| GOVERNANCE MATRIX FOR PRESIDENTIABLES 2010: SENATOR MANUEL B. VILLAR (MBV) |
| Vision/Sector/Issue | Position |
| GOVERNANCE VISION | A nation marching with economic, social and political progress: · raising the masses, workers, poor, marginalized and dispossessed to a life of equal opportunities and shared responsibilities; · attaining growth rates and stability of the progressive countries of the world; · strengthening social initiatives that enhance the quality of life; and · launching a streamlined, motivated, transparent and graft-insulated public service corps. |
| What does Senator Villar stand for? | Senator Villar is a Change Leader who will pursue his Governance Vision with a strong political will to: · promote good governance and seriously redress corruption; · carry out a bi-focal economic thrust of lifting Investments and Net Exports as the main GDP growth drivers -- encompassing a deepened reservoir of internationally-competitive entrepreneurs, increased agricultural productivity and an enlarged domestic industrial base; · broaden social programs through revitalized education, expanded basic health services and extensive housing programs; · develop a built-in safety net that avoids destabilizing price adjustments for medicines and basic necessities; · arrest the widespread degradation of the environment and engender healthy ecological balance; and · curb widespread criminality and usher in lasting peace. |
| SECTOR | |
| Education | We shall revitalize Philippine education through: · quality primary education for all children, while adding a year in grade school; · higher literacy rate; · upgraded skills of teachers and transfer of new teaching methods/technologies; · more schools and classrooms and modern facilities as teaching aids; · reintroduction of English as the medium of instruction; · early introduction of IT into classrooms; · entrepreneurship as a major curriculum module to help fuel entrepreneurial revolution; · a special focus on the development of arts, culture and sports; · government and private scholarships to poor but deserving students; · a culture among educational institutions to compete domestically and internationally; and · a reward and punishment system for school and university administrators. |
| Health, Nutrition and the Reproductive Health Bill | An MBV Administration will provide basic health care and nutrition services to the poor through: · an improved health care insurance system ensuring quality medical treatment for all members, available at low cost for all and free for the extremely impoverished; · encouragement for owners and operators of private facilities to include "free wards" to the poorest segment of their communities; · assistance (through sustainable modes, e.g., bond design and issues) to local governments, which can afford to establish health care centers, clinics, and hospitals, to secure the best doctors, hospital administrators, and nurses; · priority nutrition programs for underprivileged children prior to and during schooling age; and · creative public-private partnership in nutrition intervention. MBV is against the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill, saying: "Bahala na ang tao kung ano gusto nila gawin. I always view population not as a liability. To me, if the country is managed well, in a-competent manner, in fact, a big population would be a way in which we could be a great nation." (See Section on "Population" below.) |
| Investments | The goal of an MBV Administration is to provide the framework and policies that would restore the ratio of Investments to GDP from the present weak 15% level to the 30% ratio or more over 2 decades ago. Raising the Investment Coefficient of GDP is focal to the quantum increase in the GDP growth rate. To that end, an MBV administration would: - consistently maintain policies that are domestic and foreign investments friendly;
- streamline regulatory processes to drastically reduce the number of review steps and approving/recommending signatures, while maintaining a modicum of prudential oversight;
- transparently pursue an economic level playing field, with government laying down rules that cannot be bent by any vested interest groups;
- take steps to avert changes in "rules of the game" to suit the whims of "cronies" since there will be "no cronies";
- guarantee the stability of policies affecting business;
- prohibit any commission to be paid by any foreign or domestic investor to approving authorities or to any person impersonating to be influential to the administration;
- improve the climate for industrial relations;
- promote high value exports, health and educational services, and other NEDA-prioritized areas;
- provide a special focus on the development of small and medium scale entrepreneurs ;
- replicate models where large, medium and small scale enterprises "job out" requirements to community livelihood organizations and micro-entrepreneurs;
- increase infrastructure improvements and investments (esp. transportation, communications, water, and power), with the BOT mode encouraged; and
- hasten the timely operation of stalled, but otherwise strategic, projects, e.g., NAIA 3.
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| Agriculture | MBV pinpoints agricultural development as a cornerstone in carrying out the goal of poverty alleviation. Accordingly, initiatives will: · pursue food security to put an end to the imports of basic commodities, while reversing the scenario where the country is the top importer of rice to one that ranks among the major exporters of rice; · develop low cost and low maintenance farm-to-market roads, community-based irrigation systems, private sector-led common facilities for storage and processing, appropriate productivity enhancing technologies, agricultural research and development, enhanced food production distribution networks (e.g., existing vegetable, agribusiness, and fruit buyers in certain areas of the country who are efficient production motivators and production gatherers, who will be provided financing to invest in pre-harvest and post-harvest facilities); · initiate projects where private sector is timid but with viability prospects; and · privatize projects as soon as private sector interests are evident. |
| Exports | In conjunction with a reinvigorated Investments sector, positive Net Exports would contribute to a robust GDP growth trajectory. High value added exports, including activities with a large labor content, will cover multinational onshore production for exports, conversion of small industries with extensive export potential (e.g., jewelry industry) into world class players, and tourism investment and allied service industries. Export processing zones will continue to be a major initiative to ensure fast turnaround of imported materials, processed with Filipino labor and exported to foreign markets. Support will be extended to a continued expansion of systems-wide Business Processing Outsourcing activities. Foreign exchange rate policy would take into account the fundamental viability and competitiveness of exports. |
| Military | The Philippine military will undergo modernization and receive adequate support to carry out its function effectively. This program needs a one-time major investment in aircraft, navy facilities, ground equipment, armaments and training for the elements of the military. |
| ISSUES | |
| ECONOMIC ISSUES | |
| Poverty alleviation and employment | A significant rise in the GDP growth rate, fueled by active Investments and Export Sectors, will inevitably spread livelihood opportunities. The policy goal is to ensure that the benefits of economic growth filter down to the poor on a sustainable basis. Providing for livelihood opportunities and training is in place. There just has to be more focused intervention by government to provide technical training, market information and micro finance. Successful models abound in providing for livelihood opportunities. We simply need to replicate these models faster and simultaneously throughout the country. |
| Regulatory and bureaucratic reforms | Regulatory and bureaucratic reforms will include consultations with the private sector as to which regulations will be left to the private sector to enforce themselves. Self-regulation is a preferred choice, except where public interest is clearly a priority issue. Markedly, the administration of MBV will be less and less regulatory in the nature by which it will deal with private business. But the An MBV administration will be very firm in collecting the rightful taxes and fees that are due the government. It will also be quick to bring into the justice system private business violators of the law. |
| Fiscal Management | Improvement of the revenue performance will be based on effective tax administration and simplifying taxation for all types of businesses, including the self-employed. There will be rationalization of fiscal incentives, while improving tax collection by curbing smuggling activities, pursuing tax evaders, and encouraging all tax payers to pay what is due. There will be reduction in budget deficits by improving the budgeting process and removing all "over budgeted items" which are incorporated in all budget proposals. |
| Domestic and foreign debt | Domestic and foreign debt operations will be anchored on appropriate timing. Clearly, taxes generated by the economy and consumers cannot sustain the national expenditures at the present stage of economic development. Notwithstanding the inward remittances of the overseas Filipino workers, the budget deficit situation continues to challenge our country. There will be a balance of domestic and foreign borrowings. We shall take advantage of certain timing issues to take on longer grace periods on principal payments, longer term repayments, and preferred interest rates on our borrowings or bond issues. In the end, preferred interest rates will be a function of sound economic policies, macroeconomic stability, and improvement of the country's image of transparency and demonstrated reduced corruption from government officials. |
| Oligopolies and level playing field | Policies and programs will foster free and open competition, while effectively addressing the distortions and negative welfare impact of monopolies and oligopolies. A level playing field is necessary for fostering competition. This is given in an MBV Presidency. This stance is the only way the country can be globally competitive. There is not much time to catch up with other countries which are now internationally-competitive. |
| Capital mobilization, esp. microfinance | Capital mobilization through domestic and foreign investment is a key factor in generating employment. Providing microfinance for livelihood projects is just as vital and is a priority initiative. Both activities will be a major strategy to effectively address poverty in the country. |
| Agrarian reform | An MBV administration will complete agrarian reform. We cannot allow creative schemes and imaginative methods to circumvent the intent of the agrarian reform law. The landed gentry have delayed the agrarian reform too long and the farmer beneficiaries have been waiting in vain. We must complete the handover to the farmers of the lands tilled by them. |
| Infrastructure program | Most infrastructures, which can be privatized, must proceed on a "build operate and transfer" model. Bidding for the right to undertake these projects will be transparent under the glare of television lights and cameras, starting from bidding qualifications, bidding procedures and up to award of winning bids. Government-built infrastructures should likewise be subject to all the qualification procedures, bidding procedures and awarding of winning bids being transparent and televised for the public to see and witness. |
| High power cost | High power costs will be addressed and inefficiencies in generation and transmission will be reduced through a transparent process of auditing existing power generators. An MBV administration will attract foreign investments in power and remove all cartel-like impediments to competition – a policy that ultimately benefits the consumer. The model of breaking up the monopoly of telecommunications clearly points to competition as a good initiative to pursue. |
| High domestic transport cost | Domestic transport cost for passengers is an issue of fuel costs arising from world market prices. Cargo transport pricing issues are not raised by the public -- implying that transport cost to the riding public is essentially a political and a social issue. Private sector investments continue to be made in public transport services. Thus, this economic activity must be essentially viable with certain glitches when there is an upward spike in world prices of oil. |
| SOCIAL ISSUES | |
| Moral degradation and values transformation | MBV upholds the right to life of the unborn child, without intruding into the right of individuals to follow their conscience. He believes that parents have the proper role to provide sex education to their children and advocates initiatives that would enable parents to carry out that role more effectively. Affirming the central importance of the family in Philippine society, MBV is against legislation that would legalize divorce or terminate marriage. Aware of the corrosive imprint of corruption on bureaucracy-wide moral fiber, MBV has laid out an operative roadmap for waging war against corruption. (See section on "Corruption"). A major outcome of a successful assault on corruption is the restoration of decency and positive regard for public service |
| Public safety and national security | Law and order in the country will be a challenge for an MBV administration, particularly in parts of Mindanao and inaccessible areas of the country where the police and military are not visible. Therefore, it is imperative to disarm large civilian groups, while peace talks are pursued so that the business of economic development can begin in a large scale pervasive and significant manner. While the citizenry will be encouraged to help the police, civilians will not be allowed to carry firearms. Civilians will be asked to help provide intelligence information, particularly with respect to strangers that arrive in their communities. On a corollary basis, the facilities of the police and military will undergo modernization and their personnel will be trained to thwart terrorists and the lawless. |
| Human rights | There must be respect for human rights, albeit that respect is alien to violators of the law. There will be no tolerance for salvaging by the police and military, cognizant of the worldwide abuses that this practice engenders. There will be protection, not intimidation or killings, of journalists and media personnel. The modernization of the Armed Forces and the PNP would strengthen their ability to carry out their functions, with a clear mandate of zero tolerance for human rights abuses. Leadership by the President – one that addresses the concerns of the AFP and PNP – would enhance respect for human rights and elicit unequivocal understanding of Presidential directives. There is no inherent conflict between economic rights and civil liberties. As economic progress accelerates in an MBV administration, there will be broader improvement in the lives of our people and strengthening of civil liberties. These are mutually reinforcing elements. Economic progress will allow the country to modernize its law enforcement agencies and find its way to higher salaries for the police and military, judges, teachers and entire government machinery. As to the issues of whether Filipinos have too much freedom, MBV notes: "Hindi naman. Magulo lang talaga tayo. We thrive in chaos. This all boils down to leadership. That's why if your leadership is not felt, then either you impose martial law or you explode. A strong leader need not impose martial law to impose order. If there is no natural leadership, you have to buy everybody, you have to buy the local governments with projects…you have to buy the congressman so that you will not be impeached." |
| Population | Historically and empirically, population control in the world has not produced a decline in population growth rate. The decline in fertility rates is more a function of changes in attitudes brought about by urbanization and education. Properly harnessed, a growing population, amidst a developed world with falling growth rates and absolute population numbers, could be a source of competitive edge for the country. Philippine population growth rates have been declining, with Total Fertility Rate (TFR) or children per woman reaching levels that cause concerns. In about over a decade, TFR could sink below its replacement level – threatening us with the prospect of replicating the specter of decreasing and ageing population in advanced economies. |
| Youth | MBV adheres to the conviction that the strength of republic and international competiveness rest with the Youth. Reflecting that conviction, an MBV administration will develop: · special programs and scholarships for the gifted; · a new wave of "pensionados", funded by local and international sources, who could provide the country with a "second wind" of change; and · GSIS and SSS loan programs that would enable a large number of high-reaching students complete their chosen fields. |
| Environment | Protection of the environment and the rehabilitation of destroyed forest resources will be a primary concern of this administration. Disasters have been occurring because of neglect by our countrymen and of weak enforcement of rules and laws which are already in place. We must leave a legacy of clean air and environment to the future generations of this country. We also must rebuild the resources which we have selfishly consumed or exported. Restoration of natural tributaries, water canals and other such natural drainage systems must be addressed. Further denudation of forests must be stopped. Mining and exploitation of natural resources could take their rightful place in development so long as they meet applicable international environmental standards. Development of the country's resources must be mindful of environmental issues. Sustainable development requires that the environment be allowed to renew itself and to allow development to proceed indefinitely into centuries beyond generations. Thus, we develop our resources with the view that enough resources will be around for the future generations of this country. In particular, reforestation will take the front seat in environmental concerns. We shall implement with resolve the Clean Air Act. We shall strictly enforce laws preserving the environment and existing programs on environment preservation. The prevention of the recurrence of the flooding wrought by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng requires multiple initiatives, including, among others, clearing and dredging the entire Metro Manila. We must constructively relocate families living under unimaginable human conditions in the flood-prone areas. We should factor in sustainable solid waste management systems. Massive reforestation is a necessary component. We could tap the NPA for a plausible working arrangement on reforestation—with a possible positive impact on the peace and civil society integration process. We acknowledge that our country is the passive recipient of the climate change-inducing economic activities of the developed world. Hence, we have no choice but to participate in the efforts to arrest global warming. We should aggressively develop public-private sector initiatives, including carbon credits. |
| Housing and urbanization | An MBV administration will ensure initiatives that enable the poor and the middle class to purchase houses throughout the nation. An extensive and comprehensive housing program is in place. There will be more vigorous effort to achieve the goals of the existing housing programs and correspondingly mobilize significant resources from foreign and domestic sources. We should take measures to disperse industries and population centers. It is apparent that the pressure for social services in urban centers will continue to mount if there is no conscious policy to induce the dispersal of industries and population centers. Building complementary infrastructure components, such as roads, communications facilities, power and water, will be major elements. |
| Migration | While it is not a policy of government to continue to export manpower, we recognize that the country and economy cannot provide jobs for them at this time. We must ensure that overseas Filipino workers will be protected and safety nets are provided for them in their places of work. Over the long run, we shall build an economy that will support most of the labor force in the country and exporting them will be limited to certain countries and specialized skills needed. Difficulties experienced by overseas Filipino workers result from countries whose cultures are so different and even hostile to foreign workers. |
| POLITICAL ISSUES | |
| Constitutional Amendments | The initial energies of the administration of MBV will be focused on poverty eradication through an improved economy brought about by increased domestic and foreign investments. Amending the Constitution is not a priority issue of this administration. MBV is indifferent to the mode for amending the Constitution – so long as it is carried out properly. The private and other sectors of the country will spearhead amendments to the Constitution, with a conviction that Constitutional amendments can improve the country's welfare. This administration will leave it to the general public through civil society groups to push for constitutional reforms. Acceleration in the GDP growth rate need not require amending the economic provisions of the Constitution. But we shall leave that issue to what the people want. Both a Presidential system and a Parliamentary system have their merits -- so with Federalism vs. the present system. The important issue is leadership, irrespective of the system. We should retain the Senate as a necessary governance institution that will ensure that legislation truly reflects national rather than narrow interests. |
| Global Filipinos and universal proportional representation
| Global Filipinos aspire for equality in the exercise of their suffrage and political rights, with the end goal of integrating them into mainstream Philippine political life. A first major step is to provide a convenient way for them to register and vote, in contrast to the gravely inconvenient method of registering and voting at the nearest Philippine Consulate. MBV sponsored Senate Bill #3565 that, among others, authorizes the adoption of secure Internet registration and voting. MBV would continue to support the passage of that bill into law. MBV is sympathetic to truly continuing voter registration for global Filipinos as against the limited duration under past practice, with the stipulation of a cutoff date for determining eligibility for voting in future elections. Article 6, Section 5 of the Constitution provides for legislative representation of constituents of a locality based on a defined population density. Invoking a level political playing field, global Filipinos seek the application of the Constitutional provision to them as citizens of the Philippines. MBV supports that objective. |
| Electoral reform | This administration will consider all serious suggestions to broaden the electoral base of all elective officials. Automation in elections is underway as a major reform measure. More reforms are needed depending on the outcome of the 2010 national election. In the end, what is important is that the electorate trusts the election process, the counting and the proclamation. |
| Foreign affairs | Foreign policy initiatives should touch the lives of global Filipinos in a most meaningful way. With over 10 million Filipinos working overseas, government must address the needs of these constituents at their places of work. Diplomatic work must now focus on the welfare of the overseas Filipinos working abroad to protect their rights, to ensure their appropriate working conditions, even minimum contract payments, their disability benefits and their repatriation back during emergencies. |
| Mindanao peace problem | An MBV administration will place economic development priority in Mindanao where conflicts and insurgency persist – on a parallel basis with peace initiatives. We shall encourage domestic investments to propel economic activities in identified areas, while providing incentives when necessary. We shall present identified areas of investments to large and socially responsive domestic investors. We shall implement government and private sector investments in educational institutions, hospitals, health care centers, tourism and other allied services. |
| Rule of law (incl. a possible jury system) | MBV upholds the primacy of the rule of law and its central place in economic, social and political progress. He seeks to apply the principle of level playing field to the judicial system. Recognizing the need to strengthen the administration of justice, MBV plans to call a Summit on Judicial Reform that would include all concerned stakeholders (the Judiciary, Congress, the Justice Department, legal practitioners and the general public). The Summit will cover a wide range of key issues, including the proposed adoption of the Jury System. |
| Corruption | Transparency in all Government transactions will be a governance rule. A government headed by MBV will provide easy access to information (even without the proposed Freedom Information Act), aggressively simplify all government transactions, reduce discretionary powers of bureaucrats and improve the efficiency of government services. (MBV is a private sector businessman with public service experience and who knows how to get these activities done quickly. He has been Chairman of various committees at the Lower and Upper Chambers of Congress -- which gives him invaluable experience to ensure success of his Presidential directives on transparency.) We shall strengthen and consistently enforce Anti Graft and Corruption Laws. The government of MBV will provide more implementation efficiency to anti-graft and corruption agencies and provide ample protection to the enforcers of the law. The focus of anti-corruption efforts will start with identified government agencies where corruption tends to thrive. We shall involve various NGOs, civic groups, and anti-corruption watchdog groups in the campaign. We shall institute a System of Rewards and Punishment to promote efficient and effective public services. Fostering a culture of competition amongst employees and officials in government is a cornerstone of the efforts to reduce corruption in public service. Government employees, officials, school administrators, local government officials will all be a part of the culture of competitiveness to reward those who are worthy of recognition and financial rewards. Those who are laggards or non-productive will be transferred to non-critical functions of government or induced to retire early. MBV will provide leadership that is incorruptible, managerially-skilled and with uncompromising political will to carry out reforms and rectify corruption. The new government will have MBV as a President who will lead by example in this crusade against corruption. All alter egos of the President will be required to follow the example of the President in dealings with government transactions and with the public that we serve. Individuals with impeccable record in efficient and honest public service and of known probity will lead anti-corruption agencies, such as the Ombudsman and the President Anti-Graft and Corrupt Commission, and those perceived to be graft –prone. Will MBV prosecute PGMA for corruption? MBV will leave it to the judicial system. What about the Marcos wealth? An MBV administration will take steps to finish all pending cases, which have languished and fostered corruption for more than 2 decades. PCGG may have to be abolished. |
| Pork Barrel | We view the "pork barrel" system as a way of filtering tax revenue resources to the local levels in a manner that would benefit local communities without relying on the political largesse of national government. Recognizing the potential leakages, an MBV administration will reform the system, ensure that "pork barrel" spending is not wasted and is aligned with the national government's development priority programs. Applying line item budgeting ensures transparency in the budgeting process. An MBV government will work toward this goal and mandatory disclosures of the "pork barrel" projects, their location, contractors, status and their completion. |
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