‘Philippine Agenda’ to hit TV screens this Sunday

A first of its kind in Philippine television, GMA News and Public Affairs’ newest public affairs program "PHILIPPINE AGENDA" is undoubtedly one of the, if not the, most ambitious election program to date.

Airing its pilot episode tomorrow night, the eight-week-long program is set to deal heads-on with eight of the most pressing issues that haunt the nation – education, corruption, crime and justice, housing, job security in the Philippines and abroad, health, the environment, and hunger.

Bannered by five of the biggest and most credible personalities in local broadcasting – Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Jessica Soho, Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales – collectively referred to as the pillars of GMA News and Public Affairs, and ably supported by the organization’s most senior and experienced staffers, the PHILIPPINE AGENDA is definitely the most important and most comprehensive election program of the May 2007 polls.

"PHILIPPINE AGENDA aims to raise the level of concern and awareness of viewers about the country’s recurring problems so that in turn, they can make sound choices come election day," shares program manager Arlene Carnay.

And indeed, making sound choices is what truly counts on that critical day.

In each episode, viewers can expect gleaning facts from countless studies and from the experts while also documenting the situation of ordinary citizens on the ground. Meet teachers, doctors, government officials, policemen, overseas contract workers and find out how their lives were affected by the lack of good governance.

More importantly, PHILIPPINE AGENDA aims to reach not only the learned few but the common tao as well. "Complex issues will be made comprehensible and significant events placed in context, so that voters will know how this year’s elections can impact the nation.  Ultimately, elections should not serve the politicians’ agenda but the agenda of the people," adds Carnay.

A brainchild of Jessica Soho, the PHILIPPINE AGENDA is part of GMA Network’s ELEKSYON 2007 May polls coverage and the network’s unwavering commitment of empowering the public via its programs.

For eight consecutive weeks, PHILIPPINE AGENDA will air every Sunday night, 7pm, at GMA-7.

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Also part of GMA’s ELEKSYON 2007 is the network’s election advocacy campaign, which is airing its second plug already.

The second plug features the story of Aling Roda, a "takatak" or roving cigarette vendor. Her son Jun, also a vendor himself, is arrested by mistake for robbery. Aling Roda tries to talk to the authorities – the police and even their town mayor, but her efforts come to nothing. She can only hope her cry for justice will be heard through her one vote.

Set to air next is Doc Cata’s story. Doc Cata has always wanted to help his countrymen through his chosen profession. After graduating from med school, Doc Cata made his life-long dream a reality by being a "doctor-to-the-barrios". But frustrations started to get the better of him as he has no medicine left for his other patients and he is already broke. His last resort is to sadly shift from being a doctor to a nurse and try his luck overseas.

These plugs are aired exclusively on GMA-7.