If you were the new President, what would you do?

Finally, We have a new President. No matter how long it has taken to get here, we finally made it. It is my wish that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo keep the six promises she made that will help improve the lives of all Filipinos. The President of the country is normally surrounded by a lot of people who feel that they have the best advice for her, but this is not always the case. It’s not easy to be President of a country, to be given the responsibility to lead a country. Read on what some well-known people would do if they were given the chance to be president.

JESSICA SOHO, TV host: I will try to be magnanimous in my victory and forgive my enemies and then I would immediately set out to heal the nation, and fix the economy.

MIKE ROMERO, former congressman and KNP spokesperson: Meet with all top political, business, civic and religious leaders individually and as a group to achieve peace, unity, and prosperity in governing a divided and economically ailing nation.

LEN BAUTISTA, chairperson, LTRFB: 1) Go after tax evaders especially the big fish; 2) Cut down CDF to 50 percent; 3) Put a strong program on water conservation; 4) Set up job placement offices in the barangay level; 5) Eliminate crime (drugs, kidnapping, smuggling) syndicates.

PERRY PE, lawyer: Cut the budget deficit by reducing government spendings, reducing our debts, increasing tax collection and revenues. We can accomplish this by streamlining government operations.

CHIQUI ROA-PUNO, broadcaster and TV host: If I were president I would hold regular dialogues with the youth – an open forum of sorts where the young people, the future of this country can ask questions, voice out their concerns and make known what matters most to them. But first things first – I will declare urinating against the wall a criminal offense!

DR. VIVIAN SARABIA, president and CEO, Sarabia Optical: If I were President of this country, I will do my best to inspire people toward personal, moral and economic empowerment.

JOSIE LICHAUCO, former Secretary of Transportation and Communications: If I were to become President of our country today, I would immediately fall on my knees, pray as I’ve never prayed before, for deliverance from the worst economic, social, moral and political problems our country has ever suffered, and ask God to give me the moral authority to lead my countrymen in their quest for a new soul.

THELMA SAN JUAN; general manager ABS-CBN Publishing/ editor-in-chief Metro magazine: I will live by what I say. Right now an example of integrity can spell the difference between instability and progress.