Questions and Answers About the
Noynoy-Mar U.S. Campaign
By Atty. Ted
Laguatan
Q. Why should we support
Noynoy-Mar?
A. The most
important kind of leadership that the Philippines needs right now
is moral leadership. So many Filipinos now feel hopeless and
helpless because the country has had two successive presidents who
are known or perceived to be corrupt: the present one and the one
before her. Corrupt leaders are not effective leaders. Their
followers follow them because of their own selfish motives.
Corrupt leaders tend to be followed by corrupt followers. Corrupt
leaders place their interests above that of the people leading to
so much mass suffering. They impose so many burdens among the
people in their quest to enrich themselves and remain in power.
Moral leadership is critically needed in the Philippines
today.
Q. Will Noynoy be a moral
leader?
A. The probability is
that he will. His father, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. -
suffered much by being imprisoned for 8 years and then
assassinated for refusing to cooperate with evil. He could easily
have joined forces with Marcos and could have been a wealthy and
powerful crony like so many. Instead he suffered and died for his
principles. His mother, the late President Corazon Aquino,
although hampered by her lack of experience to rule - was
unquestionably sincere in doing her best to serve the interests of
the Filipino people who were grateful and loved her for that as
indicated by millions who attended her funeral. Noynoy would
dishonor the legacies and sacrifices of his parents if he were to
be anything else but a moral leader.
Q. Will Mar be
a moral leader?
A. Mar is the
grandson of the late President Manuel Roxas and the son of the
late Senator Gerry Roxas. His father was also imprisoned and
oppressed by Marcos for refusing to cooperate with his
dictatorship. His grandfather did his best to be president of a
country devastated by World War II. With this legacy and an
excellent education and coming from a very wealthy family – the
probability of Mar becoming corrupt is highly
unlikely.
Q. What else about the Noynoy-Mar
tandem?
A. They complement each
other. Both are well meaning, low key, humble, very approachable,
listen well – and do not appear to have ego problems. This means a
good working relationship that serves the interests of the nation.
Both have excellent public service records untainted by any
corruption issues.
Q. Why is the support of U.S.
Pinoys and other overseas Pinoys so important to the
campaign?
A. In general –
overseas Filipinos are perceived to have no personal agendas. We
only want what is good for our people and the Philippines. We are
not campaigning because we want positions in government or seek
business advantages. And so therefore – our support for particular
candidates creates an impact among voters in the Philippines. They
know that we only want the candidates that are best for the
Philippines. So when we generate mass support for particular
candidates, the impression is that these candidates are the right
candidates for the nation. Our support for Noynoy and Mar
influences friends, relatives and others in the Philippines
especially our idealistic youth.
Q. Why should U.S.
Pinoys and other overseas Pinoys be involved in the coming
Philippine elections?
A. The
reason so many of us left the Philippines is because we could not
find a better life in the Philippines for ourselves and our
families. Many of us indeed have found a better life overseas. But
so many of our brethren in the Philippines continue to suffer much
from poverty and lack of opportunities for a better life. Millions
of talented intelligent Filipino children never flower to their
full potential in the sciences, arts and other fields because they
are not given the opportunities and proper environment to nurture
their potentials. The country and its people are hampered by
corrupt leaders in a broken political system that clearly does not
work to create a better life for the many who are poor. The
technology of corruption has been perfected by government
officials and their co-conspirators. For many of us here in the
U.S. – even if we have found good comfortable lives for ourselves
and our children – our lives are not completely fulfilled because
many of our fellow Filipinos in the Philippines continue to
suffer. We owe it to them and to future generations of Filipinos
to help create a better Philippines. This is the reason why we
need to get involved in this campaign. This essentially is a
campaign for better lives for millions of Filipinos. It is a
campaign for real change: change in the system and change in
leadership.
Q. How can you help in this
campaign?
A. You can help in so
many ways to get Noynoy and Mar elected:
1. Urge your
friends and relatives and others here and in the Philippines to
support Noynoy and Mar. Tell them that moral leadership is
critical for the future of our people.
2. Contribute needed
money for the campaign. If you contribute by check –make it
payable to: “U.S. Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar”.
3. If you cannot
contribute money – contribute campaign materials, posters,
T-shirts, pamphlets, etc.
4. Use your talents for the
campaign: give speeches, write articles, do public relations work,
etc. Emphasize the need for moral leadership.
5. Volunteer
for some of the activities of the “U.S. Pinoys for Noynoy-Mar”.
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