Presidential hopefuls answer top questions on Isang Tanong

For a candidate to get a single vote for the highest office in the land in May 2010, he has to prove that he is ready and qualified for the job. This is what Isang Tanong, GMA News and Public Affairs’ historic presidential forum, attempted to find out during the first of a two-part series aired last November 22. All the perceived major contenders for next year’s presidential elections answered tough questions from GMA News Pillars, a panel of experts, and even the web-savvy crowd who sent videos of their questions. This is the first election forum in the Philippines that brought together nearly all presidential aspirants to answer the most pressing questions in the minds of Filipinos. Eight presidential aspirants attended the forum: Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar, former President Joseph Estrada, Olongapo City Councilor JC de los Reyes, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, former Defense Sec. Gilberto Teodoro, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, and Nicanor Perlas.

The forum started with each candidate answering one question each from GMA News Pillars Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Arnold “Igan" Clavio and Vicky Morales. In the second round, they replied to a question from a chosen correspondent of GMA’s election partners – a group that includes political experts, journalists, student leaders and NGO representatives. The third segment found the aspirants fielding questions from Netizens who submitted videos of themselves posting their questions to the candidates. Isang Tanong sourced questions from the Internet through www.gmanews.tv, the first time this has been done in the Philippines. Finally, the candidates gave their responses to one question from an individual whose identity was only disclosed at the end of the show. Executive agenda Sen. Noynoy Aquino, the standard bearer of the Liberal Party and currently the frontrunner in surveys, answered a question on his priority executive agenda from Malou Mangahas of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, one of GMA’s election partners. “Unang-una po naming inaasam-asam ay tinatawag na job generation… Pagkatapos po noon, ‘yung edukasyon din ‘yung gusto naming tukuyin nang husto. ‘Yan ang magiging susi sa pagsasaayos ng ating maraming problema sa kabuhayan, sa hustisya at sa iba. ‘Yung pangatlo po yung kalusugan dahil nakakagimbal ‘yung ibang statistika kung saan 62% ng lahat ng Pilipino ay hindi nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong makakita ng isang health professional," he said. “Alternative candidate" Nicky Perlas explained the difference between his environmental platform and that of Senator Loren Legarda, another environmental advocate and vice presidential aspirant. Perlas said the main difference lies in their approach -- his holistic platform covering not only the Philippines’ natural resources but also the economy, politics, culture and the entire society. Replying to a question about insurgencies, Lakas-KAMPI standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo" Teodoro identified its root cause as the failure of the government to ensure sustainable development in the affected areas. “Kulang ang investments natin sa ating mga kapulisan at ang ating mga sundalo. Sa dinami-dami ng misyon ng ating mga sundalo, hindi nila mabantayan sa isang mahabang panahon ang isang lugar para tuloy-tuloy ang development," he said. Religion and corruption Ang Kapatiran standard bearer JC de los Reyes was asked about his opposition to the controversial reproductive health bill. “Napatunayan na pong delikado ‘yan para sa ating mga kababaihan… Ang pinakamaganda po dyan, ‘wag na makialam ang gobyerno at hayaan na ang pamilya at mag-asawa," de los Reyes said, adding that the government should instead implement laws that protect women’s rights. Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas answered a question from Howie Severino, Editor-in-Chief of GMANews.TV, about religion and government policies. Villanueva said he is a pragmatist and he believes religion does not necessarily play a role in attaining a humane and just society. He also stressed that before he became an evangelical leader, he was a political economist and social activist who was jailed twice during the Marcos regime. One of the toughest questions came from GMA News and Public Affairs’ Winnie Monsod, who asked former Senate President Manny Villar why he continues to seek the presidency despite his involvement in the C-5 scandal. Critics have accused Villar of “using his office to enrich himself." A similar accusation was levied against former Pres. Estrada, whose impeachment trial was supported by Villar in 2000. A smug-looking Estrada was sitting behind Villar when the latter answered that the case was dismissed in the Senate, clearing him of the charges. “Lahat po ng kinita ko ngayon, ito po’y galing sa sipag at tiyaga, dugo’t pawis. Wala pong galing sa gobyerno," Villar said. A video question sent through GMANews.TV for Estrada asked about corruption and how he plans to abolish it. The former president, who was found guilty of plunder in 2007, replied: “Madali yan eh. Alam mo ‘yung pagsugpo sa korupsyon, kailangan lang mayroon kang political will," he said. The surprise last question came from “a simple Filipino," who turned out to be 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida. The alternative educator asked the presidential aspirants: “Para po sa inyo, paano po maging isang bayani?" (In your opinion, how does one become a hero?) The aspirants gave different answers but it was Fernando’s initial quip, “Pangalanan ka ng tatay mo," that elicited laughter from the audience. (His first name Bayani literally means “hero.") Turning serious, Fernando said heroism comes from doing one’s job and doing it well. In the second part of Isang Tanong, the presidential aspirants will answer questions posed by their fellow candidates. It will air on Sunday, November 29, after Show Me Da Manny on GMA-7. – Mavie Ungco & Candice Montenegro/YA, GMANews.TV Pictures are screen grabs from video of the event.