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 Noynoy for President

Wednesday, 09 September 2009

An administration that shall not enter into any compromises with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her family and her cronies. A government that shall commit to reverse the political and economic damages wrought by the Arroyo administration. A political leadership that shall use its authority and shall exercise political will to introduce basic reforms that would restore our faith in our own capacity to lead decent and honorable lives.

AKBAYAN made its first presidential endorsement with full appreciation of the fact that the 2010 elections is a make or break election for the country, and that the above considerations should be our main national agenda. Gloria does not only represent a backslide in our democracy - she symbolizes national degeneration; the 2010 elections is therefore an opportunity for the rebirth of our nation.

It is in this regard that we welcome and endorse the presidential bid of Senator Noynoy Aquino. Our support is premised on the same factors that we considered in endorsing Sen. Mar Roxas. Sen. Noynoy Aquino was among the first to repudiate the abuses committed by the Arroyo administration, from the ‘Hello Garci’ controversy to the graft-ridden NBN-ZTE deal, and he has likewise committed to hold the Arroyos accountable once GMA steps out of Malacanang. Sen. Aquino likewise appreciates the task he needs to face to restore the dignity of Filipinos if and once elected into office.

But more importantly, AKBAYAN sees Sen. Aquino as a symbol to a nation yearning for unity and greatness. What makes him so is not his political ambition but his lack of it. Sen. Aquino has reluctantly accepted a monumental challenge that has been thrust upon him. That alone tells us that Noynoy is no Gloria: his reluctance symbolizes honor in his brand of leadership, as compared to the latter’s orchestrated ascent to the presidency, and her subsequent manipulation of her authority to maintain her stay in power.

As with our previous endorsement of Sen. Mar Roxas, we are under no illusion that we will always have a common stand on all issues with Sen. Aquino. But we always go back to what Sen. Noynoy Aquino himself said when he spoke in our National Congress - that divergence of opinion should not be seen as a political burden. We shall forge ahead where unities exist; where differences are manifest, AKBAYAN shall continue to engage Sen. Aquino.

Our principles and our platform are our backbone as a political party, and AKBAYAN shall always be anchored in its commitment to pursue the interest of the majority of Filipinos who have been rendered voiceless by our political system. Our endorsement of Sen. Aquino is part of our quest to make our politics work for all of us, and not just to the entrenched few.

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 Roxas declares vice presidential bid

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:10:00 09/21/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Monday formally declared that he is running for vice president, making official the Liberal Party tandem Aquino-Roxas for 2010.

At a jampacked room in Club Filipino in Greenhills, Roxas announced that he has accepted the offer to become the running mate of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in next year’s elections.

“Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang hamon na isulong ang tunay na reporma sa ating bansa. Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago (I am wholeheartedly accepting the challenge to pursue true reforms in our country. I am wholeheartedly accepting the responsibility to be Noynoy’s partner in our fight for change),” Roxas told LP stalwarts and members, and their supporters, most of them were wearing yellow shirts.

“Mga kababayan, taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino (My countrymen, I am wholeheartedly accepting to be the running mate of Noynoy Aquino),” he said.

“But this fight is not just about Noynoy and me. Tungkol ito sa matuwid laban sa baluktot. Tungkol ito sa tapat laban sa tiwali. Tungkol ito sa tama laban sa mali (This fight is to right the wrong, to fight corruption, to fight the wrong),” he said.

Roxas said the fight was about the people’s thirst for change finally overcoming those who want to continue the “tayu-tayo (we) system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all.”

Admitting that this fight would be a tough battle, the senator then urged the public not to be lulled into complacency.

“We are up against forces who will fight tooth and nail, fair and unfair, legal and illegal, against us. Sa kanila yata, tuloy ang ligaya; sa atin naman, tuloy ang laban (For them, the good life will continue; for us, the fight will continue),” he said.

“Kailangan nating isulong ang bandila ni Noy at ng reporma. Mahirap ang laban na ito, pero nasa kamay natin ang ating kapalaran (We need to raise the flag for Noy and reform. This is a difficult fight, but our fate is in our hands),” he further said.

After declaring his presidential bid last September 9, 2009, Aquino disclosed that he had offered the vice presidential post to Roxas, who gave up his presidential ambition for Aquino.

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 AKBAYAN ENDORSES ROXAS FOR 2010. HONTIVEROS TO RUN AS LP GUEST CANDIDATE

Press Release
August 16, 2009

The AKBAYAN party-list group formally endorsed today the presidential
bid of Liberal Party President Senator Mar Roxas in the 2010 national
and local elections.

The group likewise announced it has accepted the offer of the Liberal
Party for AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros to be a guest candidate in LP’s
senatorial slate for next year’s election.

AKBAYAN is the first party-list group to endorse a presidential
candidate for the 2010 polls. The Liberal Party is expected to name
Roxas as its standard bearer in the presidential election next year.

"Oras na para ang mga pwersang nagnanais ng tunay na pagbabago sa
ating bansa ay magkaisa para makamit na natin ang matagal nating
minimithing maunlad at modernong bansa (It is time for the political
forces that yearn for a progressive Philippines to unite)," Roxas said
after being informed of AKBAYAN’s endorsement of his bid for the
presidency.

The Liberal Party and AKBAYAN, he added, will be offering a common
agenda of good governance and reforms that will push for an activist
government that truly cares for the people and their welfare.

AKBAYAN President Ronald Llamas said their group believes Roxas is the
only presidential candidate who could stop rampant graft and
corruption in government.

"Walang Presidente, kahit na gaano kagaling, ang makakapagsulong ng
anumang reporma kung hindi nito sisingilin ang GMA administration
dahil sa talamak na korupsyon sa gobyerno (No President, however
competent, can push true reforms unless it makes the current
administration pay for the gross corruption in government,“he said.”Kailangan natin ng isang lider na kayang itulak ang mga tunay na
reporma, at para sa amin, sa lahat ng nagbabalak na tumakbo bilang
presidente ay si Mar Roxas lang ang tanging pwede naming makasama (We
need a leader that can push true reforms, and for us in Akbayan, among
all those aspiring to become President, it is only Mar Roxas that we
can join in this fight)," Llamas said. Llamas was re-elected as
Akbayan president in the partylist group’s 4^th Regular Congress held
last Friday at the Club Filipino.

He added Roxas’ principles and platforms made him different from the
other candidates. "Pinili namin ang kandidato na klarong hindi
makikipagnegosasyon sa GMA administrasyon at hindi sasabak sa halalan
sa 2010 na ang batayan ay baluktot na political accommodations (We
chose a candidate who will not compromise with the GMA Administration
and will not run in the 2010 elections through unprincipled political
accommodations),“Llamas said.”Matagal na rin kaming nakakatrabaho si Mar Roxas batay sa aming mga
tinutulak na reporma, kagaya ng pagtulay sa batas para sa murang gamot
(We have worked for reforms with Mar Roxas based on our platform, like
the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Law)," he also said.

Llamas said he is confident that with the inclusion of Hontiveros in
LP’s senatorial line-up, Filipinos could look forward to a stop in
government corruption and an economic policy that would protect local
industries and the interests of farmers, workers and professionals.

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 SENATOR BENIGNO “NOYNOY” S. AQUINO III ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Senator Noynoy Aquino is vigilant in his pursuit of truth, justice and
freedom, the fundamental principles that make democracy work in this
country that his parents had likewise fought hard to restore. His
commitment to preserve, strengthen and continue their legacy is
evident in his accomplishments.

I. Positions held
Chairman, Committee on Local Government
Co-chair, Committee on Justice and Human Rights

II. Committee Membership
• Accounts
• Economic Affairs
• Education, Arts and Culture
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Government Corporations and Public Enterprises
• Justice and Human Rights
• National Defense and Security
• Peace, Reunification and Reconciliation
• Public Works
• Trade and Commerce
• Urban Planning, Housing and Development
• Ways and Means
• Youth, Women and Family Relations

III. Senate Bills
Senate Bill No. 1370 – an act granting an annual productivity
incentive to all workers in the private sector, establishing
mechanisms for its implementation, and for other purposes

Senate Bill No. 1719 – an act limiting the re-appointment of
presidential nominees by-passed by the Commission on Appointments (CA)

Senate Bill No. 1710 – an act banning the re-appointment of a regular
member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) who has already served
the full term

Senate Bill No. 2035 – an act requiring the regular maintenance and
preservation of all public infrastructures, establishing mechanisms
for its implementation and for other purposes

Senate Bill No. 2036 – an act increasing the penalties for non-
compliance of the prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage
rates of workers, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 6727

Senate Bill 2159 – an act adopting the doctrine of superior
responsibility to all actions involving military personnel, members of
the Philippine National Police and other civilians involved in law
enforcement

Senate Bill 2160 – an act amending Section 4 of RA 9184, otherwise
known as the Government Procurement Reform Act to further restrict
exemptions to the requirement of public bidding

Senate Bill 2978 – an act amending the DILG Act to further clarify the
relationship between local chief executives and their respective local
police chiefs

Senate Bill 3121 – the Budget Impoundment Control Act, which seeks to
strengthen legislative oversight over executive spending

IV. Senate Resolutions
Senate Resolution No. 190 – investigating the exercise and
implementation of the powers of local chief executives under Republic
Act 7160 otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991” in
relation to Republic Act 6975 known as the “Philippine National Police
(PNP) Law”
and Republic Act 8551 known as “The PNP Reform and Reorganization Act
of 1998”

Senate Resolution No. 205 – investigating the bomb explosion at the
House of Representatives, condemning in the strongest possible terms
the recent bombing at the House of Representatives, extending
sympathies to the victims and calling on authorities to conduct a
swift and thorough investigation into this incident

Senate Resolution No. 229 – directing the appropriate Senate
committees to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the
circumstances leading to the arrest and ‘processing’ of journalists
and media personalities after the Manila Peninsula standoff on 29
November 2007

V. Fiscalizer
The responsibilities of a senator go beyond the drafting of
legislation or the creation of policies. As a true representative of
the people, Senator Aquino has consistently voiced his concerns on
several issues, drawing attention to the anomalies in our current
administration.

2009 General Appropriations Act (GAA)
By vigorously examining the General Appropriations Act for 2009
submitted by the Executive, Senator Aquino was able to propose key
amendments to the 2009 GAA that seek to tighten congressional
oversight on the executive’s use of public funds.

Champion of Human Rights and People’s Participation
At the heart of all legislative and policy-making initiatives is the
development and welfare of the people. Senator Aquino has sought the
proper relocation of informal settlers and the delineation of
authority of parties involved in demolitions such as the MMDA. The
bill amending the UDHA is currently underway.

Through his privilege speeches, Senator Aquino has drawn attention to
the plight of desaparecidos and victims of extra-judicial killings. He
introduced substantial amendments to the Cooperative Code to make it
more responsive to the needs of the marginalized sector for which the
code was enacted. They are meant to strengthen the cooperative
movement by providing for transparent measures for members and
officers of cooperatives.

He is also part of the bicameral debates on the Anti-Torture Act.

Accountability to the People
Senator Aquino actively participated in the hearings that investigated
a number of reported scandals involving the alleged misuse of public
funds, such as the ZTE-NBN deal, the Euro Generals and the Fertilizer
Fund scam. These hearings brought to light the need for increased
transparency and accountability in the disbursal of taxpayers’ money.

Integrity of the Senate
The series of scandals that stain the reputation of our government has
also challenged the Senate of the Philippines as an institution. The
recent attempts to amend the Constitution, for instance, have
compelled our Senators, including Senator Aquino, to firmly assert
their defiant stand on this issue.

Energy Sector
Senator Aquino has been vigilant in the hearings regarding the sale of
TRANSCO and PNOC-EDC. Much of his time and energy was spent on the
EPIRA and TRANSCO amendments, questioning the sale of revenue-
generating assets prior to the privatization of key government
corporations. Senator Aquino sought clarification as to whether the
sales of these assets were part of a long-term energy development plan
or not to ensure that the long-term impact of losing these assets have
been considered prior to their sales.

National Integrity
Senator Aquino voted “NO” to the controversial JPEPA because he
believed that the Filipino people deserved a better negotiated and
mutually beneficial treaty.

VI. Institution builder
Last but not least, Senator Aquino has dedicated his life in public
service to strengthening our democratic institutions. Principal among
these is his commitment to a genuine party system in the Philippines,
as reflected in his membership in and strong commitment to the Liberal
Party.

• Executive Vice President, December 18, 2007 to present
• Vice Chairman, March 17, 2006 to December 17, 2007
• Secretary General, 2004 to March 16, 2006
• Vice-Pres. for Luzon, 2002-2004
• Secretary General, 1999-2002
• Chairman of the Board, Central Luzon Congressional Caucus

VII. Accomplishments as three-term member of the House of
Representatives:

A. Positions held

Deputy Speaker, 13^th Congress

B. Committee Membership

13^th Congress
• Banks & Financial Intermediaries
• Energy
• Export Promotion
• Public Order & Safety

12^th Congress
• Civil, Political & Human Rights
• Good Government
• Inter-Parliamentary Relations & Diplomacy
• Public Order & Security

11^th Congress
• Agriculture
• Appropriations
• Banks & Financial Intermediaries
• Civil, Political & Human Rights (Vice-Chairman)
• Natural Resources
• Peoples’ Participation
• Public Order & Security
• Suffrage and Electoral Reforms
• Trade & Industry
• Transportation & Communications

C. Priority Bills
• House Bill No. 4251 – granting annual productivity incentives to all
workers in the private sector

• House Bill No. 4397 – strengthening the regulatory power of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to effectively enforce consumer
laws

• House Bill No. 4252 – increasing the penalties for non-compliance of
the prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage rates of workers

• House Bill No. 3616 – extending the reglementary period for the
educational qualification for PNP members

• House Bill No. 1842 – providing for the codification of criminal
laws

D. Resolutions
• House Resolution No. 65 – inquiry in aid of legislation into the
policies and processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in
granting rate increases to electric utilities

• House Resolution No. 788 – creating a select Congressional
Oversight Committee on intelligence funds to check and study the use
of intelligence funds by government agencies to ensure that funds
allocated therefore are utilized for the purpose they are intended

E. Other legislation
a. Introduced an amendment in the General Appropriations Act requiring
public bidding in the purchase of petroleum, oil and lubricant
products for the Department of National Defense