So you want to be president?
A close look at those who want to lead
To help voters make an informed choice in May, The Philippine STAR is conducting interviews with the presidential aspirants, in no particular order, depending on their availability in the heat of the campaign.
Meetings are hosted by The STAR in the newspaper’s office, with the editorial staff asking the candidates questions on a wide range of issues.
The recorded answers, portions of which can be viewed online, can be used as reference for campaign promises met or unfulfilled, goals achieved or changed.
To cover as many topics as possible, the candidates are requested to keep their answers brief, but three hours is still not enough to cover a presidential aspirant’s program of government. Space limitations also compel The STAR to condense the answers for publication. Still, even the brief answers provide useful glimpses into the platforms and plans of each candidate in case of victory.
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Elementary: Philippine Normal College Training Department
Secondary: University of the Philippines Preparatory High School
Collegiate Course: UP, Bachelor of
Arts, Political Science
GRADUATE COURSES
UP, Bachelor of Laws UP, Masters in Public Administration, Major in Local Government Management (academically completed)
University of Santo Tomas, Master of Laws (academically completed)
National Defense College of the Philippines, Master in National Security Administration (graduated with honors)
Philippine Christian University, Masters in Management
UP-Open University, diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management
The Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania, Housing Finance in a Changing Global Environment
Harvard Kennedy School – Executive Education, Senior Executives in National and International Security
JOBS/POSITIONS HELD
• Claims examiner (Insular Life Insurance Co.); lawyer (Binay, Cueva and Associates); law lecturer / professor (St. Catherine’s School of Nursing, Philippine College of Commerce, Philippine Women’s University, St. Scholastica’s College, National Defense College of the Philippines)
• Mayor (Makati); director, MWSS; board member, LRTA; chairman, Metro Manila Peace and Order Council; commanding officer (202nd Philippine Marine Reserve Battalion; chairman MMDA; chairman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; presidential adviser on OFW concerns; chairman emeritus (IACAT), vice president
ACADEMIC/CIVIC/OTHER HONORS
• Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor in 2014 for outstanding service as human rights lawyer/advocate during martial law and for defending democracy during coup attempts against Corazon Aquino
• Recipient of numerous awards for academic excellence and as outstanding alumnus from UP and other institutions, for leadership and distinguished service as a local government executive, from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Knights of Rizal
Short-term priorities
I will immediately initiate dialogues with all sectors, especially Congress and the judiciary. I will start the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao, which in turn will improve the economy and address the issue of poverty (in the south). My first executive order will institutionalize freedom of information in the executive branch.
Long-term priorities
Infrastructure, particularly airports, seaports, roads and bridges. Spending on infrastructure will help employment. After the completion of the projects, they can help our country, especially in tourism. We will also address the problem of unemployment and underemployment by improving the agriculture, manufacturing, export, trade, BPO and tourism sectors.