Gibo to focus on economy, peace and order

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s march toward progress and development will only be realized once weak economic programs and the lingering problems of peace and order are addressed by the next generation of political leaders, Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday.

Speaking over dwIZ radio’s “Karambola” program, Teodoro said economy and peace and order will be his first concerns if he succeeds in his presidential bid.

The country’s next leaders, he said, should work very hard to enhance its revenue by implementing efficient tax administration and by continuously courting foreign and domestic investments in order to improve its economic and financial viability.

“Ultimately, you have to have a good government,” he said. “There is a need to raise enough money in order to fund various development projects and for the government to meet its commitments.”

He said the government needed a total of P208 billion alone to rise above the devastation left by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

Teodoro also advocated the restructuring of the country’s educational system by espousing the “Philippine Education Roadmap,” which will strengthen basic education, but will make the school curriculum longer.

He added that scholars must be developed from the public sector in order to give every family a chance to have at least a child who can finish college.

On the labor front Teodoro said he would work to end the practice of “institutionalized contractualization” by perpetuating the tripartite system of the Department of Labor and Employment by increasing job opportunities.

He said he would push for the insurance coverage of all Filipinos under PhilHealth and for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to at least include in its insurance coverage the repatriation of workers from abroad.    In addressing corruption, Teodoro said punishment should be handed out swiftly to any government official who would be proven to have enriched himself in office.

However, he batted for a reward system to government employees who are performing their jobs well.

Lakas exudes confidence

Meanwhile, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD promised to deliver as many as 10.8 million votes to Teodoro since 70 percent of its local officials are running under the ruling party.

“With our local leaders helping in the campaign, we can deliver to Secretary Teodoro between 20 and 30 percent of the estimated voter turnout of 36 million, which is 80 percent of the 45-million official voting population,” Teodoro’s spokeswoman, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, said.

“The battle for the presidency will be won at the local and grassroots levels. We are confident of winning this race as we believe that we have the best candidate on the person of Secretary Teodoro,” she said, adding that the ruling party has the best organization among other political parties contending in the 2010 election.

Magsaysay expressed optimism on the presidential victory of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer in the forthcoming elections.          — With Paolo Romero