The Vote 2010: Know your presidential candidates

MANILA, Philippines - This is a summary of the exhaustive features on the presidential candidates that The STAR published during the campaign period. Please note that candidate no. 1 ACOSTA, Vetellano S. has been declared a nuisance candidate and disqualified by the Comelec. Their views on controversial issues are outlined here.

2. Aquino, Benigno Simeon III C.

Party: Liberal Party

Running Mate: Roxas, Manuel “Mar”

Charter Change: GMA has pushed the envelope as far as the Constitution is concerned. Within the first month, we convene a commission to study the need to change the Constitution. If there is public clamor for it, hopefully we will act on that recommendation in time for barangay elections.

Federalism: There has to be a middle ground. Empower the LGUs and have a report card of agreed upon parameters. You perform, you get more resources. You do not, you get sanctions.

Decentralization: Good idea.

VFA/US troops in Mindanao: So long as they are visiting.

Reproductive Health Bill: Responsible parenthood is my position.

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply:

I’m for it.

Divorce: I don’t want the Las Vegas model, but I realize there are couples who are beyond reconciliation. Legal separation with the ability to get married after they go through a very stringent attempt to reconcile keeping the family intact is one of my goals.

Marriage expiration: I don’t see who benefits from that.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Gays shouldn’t be discriminated against in terms of occupation and others. I’m not prepared to support it (gay marriage).

Death penalty: I used to say it is necessary for recidivists, but after reviewing the judicial system, there is a very big possibility somebody can get convicted because he wasn’t adequately represented.

3. De los Reyes, John Carlos G “JC”

Political Party: Ang Kapatiran Party

Running-mate: Chipeco, Jr., Dominador "Jun"

Charter Change: Not at the moment

Federalism/decentralization: No.

Visiting Forces Agreement: Favor renegotiation

Reproductive Health Bill: No to RH bill. In favor only of natural family planning.

Divorce/marriage expiration: No.

Gay rights/gay marriage: No to both.

Death penalty: No.

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply: Yes to first. No to second.

4. Estrada, Ejercito, Joseph M. “Erap”

Political Party: Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino

Running-mate: Binay, Jejomar

Charter Change: Yes, some economic provisions need to be changed.

(Federalism/decentralization) 

Visiting Forces Agreement: It was approved during my administration.

Reproductive Health Bill: In favor. It is very important to give women a choice of a family they can afford. I am 100 percent against abortion.

Divorce/marriage expiration: What divorce? What God has put together, let no man put asunder.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Yes to gay rights, no to gay marriage.

Death penalty: We have to bring back the death penalty.

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply: I’m all for that.

5. Gordon, Richard J. “Dick”

Party: Bagumbayan Party

Running Mate: Fernando, Bayani Jr. 

Charter Change: Yes. No to a parliamentary system.

Federalism/decentralization: Not now.

Visiting Forces Agreement: In favor.

(Reproductive Health Bill)

Divorce/marriage expiration: Limited divorce; don’t make it so easy.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Rights, yes; co-ownership. Marriage, no.

Death penalty: No.

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply: Yes to both.

6. Madrigal, Jamby A. “Jamby”

Sen. Madrigal declined to participate in The STAR’s series on presidential candidates.

7. Perlas, Jesus Nicanor P. “Nick”

Independent

Charter Change: Not in the first three years. We are not readay for parliamentary system.

(Federalism/decentralization)

Visiting Forces Agreement

Reproductive Health Bill: Natural family planning, but want to give people the option and freedom to choose. No to all forms of abortion.

Divorce/marriage expiration: Yes, although I believe in the sanctity of marriage.

Marriage Expiration: No.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Yes, on both. 

Death penalty: No.

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply: Full transparency, even without the law.

8. Teodoro, Gilberto

Party: Lakas-Kampi-CMD

Running Mate: Manzano, Eduardo “Edu” 

Charter Change: Yes, if its transparent.

VFA/US troops in Mindanao: We should continue it.

Reproductive Health Bill: Respect moral choice but government must help support that choice, even providing what is needed for that choice. Family planning preferences must be private.

Freedom of Information: Yes

Right of Reply Bill: There should be some sort of reply.

Divorce: That’s already allowed under Muslim laws.

Marriage expiration: That’s crazy.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Should be talked about objectively: Sign of maturity of the country

Death penalty: I’m not for death penalty.

9. Villanueva, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie”

Party: Bangon Pilipinas

Running Mate:  Yasay, Perfecto

Charter Change: Yes. Federal presidential system

VFA/US troops in Mindanao: Review VFA

Reproductive Health Bill: Review RH Bill

Freedom of Information/Right of Reply Bill: Will seek immediate passage of freedom of Information Act. Will not allow any form of suppression of press freedom

Divorce: Will follow Bible. There are exceptions, such as fidelity.

Gay rights/Gay marriage: Will follow constitutional provisions on civil and political rights. Will not suppress the rights of Congress and the people through a referendum to determine.

Death Penalty: Formerly against. Because of lack of proper presentation. But now, in favor of death penalty as a form of initial justice for moneyed people who are convicted of crimes like plunder, syndicated murder, syndicated kidnapping, drug trafficking.

10. Villar, Manuel “Manny”

Party: Nacionalista Party

Running Mate: Legarda, Loren

Charter Change: If you’re going to do it now, I’m against it. If you’re going to do it during the next term of the President, I have no problem with it.

Federalism/Decentralization: What is important is the leader, it’s not the system. To me, parliamentary system itself is not bad. Presidential system is not bad. What is important is what people want.

VFA/ US troops in Mindanao: Continuing review. No more Daniel Smith cases.

Reproductive Health Bill: Against it only because it should not be put into law. Bahala na ang tao kung ano gusto nila gawin. I always view population not as liability. To me if the country is managed well, in a competent manner, in fact a big population would be a way in which we could be a great nation.

Freedom of Information: For it.

Right of Reply: Against.

Divorce/Marriage expiration: Against.

Gay rights/gay marriage: Human rights are important but divisive matters are not a priority.

Death penalty: Against.