Manny Villar for President? His take

Highlights of the Philippine Star Villar Profile:

ADVISORS:
Economic: Romy Bernardo, Felix Medalla. Respects Pepe Diokno.
Foreign Affairs: Lauro Baja, Garry Laurel.
Health & Environment: Former health secretary Quasie Romualdez.

ECONOMY/TRADE/FINANCE:

• Will focus on agricultural sector because 70% of the poverty-striken are in agriculture.
• NFA should be redefined.
• The Philippines has liberalized too quickly.
• We can be self-sufficient in rice. Can repair the existing irrigation system.
• India and China are economic models for the Philippine economic development. Wants an entrepreneurial revolution.
• For so long as the standard on mining and exploitation of natural resources is the same as developed countries, no problems with this.
• To bring down power costs and boost energy security, must attract more foreign investments in power. Remove what cartels there are and welcome all investors.
• OFW deployment both a boon and a problems. Investments must be made to create jobs and bring back our workers.
• Foreigners shouldn't own land.
• Will not promise to bring down or raise taxes.
• Plans for infrastructure: road interconnection of NLEX and SLEX.
• Raise revenue by efficient tax collention and fight smuggling.
• Implement existing laws to fight money laundering.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

• China and the US is a balancing act for most important ally.
• Will visit Saudi Arabia first, though ideally the U.S.
• Won't travel extensively.
• RP should strengthen ties with ASEAN.
• The Philippines can stand for human rights but to strengthen ASEAN, you must also respect the views of its members (i.e. policy towards Myanmar).
• Current policy of fear towards RP ties with US which should be removed.
• Not do anything drastic towards removing US troops in Mindanao.

ENVIRONMENT:

• Will clear the waterways in Metro Manila. Dredging, relocation, reforestation, plant trees. Tap the NPA for a plausible working arrangement for reforestation.
• Very aggresive on logging/agroforestry.
• Victims of climate change. Be more aggressive on this.

HUMAN RIGHTS:

• Modernize the AFP and PNP. Make it clear that we won't tolerate human rights abuses.

NATIONAL SECURITY:

• Bring peace to Mindanao by strengthening the AFP, improving the Human Development Index, continuing the peace process.
• The problem of the NPA will be solved through economic development.
• Longer term for AFP chief.
• US military aid should be reviewed. National interest should be the primordial interest.
• When political leadership betrays public interest, should the military intervene? will fall on side of stability.
• Will stop corruption in PNP/AFP through transparency in public bidding.

EDUCATION/CULTURE/ARTS/SPORTS:

• Education needs additional funding. Universities should compete with the best in the world. Address low literacy rate.
• Add an additional year in grade school, focus on primary education.
• English should be the medium of instruction.
• Arts and culture should be a priority. Sports development will be a priority.

HEALTH CARE:

• Health needs reforms. Focus on medicines, modern equipment. Free healthcare to Filipinos.
• Build more hospitals on government land to keep doctors, nurses, health care professionals home. Doctors should be pulled out of the salary standardization law.
• Subsidize medicines to bring down cost.

JUDICIARY:

• Next president should appoint the new chief justice. If GMA does it, will toss it to SC.

CORRUPTION: an economic problem.

STANDS ON:

Cha-cha/shift to parliamentary system: if you're going to do it now, against it. But during the next term of the president? for it. Indifferent towards constitutional convention or constituent assembly so long as its done properly. But against not including Senate.

Federalism/decentralization: What is important is the leader, not the systm.

VFA: continuing review. No more Daniel Smith cases.

Reproductive Health bill: against it only because it should not be put into law. Up to the person. Opinion is that population is not a liability.

Right of reply: against.

Death penalty: against.

Divorce/Marriage expiration: against.

Gay rights/gay marriage: human rights are important but divisive matters are not a priority.

Prosecuting GMA: leave it to judicial system