Presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe and former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II raise each others’ hands at the end of yesterday’s presidential debate. The photo is a screen grab from GMA 7 Youtube video.
Independent presidential candidate and Senator Grace Poe said on Sunday there is no proof that having a long experience as a public servant would make one best qualified for the presidency.
”There is no proof that if you have long experience, you are good. I think that among us, I might have the shortest experience but, as a mother, I can see the needs of a family,” Poe said during the first presidential debate held in Cagayan de Oro City.
Poe’s first-round critic, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, belittled the experience of Poe, saying the country needs “not an OJT (on the job) president.”
”How will we be able to know if we are being flattered? For me, experience is the best qualification of a president,” Roxas said.
Poe, in response, said she investigated in the Senate the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DOTC), two government agencies that Roxas handled before announcing his presidential bid.
”I think, you do not need long experience to know what is lacking in the government’s assistance for our people and if the assistance is consistent,” Poe said.
In her short experience in the government, Poe led the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and got the highest number of votes of 20 million to earn a seat in the Senate where she led high-profile investigations and passed important measures, including the Freedom of Information Bill.
Under her stewardship, the FOI bill hurdled the Senate but not the House of Representative, prompting her to promise during the televised debate that, if elected, her first executive order will be about FOI.
Poe said her experience as a teacher, although belittled by an opponent, would also be helpful for her to become a successful leader of the country.
”It is because a teacher has the real concern and teach us what is right or wrong and on what to do on certain topics,” Poe said.
”I might be new, but our problems are no longer new and many have long experience but their solutions are all the same,” she said in her closing statement.
Poe said she will also push for free student lunch in public schools and subsidies for the poorest farmers. (PNA / Jelly f. Musico)
In her opening statement, Poe said the debates are the proper way to inform the public about their candidates and for the people to understand what they can do once elected in May 9 polls.
She said there are already experienced politicians who led the country but Mindanao remains poor despite having the best products, particularly pineapple and banana.
”What we need is leaders with true compassion, determination, fast action and immediate solutions,” Poe said.
If elected, Poe said 30 percent of the national budget should go to Mindanao for the immediate solution to development.
She also intends to improve the power supply for Mindanao by rehabilitation the hydro power plants – Angus and Pulangi in Mindanao.
On Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s being a womanizer, Poe said the mayor should “restraint a little bit.”
”All of us commit mistakes, because we’re just human, but I always give respect whoever you are — men or women, LGBT. All of us should respect each other,” Poe said.
On the poverty and development which turned out as the hottest issue during the presidential debate, Poe promised to use the untouched Php70-billion coco-levy fund to help save the dying coconut industry.
”Let’s remember that an average age of coconut tree is six years old. We need replanting. Let’s use the coconut levy fund for our coconut farmers. Create livelihood like coco coir, coco oil, coco water and whatever added value for our farmers,” Poe said.
To improve the agriculture sector, Poe pushed for agro-industrial zones wherein the Departments of Trade and Agriculture will jointly market the products of the farmers.
”Let’s have soil testing. What is the added value that we can do to their lands? How we can increase their income. Irrigation should be free,” Poe said.
On the issue of the South China Sea, Poe agreed with Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States should have been approved by the Senate. The Supreme Court has declared EDCA as legal.
Poe said the Philippines should talk with China “constructively but let’s take a leadership role in the ASEAN so that we can follow a particular Code of Conduct that will be followed by the other countries in the ASEAN.”
On the peace process, Poe said she wanted to have a transparent, inclusive and sustainable talks and agreement with all the groups and sectors – Moro rebels, Maguindanaoan, Tausug, Maranao, Badjao, Indigenous People, and Christians.
While talking peace, Poe said all the projects in Mindanao should be implemented, including the long proposal to build the Mindanao Rail project which, she said, would require P70 billion.
On Duterte’s federalism proposal, Poe said she is open into it if it would make the country better but she prefers ‘devolution of powers’ wherein local governments have prerogative to spend funds.
The Mindanao presidential debate is one of the three such debates organized by GMA Network and the Philippine Daily Inquirer in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The next two debates will be held in the Visayas and Luzon. (PNA Jelly F. Musico)
Tell us your thoughts on this article. If logged in with any of your Wordpress.com, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or registered on this site before, then you can simply write your comment below. Thanks and appreciate your feedback. Cancel reply
Her story resembles that of a script lifted direct from a tele-novela. This video is another installment in our continuing coverage of ordinary people sharing their experience during their married life. The resource speaker on this video supports the passage of the divorce bill in the Philippine congress. The speaker […]
Did regret came too late? A girl who transitioned to becoming a boy during teenage year speaks of great regret for having done so. Charlie Evans “became” male for close to ten years before making a turn-around from a decision made. Evans detransitioned in 2018. But will it recoup the […]
This is only a passing question for residents living around the City of Naga and also of towns nearby, and maybe of Camarines Sur province, too. Have you visited the Jesse Robredo museum yet? If not, then come on, let’s join Vice-President Leni Robredo show us around. The VPOP is […]
Canadians react with disdain on government officials, which include PM Justin Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, due to garbage dumping in the Philippines. Watch how independent conservative YouTube channel shares reaction and more below: [At 1:40, notice the government official sitting right of President Duterte make face, reacting to […]
Sharing here the attendance of Vice President Leni Robredo during the 121st Independence Day rites this morning at Rizal Park in Manila. And below is the commemorative message of the vice president for the occasion: Sa araw na ito, bilang nagkakaisang lahi, ipinagdiriwang natin ang ika-isangdaan at dalawampu’t isang taon […]
A short clip derived from a PBS (US tv channel) documentary highlights a woman acquiring a “sense of peace” after aborting her two (twin) babies. The woman was shown getting clear instruction from the doctor on the dosage and timing of taking “medical” abortion pills. The doctor was so blatant […]
The most important and relevant documentary movie drops today. Will it be truth bites the plight of mass migration hurting Europe? We are referring to the much awaited “Borderless” movie by independent Canadian activist-journalist Lauren Southern and her team. After months enduring the rigors (and danger) of (clandestine) location filming, […]
Some world leaders, and even the mainstream media, didn’t get it. But at least, Pope Francis on Easter Sunday speaking after the special Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message and blessing, expressed his “heartfelt closeness to the Christian community [of Sri Lanka] wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to […]
Daring independent journalist Lauren Southern is on the hot trail of the illegal immigration happening now in most of Europe. On this her latest reportage the daring Canadian exposes the alleged human smugglers and traffickers operating in Greece as NGO’s like the Emergency Response Center International. ERCI is a self-described […]
This should be the first walking tour for inmotion channel, I mean, a walking exploration. So here I was at the churchyard of the main Catholic church in my hometown which is the Parish church of Our Lady of La Porteria. Welcome to inMotion. And many thanks and appreciate for […]
Yes, totally true. The epic fails in Ilocos Norte. One of which was the “cable cart” ride which amused the passengers at first. Then afterwards lost the interest for the operator obviously had difficulty maneuvering the cart up its destination and back. But hey, it was a good try. The […]
Culled from the online news portal itself, Rappler reports agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa early Wednesday evening, February 13. The arrest was done in connection with a cyber libel case filed by the justice department. NBI officers in civilian […]
This Philippine province of almost two million people, or 1.9 (1,952,544) million warm bodies according to the official census count of 2015 is the biggest in the Bicol region in terms of population and land area. While it is rich in natural resources and beautiful scenic places, majority of its […]
I am back, yet again, after a long hibernation of sorts. I fixed some personal issues, settled what should have been done before and still in the process of accepting and facing some other health circumstances that is part of life. And then I completely pushed aside into the backburner […]
After posting the article covering the much vaunted Pantao regional port located in Libon town of Albay province we dig a foot deeper and decided to go ahead with an update and rejoinder about the project. Envisioned to boost a “robust economic corridor in southern Luzon, specifically for Daet, Naga […]
Time magazine’s 2018 acknowledged person(s) of the year (POY) received mixed reaction from netizens. Before the end of year, the US-based news magazine picks a POY of their choice who has done the most to influence the events of the year. This 2018, it came out with not one, but […]
As many expected, former Philippine senator Bong Revilla on Friday was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of the plunder case in relation to the misuse of P224 million pork barrel funds. Pork barrel funds were coated as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of previous administrations. His co-accused, bussinesswoman Janet Lim Napoles […]
We get it. Bicolanos and travelers to and from the region will have to get used to flying and landing on four dated airports, one each in Legazpi, Pili (for Naga), Virac and Masbate. The one and only, but much vaunted, Bicol International Airport, or the Southern Luzon International Airport, […]
The domestic airport in Pili serving metropolitan Naga and the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte will soon be capable of catering to evening flight take-off and landing operations. The Naga airport, which is operated by the Air transportation Office (ATO) of the Department of Transportation and Communications, has […]
To get a good grasp of the illegal immigrant crisis in the United States (America), and in Europe (European Union), we are sharing below two video coverage, one for each. These are different takes on the massive migrant caravan that began marching from Central America, mostly coming from Honduras, with […]
The town of Daraga in Albay province, has total assets of P1.029 billion making it to the top of the list among the richest municipal local government units (LGU) for 2017, besting 106 others in Bicol region, according to the Commission on Audit (COA). Daraga, aside from topping the list, […]
Ownership of the University of Nueva Caceres change hands. Kind of. For decades, the Hernandez family of Naga city and Libmanan town used to own and manage the first and largest university in Bicol. But not anymore as the education arm of the Ayala Corporation, the AC Education, Inc., (AEI) […]
Naga City, Bicol’s financial, business, educational and religious capital now has a total net worth of over P4.675 billion, making it the richest local government unit (LGU) in the region, according to the Commission on Audit (COA). The City of Ligao, in Albay province, followed far second, with a total […]
Why Fuentebella’s Partido Development Administration got the axe. The administration is cleaning up the mess of the past. Or, so it seems. Recently, Malacañang abolished a Bicol-based Government Owned or Controlled Corporation (GOCC) created during the administration of former president Fidel V. Ramos. The Partido Development Administration (PDA) was snapped […]
While I am not required to explain why I am using English as the medium or language of this channel, I am too happy to explain why. Also, I think it is time to share our reason. Hello friends, Thank you for dropping by and watching this post. At the […]
Today, I temporarily place under my drawer the primary concern of growing more subs. Because today we go Chinese. I mean, I will talk in passing about the Chinese Zodiac as very soon the Chinese New Year will come with a bang on Feb 16, 2018 and end on Feb […]
The Malacanang palace on Saturday made known an official denial it has got no hand in the subpoenas issued by the National Bureau of Investigation to online xocial news network publisher Rappler chief executive officer (CEO) Maria Ressa and two others over cybercrime raps, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on […]
President Rodrigo Duterte has designated Undersecretary Rosalina Bistoyong as Officer-In-Charge of the Department of Agrarian Reform. She will occupy the vacated post of Rafael Mariano whose nomination was rejected by the powerful joint congressional Commission on Appointments last September 6. Bistoyong is a career executive service professional in the government […]
The residence of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo city on Thursday afternoon was the subject of initial inspection from a team of the National Bureau of Investigation.. Witness to the arrival of the inspection team include Ariel Castañeda, the head of the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) of the […]
My English classes in Grade Six will be the first set of pupils under the K-12 curriculum moving up to Grade 7 come March this school year. At this point, even while it is too early, I try to foresee the probable challenges and impact on their learning curve due […]
President Rodrigo Duterte’s blogger-supporter and now amply rewarded as Assistant Secretary in the office of Presidential Communication Operations Office has courted, again, the ire of netizens, specifically Twitter users. This time, tweets criss cross the internet calling for the ouster or removal of the former sexy dancer from her Malacanang […]
Thanks to the long known advocacy of the Greeenpeace group, the 4th Annual sky lantern flying activity in Legazpi city was eventually canceled by its organizers. The organizers of the 4th Annual sky lantern flying activity have decided today to cancel the event after it was met with strong opposition […]
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas wants you to know that it would be very difficult to produce a counterfeit of the new generation Philippine bank notes now in circulation. With the very stringent process, the bank note paper used made up of cotton with Philippine abaca, and all other security features […]
In its disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Monday, the Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO) registered a P13.3-billion net income in the first half of 2017, much higher than the PHP11.7 billion in the same period in 2016. The leading unibank of the country traced the improvement of […]
This should confirm the long suspected plunge of the peso vis-à-vis the US dollar. Now the peso is seen to weaken further beyond the range of 48-50 until the end of year 2017. If it does, which is srongly possible, President Rodrigo Duterte’s economc managers are missing something. Yet, it […]
The Philippine peso finished its weakest under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday at P48.25 much noticeably lower than the P48.33 in September 15, 2009 but still far from the P47.16 of Nov. 10, 2015. Trying to explain the cause or identify the source as possible culprit, a […]
Talk or reference of informal settlers are confined mostly in the country’s urban centers, most specifically in or around the Mega Manila area. But that phenomenon is not common in urban centers alone. It is a basic fact which prevails in small and big towns in the country. It is […]
President Aquino is a skipper, really! Now we can say it again. President Benigno S. Aquino, III is a skipper, really! The latest event the Philippine head of state snubbed and skipped was the second year commemoration of the super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ anniversary of survivors, more particularly in Tacloban City. […]
Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon is adding voice on the strong opposition to the Duterte administration-sanctioned deadly all-out war on drug users and pushers. During the Sunday mass service, the bishop lamented the unfortunate disregard of the strong moral outcry for life. The Legazpi prelate announced the ringing of church bells […]
After a long wait, definitely the truth will set free whoever was or is encumbered on the sexual harassment case that was filed by an OFW from Kuwait against a Philippine ambassador to that mideast nation. We are referring to Ambassador Shulan Primavera who was accused by “Mabel,” a Filipina […]
LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 21 — The Filipino-Chinese community and the Albayano culture and traditions blended during the Fiesta Tsinoy Chinese Lunar new year celebration on Thursday here, the first time ever. Tourism department’s Bicol regional director Ma. Nini-Ong Ravanilla, infused the Pastores Bicol in this year’s Fiesta Tsinoy new year […]
There must be rich memories spun and created behind the Bicol Teachers College and Bicol High School that alumni of the defunct twin institutions in Calabanga town keep a semi-active reunion dates. This, despite the graduates are now octogenarians and many are in far off places or gone to their […]
Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said they will use the high court’s disciplinary powers to punish judges and court personnel engaged in corrupt practices. While recognizing that corruption is an obstacle to development Sereno sees it as a complex problem which has to be […]
Fifty eight years last month, in November 18, 1952, the former mayor of Calabanga town unveiled a donation of a (cement) bench located at the plaza. Now with the onslaught of change and modest modernization, the bench still occupies its original location. But it has served its purpose and the passage of time clearly made its mark.
While I am not required to explain why I am using English as the medium or language of this channel, I am too happy to explain why. Also, I think it is time to share our reason. Hello friends, Thank you for dropping by and watching this post. At the […]
For the fiscal year of 2007, the LGU of Libmanan was the first and only that surpassed the P100M earnings among the 35 municipalities, while capital town Pili had P87M. Rinconada’s Nabua made P73.2M and the third district town of Calabanga earned P72.6M.
The province of Camarines Sur is hosting the upcoming 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress. It will be held at the CWC, inside the sprawling provincial capitol complex in the capital town of Pili.
Meralco forges cooperation with Fukushima nuclear reactor operator MANILA, Feb. 9 -– The Manila Electric Company has forged cooperation with Tokyo Electric Power Company Inc., to enhance disaster restorations and smart-grid tech to its 5.5 million customers. Tepco is the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plants more identified for its […]
MANILA, Feb. 22 – President Aquino will spearhead the 28th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People’s Power Revolution on Wednesday. But Malacanang has clarified that February 25 is a regular working day. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said February 25 has been declared working holiday based on the Proclamation No. […]
President Duterte was on his fighting form, with his usual pungent verbal pronouncements when asked about drug-related extra-judicial killings in the country. The irked Duterte was presumed to be referring to reports about US President Barrack Obama conferring to him about the prevailing human rights situation and extra-judicial killings in […]
Yesterday, during the pre-fiesta parade celebration, many of these institutions fielded representatives showcasing the showmanship, talent and faces of their students. Consider how long the parade went on with the long list of participants. They presented exhibition and action fronting the makeshift review grandstand, right into that commercial area, everybody calls the “Parada”.
Easter Sunday marked the culmination of the eight-day observance of the holy week and the passion of Christ in most Christian and Catholic communities in the country. This morning, before the first streak of sunlight came out from the dark and still sky, the traditional processions of Santos depart from the church ground of La Porteria, as in most of the local parishes of Calabanga.
Behind its proponents’ hype that it is a high-tech, quick-fix solution to Vitamin A deficiency, the genetically engineered (GE) “Golden Rice” is environmentally irresponsible, poses risks to human health and could compromise food, nutrition and financial security, Greenpeace International has declared. Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts […]
Over the week, 75,000 board feet of alleged illegal logs from Partido area of the province of Camarines Sur were reported to be intercepted by the task force of the Bicol office of the environment and natural resources department. It was the second apprehension this year in the areas around […]
Espina sacks budget officer over delayed disbursement of food provisions for COPS. MANILA, Jan. 24 — Philippine National Police officer-in-charge, currently Deputy Director General Leonardo A. Espina, approved Friday the administrative relief of a police budget officer over allegations of delayed disbursement of food provisions for PNP personnel deployed for […]
MASBATE CITY, Masbate, April 6 — A spate of killings mars an otherwise generally peaceful observance of Holy week in the province of Masbate. An incumbent village barangay head went on a shooting spree, killing a farmer and wounding another inside a cockpit on Saturday morning in Barangay Nabongsoran, Aroroy, […]
Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) President Hans Sicat told reporters more companies engaged in real estate and consumer/retail sectors are expected to launch their initial public offering (IPO) on the local bourse next year. Eight to 10 companies are expected to debut in the local equities stock market in 2016, as […]
The Rich, Richier, Richest. Philippine towns with top regular income in fiscal year of 2014. Of the 1,502 local government units referred to as municipalities (or towns) of the Philippines, many reported high earnings (annual regular income) for the fiscal year end of 2014. Below is a listing of these […]
Due to the recent order of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) to produce voter receipts on Election Day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking at the possibility of postponing the May 9 national and local polls. Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista noted that moving the elections was […]
