MY PRESIDENT

My President

Sama Sama Nating Ituloy ang Laban!

JUNE 30, 2010

Today is Noynoy Aquino’s inauguration day as the new President of the Philippine Republic. It is not only an occasion of victory but it is Noynoy’s most sacred oath, a dedication and consecration under God to the highest office in service of the Filipino people.

Now, the ever-increasing burdens are in his shoulder, the Filipino people has spoken, giving him the mandate for a real change.

Nevertheless, WE, the Filipino people have contributed to the recovery and progress of the nation. The recent election proves that democracy works and Noynoy’s victory has given a renewed hope and courage to all who have faith in government. But we should keep an eye on him, his action, especially the people that surrounds him, in other words we will guard him from the devil’s whispers and the wicked hands.

Today is a very important day, I am proud to be part of the new era of Philippine democracy, I am so proud I voted Noynoy as My President.

In his tenure….

My President…

WILL re-establish the vigor and effectiveness of law enforcement and entire machinery of justice, the redistribution of its functions, the simplification of its procedure, the better selection of judges, and the more effective organization of our agencies of investigation and prosecution that justice may be sure and that it may be swift. Reform, reorganization and strengthening the whole judicial and enforcement system, both in civil and criminal system.

WILL be a commander in chief that will never mislead us into war but never hesitate to use force when it is required. A commander in chief that is strong and dignified on his decision and will appoint a Defense Secretary and Army, Air Force and Navy’s Chief of Staff and PNP Chief  that upholds the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and not under the command of any politicians;

WILL transform a strong, flexible, and modern military force to guarantee our physical survival and the protection of our interests and values. Give more incentives to our soldiers, such as housing and free education for their children;

WILL demand hard evidence to those accused of subversion and reform the military and its intelligence arm – so policy is guided by facts, and facts are never distorted by politics. Make sure that our justice system must guarantee fairness with procedures that protect the rights of the accused;

WILL  prioritize peace in Muslim Mindanao, the peace of justice, the peace of righteousness but not peace at war. There will be a continuing genuine talks of peace, because without peace – there is fear and if there is fear – there will never be a future in Mindanao;

WILL break up the drug rings that are spreading poison on our streets. Give more teeth to our drug law enforcement agencies, courts, to speed justice for drug-related crimes and expand drug treatment centers for at-risk youth; and make sure that all of our school zones are drug-free;

WILL upgrade the teachers’ salary scale and amend the current system of budgeting for education across the regions. Rebuild and modernize our school buildings to assure students can attend schools that are modern, safe, and well-equipped for learning;

WILL launch a new national effort to provide basic skills in the newest technology so that Filipinos regardless of income, parents, children, or with disability, people in all walks of life - should be able to reach across a computer keyboard, and reach the vast new worlds of knowledge, commerce, and communication that are available at the touch of a fingertip;

WILL uplift the country’s economic downturn and create jobs that will provide equal opportunities for all Filipinos with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination;

WILL prioritized investment in technology and innovation, alternative fuels or energy that will create good-paying jobs in the future. Strengthening small business as a vital component of economic innovation, job creation, and supporting entrepreneurship;

WILL eradicate corruption, once and for all, and ending corruption means freeing all Filipinos from poverty and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy;

WILL value what’s right for every Filipino family. To care for our children because you believe in the family value of caring for children and protecting the neighborhoods where they walk and play. And make sure that senior citizens never have to cut their pills in half because they can’t afford life-saving medicine;

WILL not treat its people as an export commodity and a means to earn foreign exchange, but instead create and keep good paying jobs at home, so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity;

WILL negotiate trade agreements with the nations of the world and should include bilateral labor agreements on overseas Filipinos workers rights, human rights and ensure labor protection and worker’s safety at site;

WILL work side by side with masons, carpenters, laborers, developers and housing giants to help create decent and affordable housing for every Filipino family;

WILL give opportunity to create a rural renewal in our country’s farms with improved transportation and infrastructure, better access to capital and technology and an expansion of new markets for our crops, and strengthening our ability to compete in world markets;

WILL make sure that there is child care facilities in every barangay’s and improving the safety and quality of child care centers, in ensuring that children start school ready to read;

WILL work for free air country and make sure to reduce or eradicate climate-disrupting and health-threatening pollution in this country and make sure that our country will participate in world free air campaign;

WILL strengthen our alliances and partnerships around the world, more particularly in Asia that would intensify our strategic cooperation with our neighboring countries. Support democracy in Asia by promoting fair trade and promote hemispheric cooperation on a full spectrum of political, economic, security and social issues;

I know YOU-Will… Mr. President! Because I believed and I have trust in YOU.

Manuel “Bong” Amora

An Open Letter for You, in your Inauguration Day! Mr. President!

An Open Letter to the President-Elect of the Philippines

Dear President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III ,

Philippine President-Elect Noynoy Aquino

First and foremost, we extend our deepest and sincerest congratulations on your ascendancy to the highest-elected office of our beloved country through a democratic process that every Filipino can take pride in for many generations to come. The first step inherent in the process of transformation is recognizing the need for change – and our capacity to change for the better! Thus, from this point onward, we are hopeful that inspired by your convincing victory and leadership, every Filipino will assume his or her role and responsibility to change the status quo by initiating positive changes towards a better and brighter Philippines, no matter where he or she is, and regardless of what citizenship he or she now holds.

We, the Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (OFW), are a group of Filipinos based abroad and in the Philippines, representing various organizations implementing projects in the Philippines and in our host countries for many years now that are aimed to strategically harness the Philippines’ migration gains into mechanisms for the development of the motherland and our communities of origin.

Migration gains are mainly remittances by overseas Filipinos to their family members, which are now in the region of USD17 billion and are the primary source of livelihood for millions of Philippine households. At 10.8% of the country’s GDP, they are also the third biggest source of the country’s foreign currency reserves and act as primary driver for our economy, shielding us from bankruptcy during the financial crisis in 1997 and the current one.

The Filipino diaspora, estimated now at about 10 million working or residing in 239 countries and territories worldwide, send back donations to various humanitarian causes, such as disaster–relief, medical missions, schoolhouses, and other infrastructure. These contributions supplement local and national government deficits and, as of 2003, have already amounted to USD218 million, per BSP figures in that year.

We do not count here the investments made by OFWs in real estate and the education and health of their family members, and the money spent on various goods and services, as well as on construction, food, shelter, and other inflows that support sectors like the airlines, shopping centers, and banks. Yet, after more than three decades of overseas employment, we do not see genuine signs of poverty alleviation, and instead more and more of our countrymen leave for work abroad.

Ironically, the Philippine model of overseas migration has become a model of sorts, for other migrant-origin countries to emulate and even copy. This however does not tell the whole story or reveal the other face of migration that has escaped the serious attention of past administrations, specifically, the social costs that migration has bred since government-managed deployment started in the early 70s and up to the present, where we now see at least 3,000 of many of the best and brightest Filipinos leaving daily to take up jobs overseas, due to local employment deficits.

Other nations like South Korea, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Taiwan, who once were labor exporting countries, have been able to get over their migration hump, as a result of their governments’ consciously harnessing their workers’ remittances and investing them to develop local infrastructure, shipyards, factories, and other industries. Convinced of the effectiveness of government programs and also trustful of their leaders’ sincerity, these countries’ expatriates and overseas workers, at great sacrifice, left their high-paying jobs overseas and returned to their home countries to lend their talents and acquired expertise in further helping their respective country’s leap towards developed status even working at low salaries.

India, another migrant-sending country, is also now going in that direction. These examples serve to illustrate the dictum that migration should be temporary, that it must not be used as a substitute for development. The desirable goal of countries wishing to be strong and globally competitive must necessarily be self-sufficiency and the ability to provide its people with necessary components needed for their human development.

The advent of a new administration, especially one under your inspired leadership, is a good time to ask where the Philippines is going regarding migration, and to act accordingly. Shall we continue to send out our people and rely on remittances and without any development objectives in sight? Conversely, don’t we have the talent to formulate a road map towards self-sufficiency over a period of time, in order that the hemorrhage of talents could be stopped, that a crisis in our dysfunctional families and society at large could be averted, and so that our people do not have to take migration as a forced option? If long-term migration goals are set now, the government could in the meantime work on some basic but urgent deployment and migration issues in order to clear the way towards having a genuine and serious program on translating migration gains for use in human development.

In view of this, we humbly suggest starting to look at the following:

• The government must send clear and strong signals that migration and remittances are only temporary measures to help the government prepare for a longer-term goal of self sufficiency, in which Filipinos no longer look at migration as a forced option. This must be integrated in Medium-Term Development Plans, which is currently being formulated by NEDA, and which should also include how in the meantime strategies, policies, and mechanisms for the productive use and investment of remittances could be harnessed to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

• Create a position for a Special Presidential Adviser on Migration and Development, who will work with a technical working group (TWG) composed of qualified individuals who have a background in migration and development, including knowledgeable and committed migrant leaders. Among others, the TWG could conduct studies, consultations, and discussions, and come up with updated situationers and appropriate policy recommendations on how to effectively translate remittances and migrant resources to develop local economies; and to address social costs, facilitation of return migration, reintegration, mechanisms for the counterparting of funds between Filipino diaspora groups, LGUs, and development agencies for local and countryside development, incentives for OFW investments in agriculture, SME, infrastructure, microfinance, cooperatives, and other sectors that need stronger funding support. The work could take the form of draft legislation for study by Congress’s standing committee on OFWs or form the basis for an Executive or Administrative Order, whichever is appropriate or workable. The committee’s work shall be purely consultative and should not supplant the work of government migration agencies.

• Review and monitor the performance of government agencies in charge of migrant workers, such as the POEA, OWWA, CFO, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with a view to strengthening these institutions, reducing wasteful and ineffective programs or duplication of work, giving agencies needed resources and funds for effective implementation of programs, and strengthening the capacity of their overseas offices to become centers of service to migrant workers overseas.

• Departing OFWs contribute USD25 each as a requirement for departure and membership in OWWA and entitlement of welfare benefits. The total corpus of this trust fund is already at the level of at least PHP10 billion. The disposition and administration of this fund has been subject of criticisms, as its use has not been transparent and shown susceptibility to mismanagement. Specifically, reforms in OWWA should (1) impose strict criteria in the process of selection of people who will sit in the Board of Trustees, such that only those qualified and are committed to work for their constituents are appointed, e.g., women OFWs, sea-based, land-based, etc. (2) OWWA proceedings should be made transparent and open to public scrutiny, particularly the investment of the trust funds. (3) the incoming administration, for the benefit of OFWs and through the working group, should require from the current OWWA board an accounting of OWWA funds and how they were invested/used. To this end, the most recent COA audit of migration agencies, like POEA, OWWA, DFA, and POLO offices overseas, must be consulted.

• The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) are two small agencies that are doing important work on mobilizing diaspora contributions for development and assistance to OFWs who are reintegrating to Philippine society after working abroad. The CFO, for instance, has submitted recommendations on how gaps and barriers to enhanced diaspora contributions could be addressed, but these have never been acted upon. The NRCO, in the three years it has been created, has given assistance and referrals on livelihood and employment to OFW returnees affected by the global crisis. Their work should be seriously looked into, and whenever necessary, the appropriate level of funds, resources, and support should be given to these agencies.

• Lack of financial literacy or of the ability to use resources and incomes productively and wisely has been highlighted as a major cultural barrier among not only OFWs but also for most Filipinos. It prevents our people from improving their socio-economic conditions, despite years of employment in the Philippines or overseas. This refers to lack of savings or investment mindset and excessive spending on non-essentials. No less than an institutionalized nationwide program on financial literacy will be able to address this and should include not only OFWs but also members of their family.

The BSP has been the lead government agency that has conducted financial literacy seminars for OFWs and families since 2006 in more than 30 Philippine cities and 10 cities overseas. This program could be improved and expanded through an impact assessment of the campaign and which might include providing resources for enlisting the DECS to include financial literacy and migration as part of school curriculum, starting from grade school, or the LGUs, by including financial literacy and social costs of migration in the Pre-employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) conducted in their territories for intending migrants.

As a final note, while the recommendations above address specific OFW issues, the programs you had avowed to pursue in your electoral campaign on good governance—better access to health, education, employment and livelihood, and business opportunities for all—are all in the right track, constitute the basic elements for self-sufficiency, and provide viable options to our citizens to remain in the country and to devote their talents and resources to developing the homeland. On these, please be assured of our continued support.

Signed:

Doris Alfafara, Habagat Foundation, The Netherlands
Ren Arrieta, USA
Alex Veloso Bello, Saudi Arabia
Marvin Bionat, USA
Ding Bagasao, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF), Philippines
Jack Catarata, Germany
Basco Fernandez, Damayang Pilipino sa Nederland, The Netherlands
Lorna Lardizabal Dietz
Cristina Liamzon, Italy
Judith Puyat-Magnaye, USA
Mariel Vincent Rapisura, SEDPI Philippines
Leila Rispens-Noel, Wimler Partnership for Social Progress, Hongkong/Contact Person
Dennis Yaun, Luxembourg

We need Charter Change

We need Charter Change

I : 2010 Election a success

Majority of the Filipino people actively embraced the new voting system, the “Automated Election System (AES)” which basically contributed to the success of the Philippine May 2010 election. It also means that manual election system is now part of the Philippine history. Although there were isolated glitches but rectifying the same would be an overwhelming success in the future Philippine electoral processes.

Congratulations to the winners! Especially to my President. The mandate of the Filipino people has spoken and now Aquino is armed with that mandate. Please don’t disappoint us, the Filipinos is giving you a chance to eradicate corruption once and for all. Don’t tarnish the good reputation of Ninoy and Cory. Keep us out from poverty and fix the problems we so desperately want to fix, the infrastructure, education, energy and health care.

II: The Aftermath

However, the aftermath of election remains unresolved. For each election brought a landslide of garbage. These are the rubbish generated not only by voting the wrong people in public office. These are the waste left in the election campaign of candidates from local to national to village level fighting for elective positions in government – posters, brochures, banners, placards, pamphlets, sample ballots, stickers, calendars, pins, buttons, banners, and other printed materials. Not to mention the billions of Pesos the government spent every election. A taxpayer’s money used to exercise our right of suffrage is a lot of money that instead can be used in other form for the benefit of the poor Filipinos.

Perhaps a two party system is the answer to this problem. It can lessen waste of votes and waste of taxpayer’s money.

III: What is a two party system?

Two Party System

The two-party system is a form of party system where two major political parties dominate in most elections, in part, at any level.

Under a two-party system, one of the two parties in general has a majority of the legislature (the parliament or a house on a bicameral system),  and is determined as the majority party. The smaller parties as the minority party called.

Prominent examples of countries with two-party systems including the U.S., Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Malta and Japan. Even though these countries are often thought of as two-party states, other parties have little longer, but significant bases and have seen the candidates elected to local or regional offices. In general, a two-party system, a share of the political spectrum in a field right and left parties.

Some governments, certain chambers of a two-party system and the other similar to a multiparty system. For example, the policy of Australia largely two-party (if the Liberal Party and National Party are both parties at the national level because of their longstanding alliance) for the Australian House of Representatives are elected by a ballot of the majority. However, others are more common in the Australian Senate, a proportional electoral system uses more amenable to smaller parties.

IV: Federalism

One of the most complex foundations of the United States is the principle of federalism. This is the idea that the central government does not control all power in the country. States also have the powers reserved for them. Each state is responsible for its own affairs without always relying on the federal government.

I think the form of government that we are now simply too overwhelmed with problems, the services required by the people and other things that need attention. If it decides to somehow transfer the important services closer to people, then at least relieved the national government too much effort. Even the developing countries, the development of sub-economy, and then in different parts of the country is most likely to occur.

If Philippines will embrace a Federal system of Government, we will split into separate regions or states, each with its own autonomy and economics and law. Each region has to manage its own affairs of governance. Maybe, a Governor, the highest chief executive of the region, could head it. Each region will have a democratically elected member of the Senate. We don’t need hundreds of  “districts” lawmakers that will represents in Congress. We don’t need many elected officials. The lesser representations in the Senate or Congress the lesser the corruption in government and could perhaps eradicate rampant vote buying during elections.

Federalism could result in better consultation and cooperation that will lead to improvements in any sector and good management. In the social sector, a federal government can play a key role in ensuring a high quality of life for all citizens in their own regions according to their customs, traditions and beliefs.

The federal region will see to it that the public goods, the supply market is enough and perhaps can compete to other regions in the implementation of infrastructure, learning and training, transportation, healthcare and environment protection.  It will give opportunity for each region, instead of treating them as recipients of services from the national government.

It can also anchor for economic growth and development on a policy of genuine agrarian reform and true industrialization of the regions in the entire country. It will ensure that the Philippine economy produced from all over the country will be competitive in the world market.

The National Federal Government should impartially allocate and encourage foreign and domestic investments among the regions that should translate to the local employment, food on every family’s table, decent housing and medical care, and quality education for all. The delivery of basic social services will always take precedence, as the welfare of the entire nation shall never be sacrifices to gods of the global market.

To the new administration, perhaps it’s about time to think and study a two party political system and a federal form of government for a better Philippines.  But before that, we need  Charter Change. – Bong A.

Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte 2010 election result

NASIPIT SEAL

PRESIDENT of PHILIPPINES

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
AQUINO, Benigno Simeon III C.	LIBERAL PARTY	8286	43.63%
VILLAR, Manuel Jr B.	NACIONALISTA PARTY	3495	18.40%
ESTRADA EJERCITO, Joseph M.	PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO	3101	16.33%
TEODORO, Gilberto Jr. C.	LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS	2864	15.08%
VILLANUEVA, Eduardo C.	BANGON PILIPINAS	821	4.32%
GORDON, Richard J.	BAGUMBAYAN-VNP	253	1.33%
ACOSTA, Vetellano S.	KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN	115	0.61%
PERLAS, Jesus Nicanor P.	INDEPENDENT	29	0.15%
MADRIGAL, Jamby A.	INDEPENDENT	18	0.09%
DE LOS REYES, John Carlos G.	ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY	10	0.05%

VICE-PRESIDENT of PHILIPPINES Candidate Party Votes Percentage ROXAS, Manuel A. LIBERAL PARTY 8727 47.73% BINAY, Jejomar C. PARTIDO DEMOKRATIKO PILIPINO LAKAS NG BAYAN 5497 30.06% LEGARDA, Loren B. NATIONALIST PEOPLES COALITION 2487 13.60% MANZANO, Eduardo B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 750 4.10% FERNANDO, Bayani F. BAGUMBAYAN-VNP 439 2.40% YASAY, Perfecto R. BANGON PILIPINAS 310 1.70% SONZA, Jose Y. KILUSANG BAGONG LIPUNAN 43 0.24% CHIPECO, Dominador Jr F. ANG KAPATIRAN PARTY 31 0.17% MAYOR of AGUSAN DEL NORTE – NASIPIT Candidate Party Votes Percentage PLAZA, Roscoe Democrito B. NACIONALISTA PARTY 9904 51.79% DOYON, Roy Orlando D. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 9218 48.21% VICE-MAYOR of AGUSAN DEL NORTE – NASIPIT Candidate Party Votes Percentage TIMOGAN, Ronald N. INDEPENDENT 7308 40.22% TAMAYO, Arcelo P. NACIONALISTA PARTY 4477 24.64% AMPO, Servando L. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 3874 21.32% TAPERE, Arnold L. INDEPENDENT 2509 13.81%

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of AGUSAN DEL NORTE – NASIPIT – LONE DIST Candidate Party Votes Percentage CARMONA, Dick Victor B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 9536 8.54% BENIGA, Leonardo C. INDEPENDENT 8386 7.51% DOMPOR, Josefina M. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 7838 7.02% CUHIT, Rodrigo C. INDEPENDENT 7581 6.79% COMPENDIO, Custodio Jr. B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 5978 5.35% MAGTIBAY, Hector B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 5407 4.84% SELIM, Benjamin S. INDEPENDENT 5149 4.61% AMORA, Antidio B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 5055 4.53% OLARIO, Raul A. INDEPENDENT 4842 4.33% SAGARAL, Guillermo N. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 4589 4.11% GULLE, Ebello B. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 4318 3.87% AQUINO, Renato B. INDEPENDENT 4152 3.72% COCON, Vicente M. INDEPENDENT 3721 3.33% VILLACARLOS, Ronaldo E. INDEPENDENT 3651 3.27% AGUIRRE, Ma. Lucrecia L. INDEPENDENT 3341 2.99% MIRA, Adonis G. INDEPENDENT 3245 2.90% BITANGCOR, Alberto, Sr. R. LAKAS KABALIKAT NG MALAYANG PILIPINO CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS 3218 2.88% BAYHON, Rooseque O. INDEPENDENT 2803 2.51% ESPARAGOZA, Efren Jr. L. INDEPENDENT 2398 2.15% ILUSTRISIMO, Cesario V. INDEPENDENT 2135 1.91% CASING, Justo R. INDEPENDENT 2006 1.80% LOBITE, Carlos O. INDEPENDENT 1803 1.61% TECSON, Estelito, Jr. T. INDEPENDENT 1694 1.52% SABANDAL, Jesus C. INDEPENDENT 1372 1.23% MIRA, Ciaro A. INDEPENDENT 1348 1.21% CABARLES, Virgilio J. INDEPENDENT 1315 1.18% VILLANUEVA, Roman A. INDEPENDENT 1237 1.11% PELIGRINO, Filemon E. INDEPENDENT 998 0.89% GALADO, Hermelinda E. INDEPENDENT 989 0.89% RUIZ, Cezar F. INDEPENDENT 934 0.84% FELIAS, Freno D. INDEPENDENT 667 0.60%

Road to progress

Road to progress

Lapu Lapu City my second home

Been a resident of  Basak, Lapu Lapu City since 2003 when my family decided to settle down in this beautiful city where the famous first battle cry of  Filipinos transpired against foreign invaders;  and of course the city where  Mactan-Cebu International Airport  is located, the second busiest airport in the entire  Philippines.

I may consider Lapu Lapu City as my second home after moving here from my beloved hometown  Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte.  I also witnessed its continuing progress and developments as early as 1982  till I  finished my college course at Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics (PAFCA)  now Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PSCA) located in Mactan Air Base before I went to Manila after college graduation.

I  just can’t believe that from hard coral rock with 40% rocky terrain land area it became a first class highly urbanized industrial city in the province of Cebu plus to its famous beaches, resorts, subdivisions and home of 5star hotels.

But I also couldn’t believe that the progress of the city coincides with rampant corruption of those in local government and widespread poverty continues to grow behind the on-going road to progress.

Change of leadership

With the clamor of the people to change leadership in the city, a man destined to become the new Mayor of the city emerge in the person of businessman Efrain “Jun” Pelaez Jr., head of the Mactan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (MCCI).

Efrain “Jun” Pelaez Jr., promised yesterday night  in a rally held at Basak, Lapu Lapu City to transform the city within 3 years into a “little Singapore” from the dirtiest nation’s premier tourist destination once he is elected this coming May 10, 2010 election. Eradicate corruption in local government, beautify the whole island, more health care and housing to poor people of Lapu Lapu City and bring more new investments to the city.

Cited as major problems in the city are unattended bad roads, illegal construction, squatting and the lack of tourism-related projects and the political will to enforce environmental laws as factors that undermined the City’s economic and tourism growth.

Who is Jun Pelaez?

Armed with “Kalihokan sa Katawhan alang sa Kalamboan” or KKK or People’s Movement for Progress. Jun Pelaez is determined to eradicate corruption for progress; the Liberal Party standard bearer for Mayor in the city is not a politician but is destined to become the Mayor of Lapu Lapu city. A graduate of A.B. Economics of Ateneo De Manila University and got his Masters degree in business Economics at University  of Notre dame, Indiana, USA.

He was also awarded as Sunstar Citizen of the year 2007 in Business Category.

As an ordinary citizen of the city, he was able to build two schools in Punta Engano. A Library full of imported educational books from USA. Sponsor college scholarship from 1996 to date. Help organized feeding programs in various barangays in Lapu Lapu city and provide employment opportunities to (Opon) Oponganon. As a businessman, he was able to facilitate investments of more than P 1 Billion in the city.

I trust this man to become a good Mayor in Lapu Lapu city and I believed this man that as businessman he will make the city a little Singapore once he is elected in office.

Let us vote Jun Pelaez  the man that will really serve Oponganon towards the road for prosperity and progress.