Mar Roxas is Liberal Party's bet for President in 2010

It's final. The Liberal Party of the Philippines has endorsed Senator Mar Roxas as their Presidential candidate for the 2010 elections.
"The process of selecting our standard-bearer is just a formality because Mar Roxas is our standard-bearer, period," Franklin Drilon, a former Senate president, told reporters as his party mates cheered.
The selection of Roxas makes the party’s process in choosing its presidential candidate a mere formality, Drilon added.

Read more about this news:
Now that it's confirmed, let's help make this one possible.

ORAS NA! ROXAS NA!

Saturday, January 31, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Would it be a Mar Roxas-Noynoy Aquino tandem in 2010?

After Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, who was tasked by Liberal Party chairman former Sen. Franklin Drilon to head the party’s Electoral Preparatory Committee bared a the list of considered 2010 senatorial candidates for the party, I wondered who would be Senator Mar Roxas' running-mate?

I named Senators Noynoy Aquino and Francis Pangilinan.

What do you think about this one? A Roxas-Aquino tandem in 2010?


Roxas is the grandson of former President Manuel Acuña Roxas and son of former Senator Gerardo Roxas while Aquino is the only son of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and Marcos-era opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino.

Share your thoughts with me...

Friday, January 30, 2009 | posted in , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas: Barangay Health Corps to help deal with crisis

Stressing the need to bring quality health services to the barangay level, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas has filed a bill seeking the appointment of health workers in every barangay nationwide as frontline health workers, especially at this time that the global financial crisis has hit home.

Roxas has filed Senate Bill No. 3012, or the proposed Barangay Health Workers Act of 2009, seeking the appointment of at least five (5) barangay health workers in each of the country's 41,994 barangays.
"Sa panahong ito ng krisis, mahalagang unahin natin ang kalusugan ng bawat isa, at pwede nating gawin ito kung magtatalaga tayo ng mga health workers sa ating mga barangay (In this time of crisis, we must protect the health of our people first and foremost, and we can do that by appointing health workers in each barangay)," he said.
The delivery of basic services and facilities such as health and social welfare services were devolved to the local government units following the enactment of the 1991 Local Government Code.
"It is, however, ironic that while barangay health workers are the front-liners in providing health care services to the community, there is no existing mechanism to secure that all barangays are equipped with the services of their own barangay health worker. This bill seeks to remedy this situation," the author of the Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008 explained in filing the bill.
Under the proposed SB 3012, a barangay health worker shall refer to a person who has undergone training program under any accredited government or non-government organization primarily to render health care services.

Health workers eligible for the job shall be duly-accredited by the municipal or city health board in accordance with guidelines set by the Department of Health (DoH).

The bill also allows each of the country's barangay to hire at least 5 health workers, who shall be entitled to allowances and benefits similar to that received by other appointed barangay officials, as well as security of tenure. The barangay health providers can only be dismissed from work based on valid cause as provided under existing civil service rules and regulations.

It likewise mandates the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), to promulgate within 90 days from its enactment the rules and regulations necessary to implement its provisions.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

"Hello, Garci" general heads the National Printing Office

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas last Sunday said he is deeply suspicious of President Arroyo's motives in appointing retired Adm. Tirso Danga as the new head of the National Printing Office (NPO) which would print ballots for the 2010 elections.
"Mahalagang ibalik ng ating gobyerno ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa malinis na eleksyon sa 2010, pero sa pag-appoint ni GMA kay Danga sa NPO ay lalo lang tumindi ang suspetsa natin na walang balak si GMA na gawing malinis ang susunod na halalan (It's important that the government restore public trust in the integrity of the elections in 2010, but GMA's appointment of Danga to NPO only confirms our suspicions that GMA does not intend to clean the elections in 2010)," Roxas said.
Danga was head of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) when its agents bugged phone conversations between President Arroyo and then Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano where the Chief Executive supposedly asked the elections official about her "one million votes" for her in the 2004 elections.

The incident has stuck in public minds as the "Hello Garci" controversy and reinforced widespread suspicions she cheated opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr.

Roxas said Danga's appointment to NPO could be Plan B if President Arroyo and her allies in Congress fail to ram through the Gloria Forever Charter Change through a constituent assembly that Malacanang's congressional cohorts plans to illegally convene without the Senate's participation.
"Hindi pa nga nasasagot ni Admiral Danga ang mga tanong sa kanyang naging papel sa kaso ng Hello Garci ay eto at siya pa ang ilalagay sa ahensyang gagawa ng mga balota para sa eleksyon. Talagang garapalan na ang ginagawa ng Malacanang (Admiral Danga has yet to answer questions about her role in the Hello Garci case, yet here he is being appointed to the agency that will print the ballots for the 2010 elections. Malacanang is trying to pull a fast one over the nation)," he said.

"What assurance do we have that this is not a plot to manipulate the printing of ballots for the 2010 elections so that the administration can dominate next year's elections? None, given this administration's black record of cheating, stealing and lying," the LP President said.
Earlier, Roxas warned that President Arroyo's appointment of retired generals in key agencies compromised the civilian nature of the government and fuelled fears this could be a prelude to Mrs. Arroyo's abrogating total control of the government through martial rule, especially if her administration's Charter Change plans would not succeed.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas 2010 Blog Improvements

Hello there everyone! Kevin Ray N. Chua here, the one behind this blog.

For the past few weeks, I have been tweaking this blog to make it more navigable, accessible, informational, user-friendly and content-rich. With its new blog layout and blog features, I have been receiving good feedbacks from different people.

The current blog layout and theme is far more better than the past 2 previous themes. The first blog layout was just of a minimal type, as the blog was just starting. But, until it progressed after months of being online, I thought of making a new blog theme for it. I changed the colors in line with Senator Mar Roxas' official colors and tadaaah, a new blog theme.

After 1 year and 5 months, I decided to change both the blog theme and the blog layout as it has became cluttered and it loaded slowly. Then, just this January of 2009, this blog went online with a new face. Something that can be seen as a professional blog with user-friendly and informational contents.

One thing that can be easily noticed is the featured content slide show. Through this one, I can promote to my readers, like you, blog post which are worth reading.

There are now also new pages about Mar Roxas stance on different issues, Mar Roxas for President in 2010 local and people groups pages, Mar Roxas TV, and more informational contents.

You can also surf across this blog for more improvements and changes as 2010 gets closer. Expect for more features to come!

Tell me what are your thoughts about this one by dropping me a note.

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Senator Roxas: Stop militarization of gov't

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today warned President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that her appointment of ex-military men in the civilian agencies compromises the civilian nature of the government.
"Mahalagang protektahan natin ang pagiging sibilyan ng ating gobyerno. Ang mensahe nito ka pulutong na nagdududa kay GMA ay baka preparasyon ito para sa martial law (It's important to protect the civilian nature of government. It's message to those who distrust GMA is this is a preparation for martial law)," Roxas said.

"Nakita na natin iyan sa panahon ni Marcos, kung saan ang nakapalibot sa kanya ay mga taong militar (We already saw that during the Marcos era when military people dominated his inner circle)," he said.
He said this in light of the recent appointment of former Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and ex-police chief Gen. Avelino Razon as presidential adviser on the peace process; as well as the Palace's pronouncements that former Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan is being considered to head the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
"Para sa milyong Pilipino na walang tiwala sa administrasyong ito, ang ibig sabihin nito'y pinaliligiran na ni GMA ang sarili niya ng mga taong walang kwestiyon sa anumang iligal na utos mula sa Pangulo. Martial law na ba ang kasunod nito? (For the millions of Filipinos who distrust GMA, it means she's surroungind herself with yes-men who won't question any illegal directives from the President. Is martial law next?)," Roxas asked.

Sunday, January 25, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas to Department of Budget and Management: Allow LGUs to use funds to import Cheap Meds

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said the Department of Budget and Management should allow local government units (LGUs) to use its funds to purchase quality and affordable medicines directly from the Philippine International Trading Corp.

Roxas—in partnership with City Government of Baguio, DSWD-Baguio and DOH-CAR— last Friday held a medical mission and forum on the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 at the Sunshine Park, which was attended by about 600 senior citizens.
"Mas mabilis ang pagdating ng murang gamot sa kamay ng taumbayan kung kalahok ang mga LGU sa programang ito (The LGUs' participation in the cheaper medicines program will hasten the access of the people to quality and affordable medicines), the primary author of the landmark law said.

"Kaya dapat nang payagan ng DBM ang mga LGU na bumili ng murang gamot sa PITC gamit ang nakalaang pondo nila. (DBM should allow LGUs to use its allocated funds for cheaper medicines through the PITC)," he said.
During the forum, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Chairperson of the Baguio City Council Social Welfare and Development Committee, conveyed to Roxas that it would be faster for LGUs like Baguio City to purchase medicines for their senior citizens and other sectors in need if DBM exempts from the normal yet lengthy bidding process any direct purchase of medicines from the PITC.

To which, Roxas replied that direct purchases from PITC—which is mandated to import quality and affordable medicines from other countries—should be considered a government-to-government transaction which involves the protection and saving of human lives, thus, negotiated procurement may be allowed.
"Ang mahalaga ay madala natin sa taumbayan ang abot-kaya at de-kaledad na gamot. Magtulungan tayo para mapabilis ang aksyon ng gobyerno (It's important that we bring quality and affordable medicines to the people through the fastest possible process. Let's help each other so government action would be swifter)," he stressed.

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Senator Roxas: GMA to blame for pre-need woes

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas last Friday said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is to blame for the impending loss of billions of pesos in investments by Filipino parents in pre-need companies because of her inaction and lack of concern on the pre-need companies' financial abuses these past years.
"Where is Gloria – the economist that she is – in this catastrophe? Where is her leadership? This just shows that Gloria's not really minding the store," he said.

"Ang talo dito ay ang mga kababayan natin (The losers again are our people). Gloria has compromised their children's future," he stressed.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce said he will file a resolution seeking to reopen the investigation into the pre-need mess that started three years ago with the collapse of College Assurance Plan (CAP), Inc., a company formerly co-owned by the family of Arroyo.

He noted that when the industry first showed signs of distress three years ago, the government did not even take any step to strengthen regulation of the pre-need business, at the expense of 800,000 plan holders who lost their hard-earned money.
"Noon pa man ay sinabi na natin na kailangang paghandaan ng pamahalaan ang anumang krisis pinansiyal na maaaring harapin ng pre-need industry. Nakita naman nating lahat kung ano ang nangyari sa CAP (I have already warned the government about preparing safety nets for the pre-need industry. We have seen what happened to CAP)," he said.

"Ang mahalaga ay protektahan ang pinaghirapang pera ng daan libo nating kababayan. Mahalaga ang kinabukasan ng mga batang siguradong mas apektado ng krisis-pinansiyal na ito (It is important that we protect the hard-earned monies of our citizens. It is important that we ensure a good future for our children and make sure they are not affected by this financial slump)," he said.
Industry figures show that as of end-June 2008, the industry's trust fund deficit has ballooned to a whopping P46.83 billion, which is extremely opposed to a surplus of P6.8 billion as of end-December 2007. Pre-need firms have also reportedly written the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2008 and warned that if urgent solutions are not implemented, the industry's financial woes could lead to the demise of the industry and many unfulfilled promises to plan holders.

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Senator Roxas gives up "again" his P200 million pork barrel

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today announced he was giving up his P200 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for 2009, as he called on the public to closely monitor President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's implementation of the P1.43-trillion 2009 national budget to prevent its misuse for Charter Change and partisan activities.
"Muli ay hindi ko gagamitin ang aking PDAF. Kailangang magkaroon tayo ng pondo para sa mga programang naglalayong mabawasan ang epekto sa ating ekonomiya nitong krisis pinansiyal na umaapekto sa buong mundo (Again, I am not using my PDAF, in the light of the need to allocate more resources for emergency programs to deal with the effects of the global financial crisis)," Roxas announced as the Senate ratified the 2009 General Appropriations Act.
Roxas has not received any of his PDAF allocation since the latter half of 2005 after the Liberal Party which he heads withdrew its support to the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"We will make sure that President Arroyo will not misuse the P1.43 trillion budget that Congress approved for her government for corruption like the fertilizer fund scam, the botched NBN-ZTE deal and other anomalies that occurred during her eight-year stay in office," the LP president said.
Roxas said he had requested Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that his PDAF share be given to the Department of Trade and Industry for small and micro-lending facilities to generate more small and medium businesses which will fuel the economy in the rural areas and generate more employment in this time of crisis.

He said he also suggested that additional funding be given to the Department of Agriculture's rice and fertilizer programs to help farmers nationwide cope with inflation and to ensure food security.

He insisted more has to be done by the government aside from mere lip service, noting that despite President Arroyo's announcement her administration will come up with safety nets to reduce the effects of the world financial crisis, he has yet to see any concrete action.
"Nasan na 'yung sinasabi ni GMA na mga safety nets, mga emergency programs, para doon sa mga maaapektuhan nitong krisis pinansiyal na ito? Wala pa rin akong nakikitang konkretong aksyon ng gobyerno. Ano pa ba ang hinihintay nila? (Where are the safety nets, the emergency programs, promised by GMA? I have yet to see concrete action from this administration. What are they waiting for?)" he asked.

Thursday, January 22, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas calls for Botika ng Bayan accessible to every barangay

For quality and affordable medicines to be truly accessible to the poor, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas called on the government and private sector to invest in establishing drugstore outlets accessible to all 45,000 barangays.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce stressed that prices of medicines in the Philippines remains among the highest in the region - including the 11 vital drugs that each Filipino should have access to.
“Kulang na kulang pa ang mga Botika ng Bayan. Kasabay ng pagpapababa sa presyo ng gamot, kailangan din nating siguruhing may mapagbibilhan ng mga gamot na ito (We have too few Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide. Together with the fight to lower medicine prices, we should also ensure that these medicines are easily accessible to the public),” he said.

“Kailangang itulak pa ang pagpaparami ng mga Botika ng Bayan. Kulitin natin ang gobyerno na maglaan ng pondo rito. Manawagan din tayo sa pribadong sektor na magpundar sa layuning ito (We should push for more Botika ng Bayan outlets. Let’s continue to call on the government to allocate funds for this. Let’s also call on the private sector to invest in this cause),” he stressed.
Roxas, primary author of the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, said that cheaper versions of the 11 vital drugs–which are up to 90% cheaper than branded counterparts–should be promoted and made available to all parts of the country.

For instance, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) costs P27.30 per 50mg capsule, while it could be sourced at only P1.50 per capsule. Antiox (Mebendazole) costs P60 per 500mg tablet, while it could be sourced at only P4.50 per tablet.

The Ilonggo senator pointed out that at present, there are about 1,800 Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide. However, he pointed out that the number of existing Botika ng Bayan outlets is only more than half of the government’s own target of 3,300 outlets in 2010, as indicated in the National Statistical Coordination Board’s Statistical Indicators on Philippine Development.
“Panawagan nating magkaroon ng 18,000 pang Botika ng Bayan para mailapit talaga sa taumbayan ang mabisa at abot-kayang gamot. Kung kaya nga nating bawat isa sa 45,000 barangay sa bansa, bakit hindi natin gawin? (We call for at least 18,000 more Botika ng Bayan outlets so that quality and affordable medicines are within reach by the people. If we can even put in place a drug store in each of the 45,000 barangays in the country, let’s DOH it),” he said.
Botika ng Bayan are privately-owned retail drug outlets where cheaper medicines purchased by the Philippine International Trading Corp. through parallel importation and other means are sold.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 3 comments [ More ]

The Liberal Party's 2010 Senatorial Line-up

Below are the people being considered as 2010 senatorial candidates for the Liberal Party (LP). I repeat, the people below are still being considered and are still not the final bets of LP as what the LP-Atienza wing tries to claim.

Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, who was tasked by LP chairman former Sen. Franklin Drilon to head the party’s Electoral Preparatory Committee, listed down the following potential "senatoriables":
  • Former Senator Franklin Drilon
  • Former Agriculture Secretary Florencio “Butch" Abad
  • Muntinlupa Rep. Rozanno Rufino “Ruffy" Biazon
  • Quezon Rep. Erin Tanada
  • former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta
  • Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo
  • Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca
  • Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio
  • TV personality Cory Quirino
In my own opinion, they should also include Prof. Danton Remoto and former Genuine Opposition Spokesperson Adel Tamano. I know they're not a member of LP but I believe they can be adopted by the party.

Much about the senatorial candidates, I wonder who would be Senator Roxas' running-mate? Would it be Senator Noynoy Aquino or Senator Francis Pangilinan?

How about you? Who do you think should be included in the vetting process for senatorial candidates of LP?

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas to DOH: Set maximum retail price of medicines

The Department of Health (DOH) can moderate prices of medicines and make vital drugs more affordable to the people as laid down by the provisions the new Cheaper Medicines law, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas said today.

Roxas pointed out the Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008 gave the DoH the authority to establish maximum retail prices for important medicines, such as maintenance drugs, sold in pharmacies nationwide.
"Kailangang siguruhin ng DoH na maayos nitong maipatutupad ang batas. At dahil binigyan ito ng karapatang kontrolin ang presyo ng mga gamot na ibebenta sa mga botika, sana ay hindi ito magpadala sa mga lobbying o impluwensiya ng malalaking kumpanya ng gamot na tuloy-tuloy ang pagharang sa pagpapatupad ng batas (The DOH should make sure that it can properly implement the law. Since the law gave it the power to control prices of medicines, it should not be swayed by the lobbying of big drug companies who have always fought against the law)," he said.
He reminded the DoH that "the government is the representative of the people. The only people you must be fair to are the consumers of medicines" and not the big pharmaceutical farms who have been actively lobbying against the enactment and administration of the law.
"The big pharmaceutical companies can take care of themselves. They have their lawyers, accountants, lobbyists, so they can take care of themselves. Precisely the government is there, to balance out their interests, precisely in favor of the consumers," he said.
The Ilonggo senator said the DoH can set a maximum retail price for medicines prescribed in government hospitals and by public doctors.
"May kakayahan ang DoH na sabihin sa lahat ng government hospitals, you can only buy medicines that are within this price band. Tapos, dito sa Philhealth, mag-reimburse lang sila sa medicines that comply with this price band ng sa ganoon (The DoH can tell government hospitals to buy medicines only within this price band. It can also tell Philhealth to reimburse only medicines that comply with the set price band of the DoH), then the market power of the government can be used to moderate prices," he said.
He added medicines sold in Botika ng Bayan outlets nationwide should also be subject to the maximum retail price set by the health department.

The Ilonggo senator recalled that when during his stint as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry he opened the Botika ng Barangay outlets, the prices of vital medicines were really very cheap.

However, after his term ended, he lamented the then newly-opened Botika ng Bayan stores upped the prices, dismaying the public and prompting them to go back to buying their medicines from big pharmacies that sold expensive drugs.
"Kaya parang nawala yung direksyon ng Botika ng Bayan (That was why the Botika ng Bayan seemed to have failed). For the system and the government to continue to allow the charging of expensive medicine is in the nature of qualified theft. We are allowing the taking of this money from poor people's pockets for what they can't afford, when in fact an equivalent but cheaper medicine is already available," he said.

"Marami sa mga sinasabi ng gobyerno ay propaganda lang. Mayroon ngang Botika ng Bayan, wala namang gamot, walang supply. Mayroong sinasabing ganito, ganoon, wala namang implementasyon. Kailangan nating kulitin, kalampagin ang gobyerno, para maisakatuparan itong Quality Affordable Medicines Law (Many of what the government is saying are mere propaganda. There maybe Botika ng Bayan outlets but many of these do not have medicines, they do not have supplies. They say one this and that but they're really not administering the law. That's why we have to rattle the government and demand that it properly implements the Quality Affordable Medicines law)," he said.

Sunday, January 18, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Mar Roxas - Oras Na!

Below are artistic images of Senator Mar Roxas inspired by Shepard Fairey's Barack Obama Art.

Feel free to grab it and spread the message!

P.S. If you have an artwork or image art about Senator Mar Roxas, please do share it with me and I'll post it here in my blog so that you can help me in making Mar Roxas our next President in 2010.

ORAS NA! ROXAS NA!

Saturday, January 17, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Bisdak Blogger

I'm a BISDAK BLOGGER!

This blogger is a proud Bisdak Blogger! A Bisdak Blogger is someone who is Bisayang Dako Blogger. I was born here in Cebu and I live here in Cebu and I can call myself as a proud Bisdak Blogger.

A blogger friend of mine, Winston Almendras (who is also a Bisdak Blogger) of the famous. BatangYagitCom is having a contest among Cebu bloggers on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and I'm in it. It's a major trend on today's bloggers especially us Bisdak Bloggers in making our post land on the first page of Google's Search Engine Results Page (SERP) using the keyword "Bisdak Blogger".

Click here for more if you want to join this Bisdak Blogger SEO contest.

If you want to know more about SEO, visit SEO Tutorial.

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Senator Mar Roxas' "Murang Gamot" TV Ad

Senator Mar Roxas has released a new TV Ad about his authored Cheaper Medicines Law. He also urged the people to nag the government to have more Botika ng Bayan and implement the said law.

Below is the video of the TVC:



Wednesday, January 14, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 1 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas seeks full transparency in gov't foreign trips

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas has sought more transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for the foreign travels of government officials and employees, including those in the uniformed service.

The senator has filed Senate Bill No. 2982, or the proposed Government Employees Official Travel Accountability Act of 2009, to discourage a recurrence of the "Euro Generals Scandal", which he lamented brought international infamy to the country.
"Siguruhin nating hindi na mauulit ang kahiya-hiyang eskandalong nangyari sa Moscow. Nakita na ng buong mundo kung gaano ka-korap ang administrasyong ito kaya kailangang ayusin natin ang sistema ng paggastos ng pamahalaan, lalo na iyong ukol sa mga biyahe sa abroad ng mga opisyales at kawani ng gobyerno (Let us make sure the Moscow scandal does not happen again. The world had glimpsed how corrupt our government is. Let us correct how our leaders waste the people's money, especially for the foreign travels of officials and employees)," he said.
The Ilonggo senator was referring to the arrest of retired police comptroller Eliseo dela Paz and his wife in Russia in October last year for their non-disclosure of 105,000 Euros (P6.9 million) that they brought to Moscow when they attended an Interpol meeting.

Dela Paz, during the Senate hearings into the scandal, has claimed the money was drawn from the Philippine National Police's (PNP) confidential and intelligence funds, supposedly for the purchase of intelligence equipment.

The incident drew flak from senators, who condemned the PNP leadership's lenience in the release of its intelligence funds and raised questions on the procedure by which such funds are disbursed.
"Nakita natin sa eskandalong ito kung paanong winawaldas ng ating mga opisyales ang pera ng taumbayan. Nadiskubre natin kung paano nila ginamit ang opisyal na biyahe sa ibang bansa upang makapagnakaw sa kaban ng ating bayan (We have witnessed how government officials waste the people's money. We have discovered how they used official foreign travels as a scheme to steal from the government coffers)," the Ilonggo senator said.
In proposing SB 2982, Roxas seeks to lay down specific guidelines for the authorized foreign trips of all public officials, such as prohibiting government officials or employees from joining travels abroad one year before his/her retirement, and define the allowable travel expenses for such travels.

The bill likewise mandates the disclosure of the full amount of foreign currency brought into or out of the country in the course of the official trip.

It also calls for the submission of a completion report of the official business attended, as well as an accounting and liquidation of the funds used for the official journey.

Penalties are also proposed for the non-disclosure of the amount of foreign currency carried out and into the country and for non-compliance with the reportorial and accounting and liquidation requirements.
"Hindi pa naman huli para maayos natin ang lumalalang korapsyon sa ating gobyerno. Umpisahan natin sa pagpasa ng panukalang batas na ito. (It is not yet too late for us to address the worsening corruption in our government. Let us begin by passing this proposed bill) Public office is a public trust. Huwag sanang balewalain ng aking mga kasamang senador ang tiwalang ibinigay sa amin ng publiko (I hope my colleagues in the Senate do not disregard the trust the public has given us)," Roxas said.

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Senator Mar Roxas' statement on the death of Doña Mary Ejercito

"I offer my condolences to former President Joseph Estrada and his family on the death of his mother, Doña Mary Ejercito, this afternoon at the age of 103 at the San Juan Medical Center.

"Let us pray for the eternal repose of Doña Mary and hope for peace and strength of heart for her family as they grieve over the loss of their beloved matriarch."

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Your Idea

I'm counting on your ideas. I need your help to get involved in this campaign. Share your experiences and your ideas -- tell me what you'd like Mar Roxas to do and what are the pressing issues that he should address.

This is our moment. Help give Mar Roxas an idea on what should he do to make our country better off than the past 8 years under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. After all, this campaign is about YOU.

We all envision to bring back the old glory that our country was before by bring positive lasting change. In order to do that, I want to hear from you.

Share to us your idea and the issues that matter most to you and I'll present it to Mar Roxas so that he can be able to bring about policies you want to see carried out if ever he becomes President in 2010.
Oras na!

The victory that we seek is the victory of the Filipino people. Their fight is our fight. We believe that the people are the masters of government and not that the government is the master of the people.

It's time for change, a time for renewal.

MAR ROXAS
SHARE YOUR IDEA NOW

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | posted in , , | 3 comments [ More ]

An inspiring video on Senator Mar Roxas' (in)famous speech

While the buzz on Senator Mar Roxas' (in)famous speech during the anti-Charter Change rally has past, here's an inspiring video which I found in Youtube.

When you watch the video, you feel the pain that our country is undergoing under the failed policies and judgements of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Can we afford for more if ever she wants to perpetuate her term?


Sunday, January 11, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 2 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas breaks his silence in his vote on Enrile and CARP

Much has been said about Senator Mar Roxas' vote to oust then Senate President Manny Villar and replace him with Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Many people, including me, were disappointed with Senator Roxas' abstention to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension Bill (CARP) despite its swift passage in the Senate.

But now, Senator Roxas has broken his silence on the issue.

In his Facebook account, he shared his notes on why he voted to oust then Senate President Villar and abstained in the CARP Extension bill.

After reading it, I got his point on CARP. The extension was just a short-term solution. It was like extending a toothless law. He advocates for a real land reform.

Below is the transcript about his explanation on the two issues:
Hi all. I've been reading and replying to private messages during the Christmas break and I thought I'd share some of them with everyone.

Here's one regarding Senate President Enrile: Nagtatanong po kayo kung bakit ko binoto si Senator Enrile para maging SP (You were asking why I voted for Senator Enrile to be the Senate President). This isn't the most pressing issue now, but in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to tell you why I voted for him. Back then it had come down to a choice between the then-SP or anyone else. We could have let the days dragged on with a leader we couldn't trust anymore... but the Senate simply can't function in that manner. Sen. Enrile was the only one who we could agree on enough to muster the necessary votes to replace the then-SP.

---

Here's another one regarding my take on the CARP Extension: Lets be honest here: This so-called extension bill does not work. It does not extend the program. It merely extends funding for land acquired before the program expired. There will be no new acquisition and distribution of land with this bill. And even when land is distributed, our farmers still don't have adequate tools and know-how to make use of it. The land merely becomes idle or is sold back to the original landowner.

So, for me, voting yes to this bill would have meant betraying the very spirit of land reform. You may ask, then, why didn't I just say no in the first place?

Because a no symbolizes that I am against land reform per se. Or it might be interpreted as that by some sectors or entities. I didn't want that message to come across.

I do favor the implementation of CARP, but we don't need another version of an incomprehensive agrarian reform program. What we need are reforms that carry weight, not extensions of toothless laws. The CARP should be a genuine vehicle for social justice and economic development.

We still have time to craft a land reform law that could only be implemented by the next administration, which would be more dependable than this Arroyo regime. The new law must include services like low-interest and long-term credit facilities; seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation; and adequate drying and milling capabilities.

Neither a yes or a no would have worked in this particular case. I abstained because I stand for real land reform. And I'm hoping we could work together to achieve that. Thanks though for being genuinely interested in the plight of our farmers.

Friday, January 9, 2009 | posted in , , , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Mar Roxas will be in "News on Q"

This info is just in. Watch Senator Mar Roxas tonight at 9:30 PM (Philippine Standard Time) in QTV's "News On Q". On that taped interview, he was asked about the upcoming Presidential elections and his plans for 2010.

If you are abroad, please do check out the GMA Pinoy TV Program Guide to know what time will the interview be aired in your area.

Please do share with me your thoughts about the interview after it is aired.

Thanks!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 | posted in , , , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

Senator Roxas pushes for tax rebates for workers

With the outlook for the economic crisis remaining dim, Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today pushed for tax rebates as a stimulus package to help workers cope with the global financial meltdown's effect on the local economy.
"Masama po ang ekonomiya. Ang aking forecast, ngayon talaga mararamdaman yung epekto sa ibang bansa. Hindi natin made-deny na yung ekonomiya natin at maraming trabaho ay konektado sa pangyayari sa ibang bansa. At kung sadsad sila, aba'y apektado tayo. (The economy is in bad shape. My forecast is that other countries will continue to be affected by the global financial crisis this year. We cannot deny that the local economy and many of our job opportunities are linked to what's happening in the world. And if they are in a slump, then we would be, too)," he said.
Roxas, chairman of the Senate trade and commerce committee, said there were several ways the government can implement a rebate, such as reducing the value-added tax (VAT) from the present 12% to 10%, for the next two years. Another way, which Roxas has proposed in Senate Bill No. 2689, would provide a one-time P5,000 tax rebate for the country's 2 million fixed-income earners.
"Para sa akin, magandang stimulus package ay tax rebate. Ibig sabihin, ang buwis, ibabalik sa tao, at tayo na mismo ang gagastos ng ating pera. Imbes na gobyerno ang gagastos, na alam natin ay may napakaraming leakage. (For me, tax rebates is a good stimulus package. We will give back to the people what they paid to the government and they would decide how to spend their money. This, instead of letting the government spend the money, which we all know is prone to much leakage)," he also said.

"Mas mabuti na ibalik ang pera sa taumbayan (It's better to give back to the people their hard-earned money at this time of hardship)," he said.
He said savings from the VAT discount and the P5,000 refund would augment workers' incomes, which they themselves will use for their own priorities, such as paying tuition fees for their children, housing loan payments, medicines and other healthcare purchases, among others.
"Iikot ito sa ating ekonomiya kasi gagamitin ito sa pinaka-basic na bilihin. Hindi ito gagamitin sa iba pang mga bagay na hindi naman nila priority. (This will go back to the local economy because the money will be used for basic needs. It will not be used for non-essential things)," he added.
Roxas explained that the proposed tax rebates would have little impact on government's fiscal deficit. Furthermore, he said that the government has not seriously shown it is a worthy custodian of the people's money, having been involved in numerous cases of corruption and misuse of funds.
"Para sa akin, mas mabuti na imbes na mapupunta ito sa pangungurakot - nakita na natin sa pagbibiyahe ng mga heneral, sa pagbili nitong overpriced at maling fertilizer - mas mabuti na ang nagbabayad ng buwis ay mabigyan ng relief o tulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbalik ng kanilang buwis. (Instead of government spending the money for the foreign travel of generals or the acquisition of overpriced and low-quality fertilizers, the money will be better spent if it is given back to the people)," he stressed.
He urged the government anew to focus on addressing the financial tsunami that is threatening to hit the country.
"Kalimutan na muna itong mga Cha-Cha, kalimutan na muna itong mga pampulitika, pampahaba ng termino, dahilan sa, yung trabaho ay hindi makapag-antay. Nawawalan ng trabaho ang ating mga kababayan, at iyan ang dahilan kung bakit dapat mag-focus tayo sa ekonomiya at hindi sa pulitika. (Forget about Cha-Cha, forget about lifting term limits. People need jobs now. We need to focus on the economy, not politics)," he said.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

It was that year - The Mar Roxas for President in 2010 Blog Yearend Special

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Thursday, January 1, 2009 | posted in , , , | 0 comments [ More ]

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