I personally know Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. In politics, that could be a
double-edge sword. Either one knows him in a negative sense or knows him with
all the attributes of a good human being in general, and of a public servant in
particular.
I never experienced anything really negative. What I perceived are
mostly positive traits that prompted my unconditional endorsement of his
Senatorial candidacy.
4 H Club
In the 2010 Presidential elections I endorsed Noynoy Aquino based on
what I called 4 Hs – HONESTY, HUMILITY, HONOR, and HOPE.
PNoy’s “Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” and “Daang Matuwid” platform or
programs reflected his “HONESTY is the best policy” anti-corruption
campaign. The drive against the “Wang Wang” mentality reflected his HUMILITY
and anti-impunity and arrogance in public service.
In less than 3 years in office, PNoy brought HONOR to the Philippines
beyond expectation. Most recently, Time Magazine chose him as one of the 23
Most Influential World Leaders. The list included, among others, Pope Francis,
U.S. President Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Korea’s President
Park Geun-hye, Somalia President Hassan Sheik Mohamud, Malawi President Joyce
Banda, U.S. Vice President Biden, and North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.
Earlier, he was chosen as one of the only eight members of the steering
committee of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) co-chaired by President
Obama and Brazil President Dilma Rousseff.
For the first time in Philippine history the country is given an Investment Grade Rating Upgrade. Fitch Ratings provided it. The unassailable major factor noted is Good Governance and Transparency Practices that are strongly espoused under the Aquino government. HOPE is quite high for more investments, greater job opportunities, and a better tomorrow for the Philippines.
H.E.R.O.
Ramon
Magsaysay, Jr. is the embodiment of PNoy’s “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path)
policy of good governance and transparency. Anywhere he serves his public
responsibility, he does it with genuine public service always coupled with
Honesty, Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Openness in Governance (H.E.R.O).
This is the platform that guides him in public life.
If elected,
he would set the standard for HONESTY, HUMILITY, HONOR, and HOPE in the
Legislature as PNoy is doing in the Executive branch. He has been in the Senate
before. In fact, when he ran for the Senate in 1995, he garnered the 3rd
highest number of votes. He had a very distinguished career in the Senate for
12 years wherein he earned the “Most Outstanding Senator” award from Graphic
Magazine.
He rested for
a few years because of term limits but reinforced his technical skills as a
Mechanical Engineer and business acumen having taken post-graduate studies in
business administration at Harvard Business School and at New York University.
As a
result, he earned the title “Father of Cable Television in the Philippines”
having pioneered it and spread the opportunities nationwide. I had the
privilege of working with him in introducing the latest technologies on cable
TV programming at a critical period of the industry.
At the turn of
the century, he again earned another title that should endear him to the
Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants in this generation – “First Internet
Man of the Year” from Web Magazine. If you are reading this column or blog
from the digital edition of Asian Journal USA, the Google BlogSpot, or Facebook
you should appreciate, advocate, and promote his candidacy for the Senate for
he is the best candidate, bar none, who could ably represent the interest of
users of social media, convergent communications, and/or multi-media. His
proposal to install Internet broadband in every barangay and his authorship of
the E-Commerce Law when he was a Senator should give you a clear indication of
his progressive agenda for the country.
CAN
In this
year’s election, former Senate President Frank Drilon and PNoy offered Jun
Magsaysay a spot on Team PNoy. The latter accepted because, as he said, “Duty
calls” and he wants to be part of PNoy’s good governance and transparency
policies and undertaking.
Jun Magsaysay
was given the opportunity to become a Senator again because, at this point in
our history, he CAN – meaning, he has the Character, Achievements,
and Name.
His
Character shows a nice, decent, honest, and unpretentious genuine guy. His
Achievements in the private sector and most especially as a legislator reflect
his advocacies and priorities. For the soldiers who risk their lives in defense
of freedom and our way of life, he initiated an Off-base Housing Program; and
authored the New AFP Base Pay Law (RA9166) and the New AFP Table of
Organization Law (RA 9188) and initiated reforms in the AFP as well. For
farmers and fishermen, he advocated the Young Farmers Program, and authored the
Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (RA 8435), and, to protect their
interests, he successfully investigated the Fertilizer Fund Scam. For the poor
he provided scholarships, livelihood opportunities, and health assistance.
For the elderly and retirees, he strengthened the Social Security System
(RA 8282). To attract investments, he authored the New Foreign
Investments Act (RA 8179) and Amendments to the Omnibus Investments Code (RA
8756). More importantly, he authored the Magna Carta for Small and Medium
Enterprises (RA 8289) and the Anti-Money Laundering Law (RA 1980).
Like
Father, Like Son
The late
President Ramon Magsaysay, Sr. was going after bandits and crooks in
government, election cheaters, terrorists, and warlords. He identified with the
“Common Tao” advocating that “those who have less in life must
have more in law.” He espoused the Christian doctrine equivalent of “Preferential
Option for the Poor.”
Unfortunately,
the late President died prematurely in a plane crash ending what would have
been a Straight Path or “Daang Matuwid” in his generation.
Filipinos
should despair no more! In our midst is the only son committed to protect his
name and legacy. His advocacies are the same as his father’s but adjusted to
the needs of our time. He bears the same name with pride and honor. He wears it
with no higher ambitions except genuine and better public service.
Ramon
Magsaysay, Jr. is my guy! I just told you why. If you were my friend, “AYE”
would be a good reply. Crooks must say goodbye; in hell they fry, the moment
they die.
Filipinos roar
as they check No. 24. Hopes would soar with Magsaysay on the Senate floor!
MABUHAY si MAGSAYSAY!
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