Pro-Puno group launched

MANILA, Philippines - Businessmen and congressmen supporting Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno recently launched their group Friends of Ronnie (FOR) to highlight and “increase public awareness on the accomplishments of the DILG under Puno’s helm.”

FOR was formed by Puno’s brothers — lawyers Eric and Regis — and businessman Eric Tagle and launched last Friday night at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Secretary Puno had earlier bared plans to run for vice-president in the May 2010 polls.

Regis said FOR’s private sector component was responsible for the series of infomercials on the DILG’s accomplishments in terms of establishing women and children protection desks in all police stations nationwide and the hiring of at least 3,000 policemen each year on Puno’s watch.

For his part, Eric said the launching of FOR signals the “start of a noble commitment” for the group’s members.

“Under Secretary Puno’s leadership, the DILG has successfully partnered with local chief executives and officials in community building and peacekeeping, and has strongly advocated and implemented programs to protect women and children, establish a new breed of policemen and policewomen, and created a responsive organization to combat crime and terrorism,” said Eric.

“We recognize that he has been instrumental in carrying out the DILG’s mandate to empower local government units by delivering effective and efficient public service,” he added.

Secretary Puno meanwhile thanked his supporters for organizing FOR.

“I hope they will remain my friends forever, but as of now we won’t be talking any politics here,” Puno said. “Many of them I haven’t seen for a long time and I’m just happy that they’re around.”

Among those supporting FOR are Donald Dee, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); Sergio Ortiz-Luis of the Philippine Exporters Federation (Philexport); Francis Chua and Rene Simbulan of PCCI; Miguel Varela of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines; and Alfonso Uy of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc (FFCCCII).

Businessmen July Puzon of the Sabella Fashion Group; Rusty Samson of Denver Publishing; Greggie Licaros III of Eurocredit; Gus Corpus of Hotel SOGO; Isagani Germar of San Jose Builders; Nicanor C. Reyes III of FEU Hospital; Ricky Farinas of Farinas Transit; Ferdinand Santos of Fil-Estate; and Joey Uy of First Telecom also support FOR.

Likewise, congressmen Rodolfo Albano, Junie Cua, Antonio Alvarez, Rodolfo Antonino, Narciso Bravo, Thomas Dumpit, Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, Aurelio Gonzales, Francisco Matugas, Amelita Villarosa and Eduardo Gullas have pledged their support for the group.