With the Presidential candidates cast more or less complete, the time has come for the questions we should ask each of them that will guide us in determining who is in the position to lead the country over the next six years. It shouldn’t be about Aquino versus Marcos again or looming authoritarianism against freedom and democracy. It should be what affects the average Pinoy and what they intend to do about it.
The following are some of the more important issues under each subject:
Agriculture – food security, agricultural products imports, increasing production to meet demand, reforms in rice production particularly the power of traders to control market prices, the development of an agricultural products export manufacturing industry similar to Thailand and Vietnam.
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Information Technology – what is the status of the national broadband network? Digitization of the bureaucracy, particularly the development of a blockchain backend system to automate transactions and minimize corruption, the development of a robust startup ecosystem encouraging local government units (LGUs) to implement a smart cities strategy, the continuing improvement of connectivity and internet speed.
Foreign Policy – independent, non-aligned or aligned with a major power or grouping? Regional foreign policy; the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Quad. The US versus China rivalry. AUKUS (the UK, US and Australia alliance) which might lead to increased tensions due to the eventual deployment of nuclear-capable submarines by Australia.
Energy Security – the final decision on the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), nuclear versus renewables versus geothermal. The reform of Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to remove cartel-like behavior among producers and distributors. The policy on the Recto Bank service contract and joint-exploration in the South China Sea.
Public Health – implementation of Universal Healthcare. Pandemic response moving forward under the assumption Covid is endemic. The implementation of test, treat and trace. Improvement of frontline health services at the barangay level while the hospital capacity is being built-up. Working conditions and compensation of healthcare workers.
The Economy – economic recovery program. Will the new administration continue with the policies of the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)? If not what will change? How to bring back revenue collection to pre-pandemic levels? Debt policy? Borrowing mix? Is 5% of GDP commitment for infrastructure projects still policy? How to transition from consumption-driven to export-driven economy?
Socio-political reform – What about federalism? Charter change (“cha-cha”) to reform the bureaucracy once and for all and minimize losses due to corruption. Switch from bicameral to unicameral parliamentary system. National security – end the insurgency once and for all. Renewed threat of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalists due to the Taliban control of Afghanistan and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Western Mindanao.
Education – the adoption of Education 4.0 for private and public educational institutions. How to help private educational institutions from the pandemic-induced drop in enrolment? Address the corruption in the Department of Education (DepEd) and the fraud in faculty credentials resulting in unqualified promotion to next higher rank.
These are the pertinent issues voters should be concerned about as we are in a crucial crossroad in the country’s history due to the pandemic. Don’t fall for the democracy versus dictatorship narrative of Yellowidiots turned pinkos and the Reds who are pursuing a self-serving agenda while corrupting the country’s youth by encouraging misguided activism. There are huge stakes in the future of the Philippines moving forward in the next six years.
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Hey, Ortoll, notice how no one has commented just yet?
There are two or three (maybe more) usual detractors here who resort to ad hominem attacks on Benigno, Ilda and yourself each time an article critical of the Yellow idiots is put out.
But because this particular article brought up the real issues, issues that have long been left in the garbage bin in favor of less important ones, the trolls have so far been speechless.
Why? Because they know nothing about these issues. They haven’t the slightest clue what to offer. Nor do their candidates. Nothing to say when nothing comes to mind.
Keep writing this type of material and stay away from fucking narcissists.
Especially the millennial ones.
Of course, issues of agri, info tech, foreign policy, etc., as mentioned are programs and policy oriented issues that awaits the new administration for solution. For sure it will be the main features during the debate process of the campaign but they are not the center of the campaign nor glue that binds, separate or differentiate the candidates and parties vying for the top position.
My two cents on the subject is, as long as there is a Marcos running for public office the pro and anti-Marcos issue will always be there. And even if there is no Marcos on the ticket, a candidate identified with the Marcos camp will be open season for the opposition as if Ferdinand is still attempting to make a comeback. The same thing goes with the anti-Aquino group, Cory’s mirage will always appear to frighten antis during election time. Let me elaborate.
Supposed to be, there is no more pro or anti-Aquino because all of them are dead (Ninoy, Cory and Noynoy). Also, there is no Aquino in the ticket, as far I as know, that is worth the time of the pro-Marcos groups to even take a second look. However, it’s very obvious we can still hear and read the ferocity of the anti-Aquino groups as if Cory or Noynoy is still running in the 2022 election. Why is that? Because the Yellow crowd, like what the Marcos fanatics were doing, is resorting to recycle persona to maintain political control through party affiliation. Kampi-kampi depende sa kulay. Leni Robredo wants to be the modern day Cory Aquino against Bongbong’s resurrection of his father. Pula against Dilaw. Demokrasya versus diktaturya.
We are still singing the same boring song since 1986. And nobody seems to not get tired of it. : 0
The review of the EPIRA Law has long been overdue… The Country has the most expensive electricity in the region that was a vain in both household and industry. The Industrial sector can never be developed into an export industry if the cost of operation is too high , and maybe the cause why some foreign companies have relocated to other Asian Countries.
Politicians should address these issues ASAP and stop dividing the nation to serve their self-interests. Just like we do in the Excel file, in May 2022, we have all the chance to filter these politicians and let the good ones stay while permanently deleting from the list the bad ones.