination in November.
"There is a different calculation for my family. The decision my family will have to make is to see if a run for the vice presidency will be worth it. That's six years of sacrifice because I can not do things that I would otherwise do to help my family. Secondly, that's six years of uncertainty because when you're vice president, you worry what your next step will be. I want this to be over with, I want to move on after this," he declared, half in jest.
Healing president
If he wins, he wants to convene a Constitutional Convention immediately to erase any doubts about its motives.
"I am the only one talking about structural change," Teodoro declared.
"Good governance," he explained, "is not only a function of putting good men in government. The structures must be attuned to the needs of the country. That is the most pressing need today."
But perhaps more interesting to the present dispensation is his promise to be a "healing president".
"We have to put a stop to the politics of vengeance. I choose to look forward. Dispensing justice is the job of the judicial authorities. If a president dips his fingers in the prosecution of someone, especially if this was is his political enemy, that's vengeance. When he does that, he'll be spending 60 percent of his time looking over his shoulder that this will not happen to him too," Teodoro explained.
By design or merely a coincidence, that is a soothing message to - if he wins the May 2010 ballot - his predecessor who today, faces the threat of criminal and corruption cases that have been held at bay only because she has immunity while she is president.
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geld verdienen
Demjenigen belassen Geld verdienen Cyankalium lackieren versteifen, ungleich auszuixen werden.
i just want to address...
I just want to address and clarify some leading issues against Noynoy Aquino. Of course these are only my personal views and everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
On the issue of Hacienda Luisita:
Para sa ibang ginagamit ang isyu ng Hacienda Luisita, naintindihan ko ang "concerns" ninyo. Ngunit, nagdeklara na si Noynoy na bitawan ang pagaari nya. Para sa kaalaman ninyo, 1/32 lang ang pagaari ni Noynoy. Meron pang natirang tatlumpot-isang mayari na magdesisyon. Ang Hacienda Luisita ay isang korporasyon na may sariling legal na personalidad. Meron itong "Board of Directors" na nagbibigay ng desisyon base sa "rule of majority" ng mga "stockholders" o mga may pagaari. Maliwanag na legally, walang magawa ni Noynoy kung ayaw magbago ng pasya ang majority. Wala siyang magawa dahil yan ang batas ng korporasyon. Kaya minabuti na nyang bitawan ang kanyang "share" SO THAT THE STIGMA OF HACIENDA LUISITA WILL BE PUT TO REST ONCE AND FOR ALL AS FAR AS HE IS CONCERNED.
Ang paraan lang sana para mabago ang sistema ay amyendahan ang Constitution para maisaklaw kaagad ang Hacienda Luisita (and those similarly situated) sa reporma sa lupa. But then, ayaw din naman nating amyendahan ang Consitution or Cha-Cha. Nangangahulugan lang na kontento na tayo sa sistema, di ba? Sana makadagdag ito sa kaalaman ng ating mga kababayan so that we will have an INFORMED DECISION, ika nga.
On the issue of Political Dynasty
TO BE SURE, POLITICAL DYNASTIES ARE NOT BASICALLY BAD; SOME ARE GOOD AND WORTH EMULATING. THE ANTONINO'S OF DADIANGAS IS ONE GOOD EXAMPLE. EVEN PACMAN FOR ALL HIS GLORY FAILED TO DETHRONE THE DYNASTY MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE ANTONINO'S REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE AND EXEMPLARY TRACK RECORD. YONG MGA PROVEN,,,I REPEAT...PROVEN...CORRUPT DYNASTIES LANG ANG SALOT SA LIPUNAN...SO FAR, WALA PA SA RECORD NG MGA AQUINOS 'YON. MARAMI PANG IBANG MAGAGANDANG EHEMPLO GAYA NG MGA LOBREGAT'S IN ZAMBOANGA CITY AND THE CERILLES' IN PAGADIAN CITY. ITONG HULI NAGING DEPARTMENT SECRETARY PA NI ERAP NGUNIT PUMUNTA SA ADMINISTRASYON PERO WALA KANG MAKITANG BAHID NG CORRUPTION.
On the issue of Traditional Politician popularly known as TRAPO
THE SAME RATIONALE IN POLITICAL DYNASTY CAN BE SAID IN REGARDS TO TRAPOS. TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS ARE NOT NECESSARILY BAD. AGAIN, ONLY THOSE TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS WHO ARE PROVEN CORRUPT, ANG TUNAY NA MGA SALOT SA LIPUNAN. MAY NARINIG BA TAYONG AQUINO NA CORRUPT??? IF NOT, THEN WHATS THE RELEVANCE OF THIS ISSUE? MARAMING TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS NA NANANATILING MALINIS ANG PANGALAN HANGGANG MALAGUTAN NG HININGA. GOOD EXAMPLES ARE DIOKNO, TANADA, AT IBA PA. MAY MGA BUHAY PA AT AKTIBO SA POLITIKA HANGGANG NGAYON PERO ADVISERS NA LANG GAYA NG LIVING ICON NA SI SEN. SALONGA.
KAYA MALIWANAG NA WALANG KATUTURAN ANG MGA NABANGGIT NA MGA ISSUES, INSOFAR AS NOYNOY AQUINO IS CONCERNED. NAKIKITA NAMAN NG TAUMBAYAN NA NAUUBUSAN NA NG ISSUES ANG MGA KALABAN KAYA PATI PERSONAL APPEARANCE NI NOYNOY AY PINAGDISKITAHAN. LALO TULOY LUMAKAS ANG PANGALAN NIYA AT KAHIT PAPANO NAPATUNAYAN SA KASALUKUYANG POLITICAL SURVEY.
FINALLY, ON THE ISSUE OF THE CURRENT SURVEY WHICH NOYNOY CONVINCINGLY TOPPED, I MUST ADMIT THAT POLITICAL SURVEYS ARE NOT 100% RELIABLE YET, UNDENIABLY, THESE ARE VERY GOOD AND SERIOUS INDICATORS. DI KO NA KAILANGANG BANGGITIN PA YONG AMBIVALENT POSITIONS OF VILLAR AND ERAP ON POLITICAL SURVEYS. PROOF THAT MY OPINION IS RIGHT IS THE CANDID ACKNOWLEDGMENT/ADMISSI0N OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD PARTY WHICH INCIDENTALLY, THE PARTY OF GLORIA ARROYO. KUNG YONG TUNAY NA KALABAN NANINIWALA, TAYO PA KAYANG NAGBIBIGAY LANG NG ATING MGA KORO-KORO DITO? ISIPIN NYO NGANG MAIGE!
SANA MAGLIWANAG ANG ISIPAN NG MGA DETRACTORS NI NOYNOY AT GUMAWA NG SUBTANTIVE ISSUES AND CLEAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. SALAMAT SA PAGBASA MGA KABAYAN!
Bugok
Hindi hawak ni Teodora ang baha, at mga kalamidad ,pwersahin mo man ang mga tao na lumisan , may mga bumabatikos na mga politiko , pag may mangyari sisisihin ang goberno , mag isip karin kong ano ang mga pinagsasabi mo , sa dami ng sakuna sa Pinas hindi mo lahat maaatupag.
Sa Mindanao , gagwa ang militar ng hakbang , may mag babatikos,guiguirahin may magbabatikos, makikipag usap may mag babatikos, ang dapt mong pagalitan ang mga opposition dahil sila ang gumagawa ng mga kasinungalinga para iligaw ang walang mga utak nating mga kababaya na sumo supporta sa mga politikong tuyo na ang kanilang mga bulsa.
Basahin niyo ang mga qalification ng mga kandidato kong sino ang katanggap-tangap, katulad din sa ating mga OFW SINO ANG madaling tina tanggap,di ba ang may mga pinag aralan? ang magandang experiences?
KAYA GIBO TAYO PARA HINDI NA TAYO MALUKO SA MGA TRAPOS.
Mga Dynasty, Oligarchy, Family, Pare Parehong Nagpapayaman!!
Magmula pa nung panahon ng Kastila, iyang mga mayari ng malalaking lupa at mga nakaupo sa puwesto ay nagpapasasa lamang sa yaman ng ating bansa subali't wala po sa kanila yung makitang maging maunlad ang buong Pilipinas. Lagi silang nasa labas ng bayan sapagka't ayaw nilang malaman ng mga tao kung gaano karami ang kanilang pera, tinatago nila yan at dun sa states ginagasta para makabili ng mga mamahaling lupain, gusali at bahay bakasyunan.
Magiingat po tayo sa mga tayong labas nang labas ng Pilipinas sapagka't sa halip na lutasin ang problema ng ating mga kababayan ay dun sila sa ibayong dagat nagtutungo at nagpapasarap.
Matatamis na salita at madudulas na dila kung dumarating na ang eleksyon ay nanggagaling lamang sa mga politikong walang alam kundi ang payamanin ang sarili nila. Matuto na sana tayo at iboto yung talagang may magagawa para sa ating bayan!!
Tanungin po natin sila, ano ang balak nila kung sila'y manalo at paano nila lilinisin ang katakut takot na anomalya sa gobyerno?
let me just state my beliefs...
For those who doubt Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, let me just express my opinion. Gibo is one of those politicians with impressive and untainted record. His educational background is the best among the breed considering that he is a graduate from Harvard University. The only negative factor working against his chance to win is that he is lagging behind the "alleged surveys" mainly because of the fact that he is an administration candidate.
For those who doubt NoyNoy Aquino's ability to govern, let me just quote Sen. Pangilinan's words which are worth pondering thus:
According to Pangilinan, Aquino is not merely “riding on his parents legacy because he had nine years experience in the House and three years in the Senate.
“He has accomplished a lot but was not given enough credit precisely because of his unassuming nature..."
“He is better prepared to assume the presidency than his mother was 23 years ago when she led the struggle against the dictatorship. More than years of experience, IT IS STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND FORTITUDE that our nation needs today and we believe that Noynoy has the integrity, the grit and the guts to lead the nation.”
Let me just add that Noynoy filed and refiled a bill requiring the president's intelligence funds under COA audit yet, it was repeatedly blocked by the ruling majority. Now, you know how hard it is for an opposition congressman to achieve a very good accomplishment in Congress. Moreover, usually, it is not the politicians' ideas but the brainchild of their legislative staff who diligently make researches and draft bills to become a law. I am speaking this through experience because I was once a legislative staff officer of a former congressman. What I'm trying to say is that, there is really no point of comparison when it comes to accomplishment in Congress.
Land Reform???
Whether Noynoy or Gibo win the presidency, would you think that they could resolve the problematic Luisita estate that should have been the subject of land reform? Never!
The late Pres. Cory was not able to because of vested interest, how on earth will either Noynoy or Gibo even bother to ensure fairness when their family's estate is at stake?
I will vote either one of them if they could promise to distribute those land. Would they have the nerve? I doubt it very much!
Dynastic Rule?
Having read this article, one concern and a serious one struck into my mind - dynastic rule!
Whether Noynoy or Gibo win, the sure winners are the Cojuangcos, who may pretend to be protagonists but at the back are merely maintaining their dynastic rule.
I have now a serious thought of leaning to Noynoy.
The Filipino people should stop this dynastic tendency of strong families to rule 92 million Filipinos. We should slowly dismantle these very few rich families ruling the country and vote for those that come from the poor or middle sector of the society.
The names of Cojuangcos, Aquinos, Marcoses, Arroyos, Singsons, Estradas and other elite families should be avoided as they have not really entangled themselves with their family interests. They always protect their wealth, influences and businesses rather than the interest of their fellow majority Filipinos.
Look and vote for those politicians whose background are from the "masses", those who struggled so much to be in that position, not by gold, goons and guns but by their merits, dedications and unwavering love of the country, without blemish, without much wealth, but also with honor, dignity and delicadeza.
It such a disgrace that the elite families have been ruling this country for a long period of time, that their only interest is their family interest and maintaining of their status quo and further increasing their wealth, legal and illegal means.
Enough of these oligarchs!
Wala sa Lolo ko yan
"We got close only when we were in Congress because of the peculiar situation of our families. Knowing that, we will consciously uphold our being relatives and friends, so the effect will be that we will not allow politics to come between us," the defense chief said
As far as I know that relationship has been renounced way back then when Danding Conjuangco has chosen to be a Marcos crony. And this Teodoro guy is just jumping on the yellow army band wagon, trying to catch some attention for his personal agenda and boost his ranking. But what ever he does and what ever good governance he is saying he can not convince us. He started his political career with Danding’s party and he knows that he will be booted out of contention in his bid against Legarda or Escudero so why not change party for his own political gain wherein he knows he will be competing with a lame duck Bayani of Lakas-kampi, where is your loyalty pancho?. And I hope all of this presidential wannabes just stick to their party no matter where they are picking up after May 2010…I know for sure that most of them will be in the dumpsite. Balimbing special nominees are Atienza, pushing Noynoy to unify the LP that means we wanted a free ride too and Ronaldo Puno, as Miriam Defensor asking what was his secret serving from Ramos, Estrada and now the Midget administration
"My great-grandfather came from here to help build what is now Baguio City in the Philippines. My grandfather was among the first Filipino scholars to graduate from a United States college. My father spent 16 years in Washington DC. My mother studied in the United States and after she married my father, they spent many wonderful years in Washington before I was born. My wife grew up here; I studied here," he told the audience. Teodoro earned his Masters of Laws from Harvard University and is actually licensed to practice law in New York
And why is he telling their fairytale story to his audience here. Probably he is persuading Americans to vote for him since he needed back up plan as per survey he is fighting the bottom position with Bayani. What is his business being in the Philippines…aha in service of the Filipino people.
He scoffed observation that he can be a reincarnate of popular President Ramon Magsaysay
What !!! Are you nuts? Is that a fact or just a self proclaimed? This guy just doesn’t know what he is saying. Maybe the career paths are coincidental but look at Mindanao it is deteriorating under your watch as a Defense Secretary. President Magsaysay is different; you can not even go to a remote rebel infested location and dine with them. So please Teodoro cut off the rhetoric.
"We have to put a stop to the politics of vengeance. I choose to look forward. Dispensing justice is the job of the judicial authorities. If a president dips his fingers in the prosecution of someone, especially if this was is his political enemy, that's vengeance. When he does that, he'll be spending 60 percent of his time looking over his shoulder that this will not happen to him too," Teodoro explained.
By design or merely a coincidence, that is a soothing message to - if he wins the May 2010 ballot - his predecessor who today, faces the threat of criminal and corruption cases that have been held at bay only because she has immunity while she is president.
Well I guess you will be protecting those who abused their authority and power and that is not the kind of good governance we are looking for. We had enough of the Marcoses in which the Philippine Government failed to recover public resources and you will be letting the Arroyos walk away with their crime to humanity...utang na loob maghunos dili ka wag mo pairalin utang na loob mo sa mga magnanakaw o baka is a ka na rin sa kanila We are not seeking political vengeance to how you describe it but are hoping to have a government that will uphold justice and right to the Filipino people in which your administration have taken away. And at the end of the day, you will just be another NUISANSE candidate…just passing by. goooodbyee
If you get elected....
Will you prosecute GMA and don't forget her beloved number one crooked nubby Jose Migue lArroyo, but Ii doubt very highly that you won't. Therefore, we're better off voting for Noynoy, for sure GMA will be answering some pretty heavy stuff, starting from the ZTE, etc. No thanks Gibo!
Strong President
Ang kailangan natin ang matapang ,masigasig at hindi papa lamang sa kaalaman. Si Teodoro ay isang taong hindi mo pwedeng diktahan at may kakayahang mamuno.Mayaman na yan taong yan at walang dahilan parang kumurakot sa goberno.Yan ang kailangan nating Presidente,Tingnang mo si Noynoy ,ano ang dahilan para mapwersa siyang tumakbo ,dahil sa supporter ni Cory at Ninoy? Dahil sa mga alipores, Drillon, Soliman,Lozada? at ibang mga dating buaya sa governo? Hindi si Noynoy kusang may planong tumakbo dahil alam niya ang kanyang kakayahan,sinasamantala nila ang sitwasyon at sinamantala siya ng mga politiko.Hindi lahat ang may simpatiya kay Cory at Ninoy ay ganun din ang ibibigay nila kay Noynoy!!!Personal na pagkatao ng isang kandidato ang kailangan para iboto hindi yong pamana, sa lupa lang yan.Noynoy is not a strong person and not a strong president ,ang kanyang mga galamay ang siyang mag papabagsak sa kanya.Kaya mag isip-isip kayo.Pumili kayo ng presidente na kasing tapang at tunay na maipaglalaban ang ating bayan.Tayong mga mahihirap tayo ang dapat mag husga wag kayong padadala sa mga opportunista na nasa paligid ng mga kandidato dahil hindi yan sila naghihirap, TAYO ANG NAG HIHIRAP.