How do you select the most deserving persona to be elected as the 16th President of the Philippines? Do you know who you’re voting for?

In less than two months, the entire nation will be voting for the next honourable ruler of the country — the leader who continues in making good policy decisions for our country’s future for the next six years after the elections.

You are now probably contemplating to know more about the most interesting bits on these ‘presidentiables’, and there is still much to know about their platforms. Since we don't know them on a personal level, as Filipinos, we must do our stint by knowing their past and present notion on issues that affects us as a nation.

Comelec declared a 90-day campaign period and the countdown has just started for the 2016 Philippine elections slated for May 9. Whether you already have a Presidential candidate in mind or not, it’s very important to research about them.

In this article, I give you a ‘precis’ at the profiles of the two women contenders for the presidential race in the Philippines this year namely Senator Grace Poe- Llamanzares as an independent candidate and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People’s Reform Party.

This article is compiled not only to give incentive for the ‘presidentibles’ to be further known, but it would also educate and encourage voters to use a new norm in voting based on morals and principles of the candidate. We need someone who can identify ideas and who can really put those ideas into action.

We can prepare; we can think and we can focus; and make sure that your vote is a precise vote.

​Please choose wisely and vote responsibly.

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Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares
Age: 47
Education:
1991- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Boston College USA
1986-1988 – Bachelor of Science in Development Studies University of the Philippines

Campaign Slogan: “Lahat Aangat, Walang Maiiwan”“Gobyernong May Puso” 

“Walang Maiiwan” focuses on poverty alleviation and wealth creation through inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth, and rule of law. The objective is for all Filipinos to have access to opportunities to participate in the growth process while making sure that benefits are shared. Under this pillar are socio-economic programs on poverty alleviation enterprise-building, and agricultural, manufacturing and tourism programs; aims to attain a globally competitive Philippines, driven by a culture of excellence. 

“Gobyernong May Puso” is a statement for open, accountable, and competent governance for efficient and reliable social services, human development and protection of human rights.  It includes Education and Health, social protection programs and direct assistance to the poor. The aim is to create the right conditions for a life of dignity for all Filipinos.

Political Platform: 
The program is guided by the following values and principles: integrity, transparency, people-centeredness, human rights, equality and inclusivity, empowerment, peace, sustainability, resilience, and collaborative governance. These pillars are inter-related strategies which will guide national, regional and local development priorities, as well as public investment program.

• The passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI), the Customs and Tariff Modernization Act, the PPP Act, the First 1000 Days Bill, the “Sustansya Para sa Batang Pilipino”, amendments to the Anti-Red Tape Act, and amendments to the law on Right of Way
• Treat the illegal drug trade as a national security threat and push for its inclusion in the National Security Strategy, with emphasis on rights-based approaches and through the full force of the law. In line with these initiatives, the campaign against dangerous drugs will also include the expansion of PhilHealth to include rehabilitation, and comprehensive and targeted drug education.
• The traffic situation, particularly in Metro Manila, has resulted in productivity losses amounting to PHP 2.4 billion a day, according to studies conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Forming a task force to address traffic and flood management, composed of relevant national government agencies, the MMDA, LGUs, commuter groups, and the mass transport sector.

INTEGRITY: 
Poe's name has so far not been dragged into any corruption controversy. For her, a good government is one that is transparent, accountable, and listens to the needs of its constituents. A government that make decisions on the basis of the common good instead of vested interest, with special attention to the poor and marginalized towards ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to improve their lives. 

“Ang pamamahala ay ‘di lamang nakasalalay sa gobyerno. Iintindihin natin ang mga hinaing ninyo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa inyong direktang makausap ang mga pinuno at makilahok sa pagbabago.”


“We want a Philippines where citizens play an active role in charting our country’s future. We will put in place an effective government because reliable and long-term public services will afford people a life of dignity. Towards this end, we want to empower Filipinos to contribute to society, and restore their power to lead and hold government accountable. By doing so, we can bequeath to our children a Philippines of equal opportunity, where the welfare of the people is paramount, and where no one is left behind. This will be our most important legacy.” Poe said.

Taking her stand about issue on political dynasty, Poe is in favor of opening the electoral and political space to broader participation. She pushes for a more meaningful political participation by making elections more inclusive. In particular, proposing the following measures like regulation through succession (prohibition of a family member from running for public office to succeed a close relative), and regulation through simultaneous holding of elective positions (prohibition of family members from simultaneously occupying public office within an election cycle).

As for the role of her family in the government if ever she will be elected, her husband will keep a low profile, except for performing the ceremonial role of a presidential spouse. “He has always been a hands-on father, and I expect he will continue to play an active role in rearing our children. Our eldest child Brian of the other hand is already an adult and I encourage him to make his own decisions about his life. He is a journalist but he had to take a leave of absence because of my candidacy.  I really appreciate his sacrifice.  He is very confident and driven to help others. As for our two daughters who are still minors, their studies will still be their primary responsibility.” Poe pointed out.

COMPETENCE:
Grace studied in the Philippines and the United States of America. She was a pre-school teacher of Montessori School Cedar Lane and later a product manager for CSC Scientific Inc. after graduating Boston College with a degree in political science. In 2004 she came back to the Philippines, which she did to campaign for free and fair elections after her father died later that year.

Poe develops eight foundations to anchor economic policy on inclusive growth, on the idea that all Filipinos are entitled to live a full, productive, and dignified life in liveable communities.

1. Enterprise Development: Create an enabling environment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through technical, financial and market assistance so that they can move up the production ladder.
2. Focused Support for Agriculture/Agribusiness, Manufacturing, and Tourism: Make growth inclusive by supporting sectors through infrastructure development, increased government assistance and market support.
3. Human Development: Invest adequately and substantially in decent shelter, quality health care, and education for all.
4. Levelling the Playing Field: Fully implement the Philippine Competition Act to avoid overconcentration of economic power in a few dominant entities for a more competitive and open economy.
5. Political Empowerment and Participatory Development: Open up avenues for direct, online, and representative participation of all Filipinos, especially the poor and marginalized sectors, in decision-making at all levels of governance by passing the Freedom of Information Bill and other institutional reforms.
6. Social Security: Establish a harmonized and comprehensive social security net which provides all Filipinos, especially the poor and the marginalized, with sufficient protection from life cycle, economic, environmental, and governance risks.
7. Direct Assistance to the Poor: Expand the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program to include near-poor families. As an added value, we will couple this with social security, training, and livelihood programs to sustainably enable beneficiaries to escape the poverty trap.
8. Tax Reform: Push for reforms in our income tax system to increase take home pay, reduce income inequality and ease the tax burden of lower income classes. At the same time, reduce our corporate tax rates to put as at par with our neighbors in the ASEAN.

The senator is also concerned about the continued deployment of Filipino workers overseas. Filipinos are forced to seek employment overseas due to low wages and the lack of secure job opportunities in the Philippines. Poe aims for a time when working abroad is a matter of choice, not necessity.

“When Filipinos do choose to work overseas, our government will ensure that their rights and welfare are protected, starting from pre-departure, to their stay abroad, to their reintegration when they come back to the Philippines. The agencies in charge of helping OFWs must be strengthened and made more effective so that they are more responsive to the myriad concerns that OFWs encounter. We will expand the Commission on Filipinos Overseas’ “One-stop Online Portal for Diaspora Engagement” program to offer more investment options, provide better legal access and protection, and adapt an inclusive approach where no Filipinos, even the irregular migrants, get left behind.”

Since 2010, the Philippines has moved up 38 places in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Index Rankings, from 85th to 47th among 140 countries for 2015-2016. However, the pace of the country’s growth still pales in comparison with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. In line with objective “Walang Maiiwan”, Poe also made thorough strategies on moving our country ahead for global competitiveness these are Conducive Investment Climate, Development of Critical Infrastructure,Eliminating Corruption and World-class workforce

ENERGY & ABILITY TO EMPOWER:
When Poe announced her intention to seek the presidency, she said that "No one person or group has a monopoly on a straight path advocacy".  According to her, she will choose her members in the cabinet based on competence, integrity and genuine concern for the public interest. “At my first full Cabinet meeting, I will impress on them the importance of strong teamwork, and coordination across the various government departments and entities.”  Poe will be specific on time-bound deliverables that each agency must meet and will hold her Cabinet members accountable for these deliverables and ensure that she is updated on their progress regularly.

In addition, her first year will focus on three areas, namely: Kabuhayan, Karunungan, Kaligtasan.
For Kabuhayan, she shall issue an Executive Order creating a Tax Reform Commission to remedy the archaic and socially unjust taxation system aiming to empower consumers by increasing their disposable income through lowering of income tax. 

There are about 12 to 15 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) deployed worldwide. Rationalizing services for all citizens based abroad, and extend technology- and online-based public services to OFWs for access and ease of transaction, integrating it with the central system and the Contact Center ng Bayan. 

For Karunungan, making education accessible to everyone, up to the tertiary level by strict implementation of the Unifast Law, which provides scholarship programs at the tertiary level.

For Kaligtasan, ordering the Department of Health to modernize regional and provincial hospitals, including rural health units, giving priority to the identified 30 poorest provinces.  In the face of frequent disasters, readiness is key to saving lives and property. The NDRRMC only convenes in times of imminent disaster and focuses on relief and immediate response, which hinders a unified and more efficient government approach to disaster preparedness, mitigation, and resiliency. Poe is establishing a dedicated emergency management agency to oversee, execute, and monitor all disaster-related programs, policies, and projects at all levels; to clear protocols and functions to effectively carry out their first response duties and ensure the welfare of its constituents.

“I believe I can offer our countrymen effective leadership, and practical and effective solutions to their everyday problems. I know I can offer new perspectives to problems that have been besieging our country for decades, solutions that seem to elude old-brand names that have been part of the system for so long. In my humble opinion it is time to bring in fresh energy and new perspectives to solve decades-old problems like poverty, poor social services, corruption, skewed economic policies, the daily traffic gridlock and public transport problems.”

*** Photos courtesy of media officers of Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares