Magsaysay and Aquino: Son and nephew also rise

The media forum Bulong Pulungan played host last week to scions of easily recognizable families who are entering the political ring in the 2013 senatorial elections — Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. The two are often asked if they are not bolstering the much-maligned practice called “political dynasty.”

Jun Magsaysay’s original popularity stemmed from his father’s popularity as president of the Philippines whose name is still very much revered, for not being involved in scandals, whose mambo Magsaysay slogan and tune remain catchy. His relatives are the late Sen. Genaro Magsaysay, and an uncle is Vicente Magsaysay, a former governor of Zambales. That lineage does not promote a political dynasty.

In fact Jun, on his own, has established his own record as a worthy servant of the people. He has served as congressman from 1965 to 1969 as the youngest member of Congress at that time and as senator from 1995-2007.

His achievements as chair of the senate committee on national defense and security include initiating the creation of off-base housing facilities for Filipino soldiers, making soldiers’ salaries at par with the rest of the bureaucracy, and professionalizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines by increasing the number of generals, and mandating priority promotion of on-the-field soldiers.

He made an impact as chair of the senate committee on agriculture and food. In implementing the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (RA 8435) he introduced the concept of strategic agricultural zones for the farmers and cooperatives to harness their agricultural activities, and also initiated the provision of model farms which gives landowners the option to enter into management contracts with corporate entities for high-end quality production through up-to-date technology.  

The Magsaysay committee’s report on the infamous Bolante-Fertilizer Fund scam was considered as “the most outstanding spade work ever for a legislative inquiry” . . . and “a shining example of reforming the bureaucracy by demanding accountability and good governance.”

Magsaysay has enabled more than 17,000 young Filipinos to pursue short-course technical education and post-graduate and law studies through the Iskolar ni Magsaysay Program partnered with various institutions. He has provided medical assistance to more than 100,000 Filipinos, through a voucher program with Philippine General Hospital and other state-owned medical institutions.

At the Bulong Pulungan session, Jun spoke proudly of having sponsored the Anti Money Laundering Law and its subsequent amendment (RA 9160). The law criminalizes money laundering, such that a criminal will face imprisonment, not only for the principal crime he committed, but for any attempt to enjoy the fruits of such crime. According to Magsaysay, “the law is a landmark in business as it institutionalizes a system of reporting suspicious transactions of business and financial institutions that are used by criminals to launder or hide their money.”

Another landmark piece of legislation he authored is the Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792) which provides for the legal recognition, admissibility and evidential weight of electronic data messages and electronic documents.”

Jun was 18 years old when his father died in a plane crash on March 17, 1957. His father left the family with very little money — which can’t be said of his successors. Assistance from friends and admirers of the late Chief Executive helped tide over the widow, Luz Banzon Magsaysay and her two daughters and son Jun. Jun enjoyed scholarships that got him a BS mechanical engineering degree at De La Salle College, and post-graduate courses at the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and the Harvard Business School.        

A member of the Liberal Party, as of this writing, Jun is waiting to be asked to join the party senatorial slate for the 2012 election. I strongly root for his appointment. And so did all the media persons at last week’s Bulong Pulong.

If elected, Jun, now a businessman, with having introduced cable technology in the country, would prefer to head the Senate committee on science and technology. “I will be happy there,” he said.

His position on the Reproductive Health bill that is creating great commotion in the Senate, is that he supports it, “but with responsibility for promoting quality of life.” The main responsibility of raising children — giving them a good education and a good life — belongs to the parents he said. But as to family size, the husband and wife should determine that.

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 I have written a number of times about Bam Aquino. He is the only Aquino being given support by his cousin, President P-Noy. He is the son of Paul Aquino, brother of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino, father of the President.

Bam finished BS Management Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila, summa cum laude and attended a short course on leadership and public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Bam, now in his 30s looks bright, and is bright. At the age of 25 he became chair of the National Youth Commission, where he put his advocacies into action and ensured that Filipino youth became a key partner in policy-making. At NYC he helped establish the annual search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations, now the country’s premier award for Filipino youth organizations.

After NYC, Bam set his sights on providing opportunities for poor communities around the country. He created Hapinoy Program, which helps thousands of female micro-entrepreneurs secure better incomes for their families. Hapinoy Program assists small sari-sari store owners run and improve their business.

And what about the RH bill? Bam said he is against abortion (which the bill rejects as a family planning measure). It’s up to couples to plan their family’s size, he said, and added, “We have to protect women’s health.” He is for values-based sex education. It pains him, he said, that legislators are fighting over a bill crucial to women’s health and social development.

Bam said he is not against the Conditional Cash Transfer being given to poor families, but he wants to give priority to giving them opportunities “to be able to stand on their own feet.”

I will vote for Bam if he will be allowed to run for the Senate as a Liberal Party candidate.

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This year’s Alay-Lakad Para sa Kabataaan Day will be held on September 2. Alay Lakad president Frank Evaristo announced that this year’s theme, is “Bawat Hakbang ng Mamamayan, Kapakanan ng Kabataan.” High government officials, civic leaders and business groups are expected to grace this annual event.

The walk is held every year as the signature fund-raising project of the foundation, a non-government and non-political organization. Proceeds of the walk will benefit the country’s out-of-school youths through educational assistance, skills training and livelihood programs. By far, the foundation has assisted more than 50,000 beneficiaries.  

Hosts of this year’s project will be the BI Four civic clubs known for their outstanding services to communities nationwide. These are Rotary District 3810 headed by Gov. Ismael Mercado; Kiwanis headed by Gov. Florencio Lat; Lions 301-A1 headed by headed by Gov. Ruth Chua and Lions District 301-A2 headed BY Gov. Procesa Pena, and JCIs headed by national president Randolf Ivan Ruste. The clubs will act as coordinating committee chairs for walk 2012.

Donations will be accepted either on the walk day itself at the Quirino grandstand, Rizal Park, or after Alay-Lakad day. For inquiries call the ALFI national secretariat office at tel. 5226134.

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