Full Transcript: Eddie Villanueva on 'Kandidato 2013'

After two attempts in the presidential race, Jesus is Lord Fellowship leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva is now one of the 33 candidates vying for a seat in the Senate.

The father of Bocaue Mayor Jonjon Villanueva and TESDA Director Joel Villanueva was recently interviewed by Arnold Clavio and GMA News Online Editor-in-Chief Howie Severino for the GMA News and Public Affairs’ special election series “Kandidato 2013.” In the said interview, Bro. Eddie shared talked about his campaign and why he decided to announce his candidacy later than most senatorial bets.

The religious leader also discussed his past as a student activist, his support team BESMO, and his thoughts regarding the separation of the church and the state.

Read the full transcript of his interview here:

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On what he learned from his failed presidential campaigns

ARNOLD CLAVIO (AC): Sinubukan n’yo pong tumakbo sa pagkapangulo, 2004 at 2010. Medyo hindi ho kayo pinalad, tapos ngayon, Senado naman po. Ano ‘yung mga natutunan n’yo sa mga nagdaang failure sa presidential bid n’yo na magagamit n’yo sa senatorial bid n’yo, Bro. Eddie?

EV: Unang-una, I was overwhelmed by the offer of the Task Force Pagbabago movement na maging presidential alternative during the 2004 and 2010 election. I was made to believe that the cry of the people for change is more than enough for me to win. Pero na-realize ko, I have to be realistic, at ‘pag kalaban mo ang Malacañang, be realistic. Dahil ‘yung COMELEC most likely, kalaban mo ano. That is a very founded analysis. Secondly, kailangan mo talaga ang nationwide machinery and organization. And of course, higit sa lahat, kailangan mo ng media exposure. Ano ang iyong plataporma? Bakit ka qualified sa hinihingi mong posisyon? So I have learned a few great lessons. Ito namang pagtakbo ko sa pagka-senador, hindi ko mapahindian itong challenge ng BESMO. Ang BESMO ay Brother Eddie for Senator Movement na pinangunahan nila former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno and former NEDA General Secretary Ciel Habito, at tsaka ibang Christian and business leaders and educators na ‘pag tinaggihan ko, na ‘yung aking advocacy since I was a student leader in UP College of Law, hanggang sa ako'y maging Evangelist na nakikipaglaban para sa Diyos at bayan, why do you have to abandon the fight we have started before? So in the final analysis, I decided to accept the challenge to run for the senate, understanding that the senate is also a very important institution in crafting the so called nation's destiny, especially in nation building.

On his candidacy for senator

HOWIE SEVERINO (HS): Pero last minute po ‘yung pagpasok n’yo sa senatorial contest. Ano ba ‘yung mga consideration na pumasok sa isip n’yo? Bakit kayo last minute na nag-file ng candidacy?

EV: At a glance, parang last minute ang perception pero actually, two years na itong BESMO. It is secretly, inihanda ng mga God-loving and nation-loving Filipinos as I've said, headed by Chief Justice Puno, sina Ciel Habito. ‘Yung mga educator sa Visayas, Mindanao, dito sa Luzon at Metro Manila. It just so happened na nagkasabay. Nung ako’y magdedesisyon na, si President PNoy, he endorsed publicly si Joel. Everybody knows that. So sabi ko sa mga proponents, I have first to clarify kay President PNoy. So nag-one-on-one kami ni Presidente. Inamin n'ya sa akin. Sabi ko, Mr. President, are you serious in including Joel sa slate ng administration? Serious daw s’ya at so hindi ko na sinabi sa kanya na may BESMO. I decided to respect his endorsement, that is the inside story. Pinakiusapan ko na muna sina Chief Justice Puno, sina Secretary Ciel Habito, lahat ng proponents and conveyors of BESMO and the leadership of Bangon Pilipinas Party. Anyway, ‘ka ko kung si Joel nasa Senado, parang ako rin ‘yun. ‘Yung gagawin nating landmark legislations na plano natin which are important ingredients in crafting the destiny of the nation accordingly, gagawin din ni Joel.

HS: Pero hindi nga s’ya natuloy.

EV: After two months, ako'y nag-mission sa ibang bansa. Pagdating ko, nasa Hong Kong pa ako, nabalitaan ko na iba na ang desisyon sa leadership ng administrasyon. So i immediately asked for an appointment with the president. The next day, the president told me they realized that Joel is so needed still in TESDA at sa kanyang cabinet. Anyway ho, bata pa naman si Joel kaya, well again, Joel is a good soldier.

AC: Pero si Joel ho ba ngayon, 100 percent susuportahan na kayo? Kasi nung 2010, ‘di ba nagkatampuhan pa kayo?

EV: Hindi naman kasi nung 2010, hindi nila alam, sabi nga ni Alan, kasama s’ya nangangampanya sa mga kaibigan ni Joel secretly without fanfare. Pero doon sa Luneta political rally, ‘yung May 6, 2004 at 2010, andoon si Joel. Ngayon ‘yung aking kick-off sa Malolos, for the first time, nagkaroon ng solidarity ang mga political leaders ng Bulacan. Putting aside their political affiliations mula sa governor, vice governor, provincial members at former governors, ‘andoon, ano. At ‘andoon ang mga congressman at mayors ng 34 towns at for the first time in history, nagkaroon ng solidarity for Brother Eddie dahil matagal na daw nabakante ‘yung upuan ni Ka Blas Ople sa Senado. ‘Andoon si Joel. Dumating si Joel n’on. And I believe, nagpasalamat nga ako kay president, for his kind understanding. And I was informed na s’ya mismo ang nagsabi kay Joel na, “No problem with me, you have to support your father.”

On the separation of the church and state

AC: Brother Eddie, kilala kayong leader ng Jesus is Lord Movement. Sa simbahang Katolika, talagang dini-discourage ho ‘yung mga pari na sumali sa eleksyon. Wala ho ba kayong nakikita about sa separation ng church and state, o ‘yung conflict of interest bilang servant of God and ngayon po, legislator ang gusto n’yo?

EV: Mabuti naitanong mo ‘yan. It's high time na ang sambayanang Pilipino, maintindihan ang tinatawag na mandate ng Diyos sa church. The church should be the soul and the light. God created every nation and every government therefore, godly people, ‘yung may takot sa Diyos, as long as they have competence, they should really not abandon God's mandate because God said, "Remove, alisin ang mga, remove the wicked from the government so that the government should be based on righteousness." Sabi ng Diyos ‘yan, Proverbs 25 or 6, ano. Why righteousness? Righteousness exalts a nation, ano. But sin is a reproach, a disgrace to the people. Sabi rin ‘yan sa good book, ano. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. When the wicked rule, the people will mourn. Basic foundation ‘yan ng good governance.

Tsaka ‘yung hindi pa naiintindihan ng iba, ‘yung separation ng church and state. Briefly, historically and constitutionally, the people should know this. Historically, nung itinatayo na, nilalagyan na ng separation of church and state ang American Constitution. Si Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of America, wrote a letter to the Baptist Congregations of America. Don't be afraid, don't worry. The state will never interfere with the ecclesiastical affairs and duties and functions of the church. Our religious freedom is absolutely protected. ‘Yun ang essence and context ng historical origin ng separation of church and state protection of the church from the possible abuse of the state, not vice versa. Kinopya ‘yan ng Philippine Constitution. 1935, 1973 Marcos Constitution, Cory Aquino's Administration's Constitution. ‘Yang separation of church and state na ‘yan, ‘pag in-analyze mo ‘yan, sinabi nga ni constitutionalist, the famous constitutionalist Joaquin Bernas, "No religious test is required in the exercise of political and civil rights." Very clear sa Bill of Rights.

Kaya tatlong bagay lang dapat maintindihan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Una, ang relihiyon ay hindi factor. Basta ang isang Pilipino ay may passion na makapaglingkod sa bayan through government post, through elective post, hindi factor ang religion. As a matter of fact, pinagbabawal ‘yan ng constitution. Ang dalawang kondisyon sa constitution, you must be a natural born citizen and you must know how to read and write. You can run for any public office.

Ngayon, another point. Nakita natin historically sa empirical evidence, Protestant president magaling. President Ramos, protestant ang relihiyon. Senator Juan Flavier, protestant. Magaling, ano. Santanina Rasul, Senator Santanina Rasul, Muslim. Dedicated Muslim, magaling. Si Senator Tamano. Common sense dictates, kung pinapayagan natin ang lahat ng klase ng tao, kung minsan gambling lord, hindi natin alam. Smuggling lord o drug lord o artista o ano na lang occupation. Why Bro. Eddie, hinihimok madalas ng ilan? Why Bro. Eddie, a political economist, a social activist who was imprisoned twice during Marcos time and an educator, the longest university regent in the biggest people's university, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, for more or less 10 years?   Never accepted, I never received a single centavo from my honorarium. It is officially recorded. I donated it all to the scholarship funds of the poor students. Why? Kasi naging biktima ako ng kahirapan.

Sa UP, nahinto ako sa UP, walang pamasahe. Nahinto ako sa UE, walang pamasahe. Sa Bulacan ako nanggagaling. Dahil ang mga magulang ko, biktima ng land grabbing syndicate na napakulong ko naman mga judge fiscal lawyers nung nasa UP College of Law na ako, ano. Pero ang punto dito, hindi dapat pigilin ang isang Pilipino na may passion na maglingkod sa bayan, magkaroon s’ya ng bahagi doon sa crafting the destiny of the nation. Religion is beside the point.

Last but not the least, if you study the separation of church and state provision in the constitution, makikita natin ang pangatlong binibigyan ng proteksyon doon. Pangalawa pala, no state religion must be established. Meaning to say, no government funds must be utilized in promoting one particular religion. All religions must be equal in the eyes of the law. Thirdly, religious freedom or freedom of worship is absolutely guaranteed or protected. Walang relihiyon ‘yun.

Ngayon, siguro, if I may say so, merong ilang mga politiko sa traditional politics na ‘pag mga godly people na ang papasok, kahit competent, equally competent, even more than competent, ini-invoke nila minsan, separation of church and state. They are taking advantage of the lack of knowledge of majority  of our people about the said constitutional provision. Bakit? Obviously because ayaw nila na makapasok ang mga may takot sa Diyos. Bakit? Mababawasan, kung ‘di man, mawala ‘yung corruption which is one of the root causes of shackling poverty and injustices in this country.  Kaya kung titingnan mo, kung gagamitin natin, common sense dictates na why prevent a person from running for office simply because his religion is different from the majority?

Katulad ko, bago ako naging Evangelist, naging political economist ako for so many years. Nagturo ako sa kolehiyo bago ako grumaduate pinagturo ako ni Dr. [unintelligible] dahil consistent academic scholar naman ako at isa ako sa apat sa history na pinagturo before graduation. Isa doon si Senator Blas Ople. Naging social activist ako. Laman ako ng lansangan, Plaza Miranda, Mendiola. Lahat, ano. Nakulong ako ng dalawang beses dahil pakialamero sa mga problema ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, mangingisda. ‘Yun ang naging buhay ko during my college days. Nawalan ako ng tiwala sa Diyos, akala ko walang Diyos, ‘Kala ko belief in God is just a product of the fertile imagination of the human mind due to the psychological dissatisfaction in the suffering of humanity during ancient times. Kaya ang aking solusyon, national democratic revolution where we can establish a just and humane society and I was sensibly wrong because there's God. And then I was arrested, I was born again and I became an evangelist to preach the truth, to preach righteousness and to teach people to love God and his fellowmen and his nation. So I can't see any wrong.

HS: Sinasabi ng iba na nagkarooon ng theological bullying from the pulpit ng mga pari. Do you think there was any crossing on the line between itong dapat nga may boundaries na separation ng church and state sa ating lipunan?

EV: With due respect to everyone, kapag may mga controversial issues, ang mga religious leaders can exercise their free will and their freedom to explain to their people why they are in favor or why they are against as long as there is free market of ideas. Pero ‘yung bullying, ibang usapan ‘yan, ano. Kaya nga katulad n’yan, ako kasi full-blooded democrat ako. I believe in voter’s world. I may disagree with you, I may disagree with what you are saying, but voter’s right, I am willing to defend to my death your right to say it. Ako, I believe that. I believe in freedom kaya ang sa akin, pabayaan natin. Lahat ng klase, Muslim group, Protestant, Catholic, Evangelic, Born Again, Hindus, Buddhists, et cetera. Magbigay sila ng pananaw nila and let the concerned authorities decide and eventually let the people decide.

HS: So do you think preachers like yourself or priests should use the pulpit or the church or houses of worship to endorse candidates or push particular policies?

EV: Well to me it is … nasa hairline difference ‘yan. Maaaring magkaroon ka ng violation of ethics d’yan, ano. Ang sa akin persuasion, never impose your will to your congregations. Ang importante, i-exercise nila ‘yung kanilang free will. Kasi ‘pag sinu-suppress mo na ‘yung free will ng tao, gusto mo nang maging robot ‘yung mga tao. Ang importante, you convince them na kung ito'y immoral, prove na ito'y immoral. Pakinggan n’yo naman ‘yung other side. Baka naman ‘yung immorality na ‘yun, perception mo lang. Katulad sa RH bill, ‘yung law, ‘yung body of Christ specific example. Divided ‘yan. Sa body of Christ, maging sa Christian Coalition, divided ‘yan. Merong pro, merong against. Ako, bilang founding chairman ng isang malaking congregation, tinatawag na Philippines for Jesus Movement, medyo nag-referee ako. ‘Wag kayo mag-initan. Kung minsan, nagkakadebate, ano. Let's discuss this objectively.

Tinanong ako, anong stand ko. Ang stand ko, simple, consistent. I am against all forms of abortion because abortion is murder per se. However, I am absolutely in favor of sound family planning and responsible parenthood program. Why? Because without planning, reckless production of babies could lead to generation, to the production of generation of, I would say, undesirable citizens. Mag-aanak ka ng mag-aanak na hindi mo kayang ibigay ‘yung tamang pagkain, ‘di mo kayang ibigay ‘yung tamang education. Pararamihin mo lang ang mga problema sa society. So ako, ‘yun ang aking balancing, ano. So let the people decide, let congress decide. Nag-decide ang congress, nag-decide ang executive department. Batas na ‘yan, bantayan natin. Kung sa implementation ng batas na ‘yan, meron silang violations na gagawin na may destroy ang morality ng society, ako hindi ko kayang pigilan kahit sino, kasi I fear no one except God does not sin.

On the Catholic vote and JIL

HS: So Bro. Eddie, kayo ay isang non-Catholic. Pinagmamalaki ng simbahang Katoliko na may malaking Catholic vote. Hindi ba kayo nangangamba na hindi kayo mahahalal dahil hindi kayo Katoliko at may gagawin ba kayo para mag-appeal sa Catholic voters?

EV: Number one, pinanganak akong Katoliko. Ang aking baptism, Catholic. Nag-aral ako sa madre, St. Mary's Academy Meycauayan. Ako'y kursiliyista. Naging atheist lang ako when I was exposed to social injustices during my college days and I was exposed to the teachings of Marxist, Leninism, and Mao Tse Tung. I was made to believe na belief in God is only the product of imagination of fertile minds. So for seven years, more or less, naging atheist ako. So naaresto ako as an evangelist and I was lead to found Jesus is Lord Fellowship, a non-sectarian movement na walang itinataas na relihiyon kundi si Jesus Christ who said that He is the only savior. He is the only way to heaven. No one except Him. So itong misyon ng JIL na umabot na sa lahat ng cities and provinces ng Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, 52 countries in the world including Russia, Moscow, Russia and India and lately, according to the report of our director in Asia, nakapasok na rin sa Pakistan, Afghanistan. Kasi ang misyon nito, hindi magtayo ng relihiyon. Ang ituturo lang nito ‘yung simple gospel of love and salvation of Jesus sa mga tao regardless of race, color and regardless of nationality and regardless of religious affiliation. So actually itong... we are just fulfilling the great commission. Ke ano pang relihiyon ng tao, ginagalang namin ‘yan kaya nga marami akong kaibigang religious leader. As a matter of fact, tanungin n’yo si ex-bishop Oscar Cruz, s’ya ang isa sa mga unang nagpatakbo sa akin bilang presidente sa Makati rally. Nung marinig n’ya ako, maawa ka sa bansa, Bro. Eddie at hindi namamatay noon si Corazon Aquino. Nung mamatay si President Corazon Aquino, s’yempre nagbago na ang… s’yempre ginalang ko naman sila, mga madre at mga pari.

HS: Do you think there is a Catholic vote?

EV: I believe majority of the Catholics are independent minded. This is my belief kasi Katoliko ako. Kursiliyista ako. I mingled with them for many years kaya naniniwala ako, the vast majority of Catholics in our country are progressive minded, are independent minded. Meron lang ilan na sinasabi nating mga kandado. Pero we cannot rein them. Part of the culture ‘yun. Ang sa akin naman, let's give a chance to the Filipino people to test their maturity in choosing leadership which is the key to the future of their children.

On his support group BESMO

AC: Bro. Eddie, ang nagsusulong sa iyo ay ‘yung BESMO, ano?

EV: Brother Eddie for Senator Movement. ‘Yan ay isang convening group.

AC: Pero ang tanong ko po sa BESMO, paano ito makikipag-compete sa UNA Coalition at Liberal Party in terms of funding, campaign po sa buong bansa? Kaya po ba ng BESMO ‘yun.

EV: Ang BESMO ay isa lang arm, para lang makumbinse si Brother Eddie. Ang Bangon Pilipinas Party which is in effect this coming election is the third force in effect, ano. Dahil ‘yung isa Liberal Coalition, ‘yung isa UNA Coalition at ang number one strength nito ay nationwide barangay network na matagal nang nandoon. Ito ay coalition ito ng different churches na karamihan ay God loving and nation loving. So ‘yan ngayon ang kumikilos. Ang tawag ko rito ay nationwide network of brave hearts. Brave hearts dahil mga volunteers ito. Tulad ‘yung takbo ko, tinanggap ko ‘yung ako may maging presidential alternative candidate, sa isang kundisyon, hindi ako mangungutang ng pera para gastusin. Ibibigay ko naman ang buhay ko, kung ma-assassinate ako, I will do what is right for the country. Pero hindi naman siguro fair na mangungutang ako, kakaladkarin ko ‘yung pamilya ko sa pangungutang. That is my principle from the very beginning, when I attempted to accept the challenge to be public official.

On his possible role in the Senate

AC: Bro. Eddie, ang tanong ko lang po kunwari palarin po kayo sa Senado, ano pong magiging role n’yo doon? ‘Yung anak n’yo ay nasa gobyerno. Hindi po ba kayo natatakot na ‘pag naging fiscalizer kayo ni Pangulong Noy, ma-compromise ‘yung posisyon ni Joel sa TESDA?

EV: Alam mo, kilala ko ang anak ko. Independent minded ang anak ko.

AC: Pero hindi ang pangulo.

EV: I'm still supporting the daang matuwid na pamahalaan ni Pangulong PNoy o daang matuwid na pamahalaan. ‘Yan ang huling sinabi ko sa kanya in the presence of Chief Justice Reynato Puno before I filed my candidacy. Natutuwa nga s’ya na I will bring my advocacy to the Senate. So walang conflict ‘yun kasi I can be an independent minded objective supporter and fiscalizer at the same time. Kasi ang principle ko, simple lang. ‘Pag tama ang polisiya, ang programa at proyekto ng executive branch, dapat suportahan ng legislative branch. Kung mali, ibang usapan ‘yun. Kaya I can be more effective kasi at the same time, in addition to some landmark legislations that I'm planning to sponsor in the Philippine Senate that can accelerate the economic development and growth of the nation, at the same time, I am more than qualified to be a peacemaker. ‘Yung peacemaker, kapag nag-aaway-away na ‘yung mga senador, kasi kung minsan merong sa prinsipyo nag-aaway-away,

AC: Ipe-pray over n’yo na lang?

EV: Hindi naman. Kung minsan, nag-aaway-away dahil sa prinsipyo o dahil sa personal intrigues o minsan, dahil sa misunderstanding. Dahil kaibigan ko naman yan, ‘yung mga present senators ngayon at tsaka ‘yung mga tumatakbo, halos lahat ‘yan, kaibigan ko kasi nga sabi nga ni Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Bro. Eddie is a brother of all and friend of all. So I can be more than qualified na maging peacemaker. O, isantabi na natin itong mga hindi n’yo pagkakaintindihan. I-prioritize natin ang passage ng important bills into laws na kailangang-kailangan to address the major economic political and social problems of the nation. Dahil kumbaga sa ano, masyado nang hinog. Modesty aside, masyado na akong hinog sa karanasan. Maging sa education pagdating sa major problems ng bansa. Tatlo lang naman yan, tatlong istruktura lang yan: economic, social and political systems. Ang sa akin lang, there can be reformation without resulting to violence. Ang kailangan lang magkaroon ng sensible landmark legislation needed in the so called reformation of economic, social and political system. ‘Yun lang naman ang maliit na pangarap ko na ‘yung economic growth, hindi exclusive lang sa few, kundi inclusive.

On religious organizations' endorsements of political candidates

AC: Bro. Eddie, gusto ko lang linawin na ‘yung role n’yo dati as king maker. Kasi ang mga religious leader, nilalapitan dati for endorsement. So halos lahat ng tumatakbo ngayon, lumapit na sa mga pagtitipon ng JIL to gather votes sa inyo. Wala ho bang kapalit ‘yun ‘pag pumupunta ‘yung mga kandidato sa inyo?

EV: Alam mo, magmula kay President Ramos, sina Imelda, sina Senator Enrile, lahat ‘yan, nagpunta sa aming mga voters convention, anniversaries. Ni isang turnilyo, walang hiningi sa kanila si Bro. Eddie. Kaya nga mataas ang regard nila sa akin. Even President Ramos even said, "You know Bro. Eddie, you could be the chief executive of the country, Bro. Eddie. You're the most qualified person as the chief conscience of the nation." He said that sa Grandstand ng Luneta, si President Ramos. So sa akin, gusto ko lang, malakas pa naman tayo. ‘Yun bang maipasok lang ‘yung ilang landmark legislations na makakatulong not only sa present and future generations at the same time, magkaroon ng moral leadership which I sincerely believe is the foundation of good governance and good governance is equal to good economics and good economics is key to the prosperity of our people. Ganon lang kasimple. ‘Yun ang ating political determination, political will na bago tayo mag-retire, o maglaro-laro na lang sa mga apo at wala nang gawin para sa ating bansa may contribution tayo kahit kaunti sa future generations.

On his "prediction" that President Ramos would be elected

HS: Bro. Eddie, nabanggit n’yo si dating Pangulong Ramos, ano. Ayon sa isang [soundbyte] na nabasa ko, nung 1992, may vision daw kayo na mananalo s’ya.

EV: Wala ‘yun. That is speculation. Marami kasing nag-imbento.

HS: Nagkaroon daw kayo ng vision?

EV: I never said that. Before the eyes of God and before the eyes of rational people. Marami hong ganyang tsismis, ano. Hindi ho ako extremist. Remember, galing ako sa radical movement. I used to hate religions, ano. Nung ako'y nasa height of my radicalism.

HS: So hindi kayo ‘yung type of religious leader who sees visions?

AC: Nakakausap si ganito…

EV: Hindi. ‘Yun ay mga manufactured black propaganda against me. Dahil hindi nila ako kakilala. In-interview ako ni Karen. Nagulat s’ya. Ikaw lang, so progressive minded na ganyan pala ang iyong mga ideas. Ganyan pala ang iyong philosophy. Hindi nga nila ako kilala. Akala nila katulad ako ng ibang religious leaders na one track mind. Full blooded democrat po tayo.

On his plans for Philippine public education

AC: Bro. Eddie, ‘yung pamilya n’yo rin ano, involved sa edukasyon. Meron po kayong ekswelahan, tama po ba?

EV: Meron. Nagtatag kami ng JIL Colleges Foundation. From Grade 1 to college. Non-sectarian, non-profit, non-stock.

AC: ‘Yun nga po, non-profit. Alam ko po ‘yun. So ‘pag kayo po ay naging senador, pwede bang isulong n’yo yun, ang edukasyon ay maging mas available na po lalo na sa mga matatalinong kabataan?

EV: ‘Yan nga ang pinaka-una kong project. Kaso produkto ako ng, naging struggling student ako. Produkto ako ng public school kaya nga nung ako ang university regent sa PUP, pinukpok ko ‘yung pangarap namin ... na ang PUP kumalat sa ibang probinsya. Kaya maraming PUP sa ibang probinsya, kulang pa lang hanggang ngayon. Ang number one na napapanahon sa education ngayon, hindi lang education na ang mga estudyante ‘pag graduate tamang kursong kinuha at merong preferred na employment. ‘Yun ang ginagawa sa mga progressive countries, ‘yung mga investors, businessmen, manufacturers, industrialists at educators sa mga public and private educational institutions nagkakaroon sila ng periodic conferences and consultations. Ano ang mga tamang kurso na kailangan pagkatapos para ‘pag graduate ng estudyante, may trabaho agad? ‘Yun, nawala sa atin ‘yun. Wala sa atin ‘yun kasi nagre-research ako for many years sa ibang progressive countries. Higit sa lahat, pupukpukin ko ang mga state colleges and universities na mag-expand kasi ang weakness ko, ‘yung makita ko ‘yung kabataan na gustong mag-aral, ‘di makapag-aral. Naranasan ko ‘yun. Family driver ako, walang nakakaalam. Pumasok ako sa bookstore, ‘di makabili ng textbooks, dun ako nagbabasa ‘pag walang customers. So ‘yung state colleges and universitie,s kailangan mag-expand ‘yan, todo-todo. Talagang layunin ko, itataya ko lahat para ang education system natin available to all lalo na ‘yung mga pamilyang biktima ng kahirapan and injustices. Below poverty line, dapat libre ang education ng mga anak n’yan, tungkulin ng gobyerno ‘yan. ‘Yang mga private educational institutions, hindi naman sila dapat ma-insecure dahil sa palagay ko dapat may significant partnership ang public educational institutions at private educational institutions. Meron silang partnerships. Bigyan mo ng todo-todong incentives at subsidies ang private educational institutions, makukuha mo, maka-craft mo naman ‘yan ‘pag ‘yung task force mo magagaling talaga sa ganyang vision. Kaya ang sa akin, ‘yung ekonomiya ‘yung enterpreneur na nangunguna, masa, at ‘yung beneficiary, masa. Ang model ko dito, mga Southeast Asian countries, lalo na ang Thailand. Ang Thailand, napalaya ni former Prime Minister Thaksin ang mga nakagapos sa 5-6 loan sharks, magsasaka, mangingisda, manggagawa, tsuper, teacher, lahat ng mga ordinary people, maliliit na mangangalakal, napalaya. Paanong ginawa n’ya? Nagtayo s’ya ng National People's Bank at ‘yan ang nag-absorb ng lahat ng loans ng lahat ng maliliit na modern sagigilid sa Thailand at nabigyan sila ng equal opportunities sa business endeavors nila kasi ang interes, biruin mo ‘yung 5-6, ‘pag kinompute mo ‘yun, meron mga hanggang 60%, 80% samantalang ‘yung 5% kay Thaksin, 5% ‘yung ginawa n’ya. Talagang tinulungan ‘yung mga maliliit. Ako, matagal ko nang programa ‘yan. 2004 pa lang, programa na ng Bangon Pilipinas ‘yan. Alam naman natin ang DBP, ang Land Bank of the Philippines, ang original plan n’yan was to help  the masses pero alam natin na-transform yan to corporate giants. I blame no one, that's part of history. Ang sa akin lang, gusto ko mag-introduce ng landmark legislations na na-o-overlook kung minsan ng ating mga kasama at kaibigan.

On why he should be elected

AC: Bro. Eddie, last point na lang. Bakit sa tingin n’yo kayo ang dapat na kandidatong dapat iboto ng ating mamamayan?

EV:  Well, in fairness naman ng mga kumakandidato, may qualifications sila. I respect that. Ang sa akin lang, I know where I'm going dahil ako ay hinog na hinog naman na ako sa karanasan pagdating sa political economics, pagdating sa social activism, pagdating sa education ‘pagkat ako'y university regent ng the biggest people's university in the Philippines, nagtayo ng sariling eskwelahan, non-profit para ‘yung mga mahihirap, maabot ng mahihirap. Nahinog rin ako sa pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa bayan kaya ako’y nakulong ng dalawang beses during my activist days. Kaya I believe na ‘yung aking pagkahinog sa karanasan, sa pinag-aralan, sa pagkahinog ko sa pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa bayan, siguro naman more than qualified ako doon sa constitutional requirement na hinihingi ng constitution na hinihingi sa isang Pilipino na gustong tumakbo sa political office, lalo na kung ang passion ng isang tulad ko. Marami namang ganyan. ‘Yung ang economic growth natin, maging inklusibo walang iwanan sa umaangat at umuunlad na bayan. ‘Yun ang gusto kong bigyang diin.

On his weaknesses

HS: Ano naman ang sa palagay n’yong inyong kahinaan bilang isang kandidato?

EV: Siguro ang kahinaan ko, mahirap akong mag-compromise kapag nakataya na ang principles ko. May mga ilang offer sa akin ‘yung iba pero ‘pag sa tingin ko mawawala naman ‘yung aking pinaglalabang maliit na pinahiram ng Diyos na integrity at prinsipyo. Kaya nga sabi ko nung 2010 at 2004, "What's your difference, Bro. Eddie, from other candidates na nangangako ng maganda ‘pag nahalal na nagiging corrupt na?" You can research my record, I was the chairman of the Bulacan Republic Movement before. I was chairman of Katipunan Makabayan in Bulacan before. I was the chairman of the Coalition on People's Foundation for Righteousness. Mga madre, pari, mga Muslim, Protestant, ang founding chairman sa CBCP. Kung may isang taong nabubuhay sa Pilipinas na nag-succeed, ganon ang aking principle kaya nga admittedly, this world is still poor. Modesty aside, subalit conviction of principle.

AC: Maraming salamat po. Si Bro. Eddie Villanueva ang nakasama po nating Kandidato.

-ME/PF, GMA News