Gordon-Bayani three-point plan against corruption

Dear Friends,

Now that the campaign for president and vice-president is in full swing, Gordon and Bayani need you to join them in transforming our country. Together we will build a new future, without corruption and dishonesty, a future of opportunity, jobs and development. With your help success is guaranteed.

The first step is to eradicate corruption, the cancer that is eating away at the fiber of our society. Gordon and Bayani have a three-point plan which will clean the Philippines of corruption in three years.

1. Elected ombudsman
Politicians are able to go on stealing from the people because they appoint the ombudsman. Ombudsmen are only accountable to their corrupt politician friends, not to the people whose interest they should defend. Give people the power to protect their tax money. Give people the choice on who to prosecute for corruption. Let the people elect the ombudsman.

2. Tougher penalties and stricter enforcement
To end corruption we must create stronger disincentives against both giver and receiver. Our laws must be obeyed. President Gordon and vice president Fernando will ensure the rule of law is supreme. To create additional disincentives Gordon and Bayani will support minimum jail term for all acts of corruption, from small to big. In 3 years the Philippines will be as clean as Singapore.

3. No pardon for anyone convicted of corruption
Pardoning anyone or showing any leniency towards those convicted of corruption is what keeps the culture of corruption alive in the Philippines. In Olongapo Gordon was not afraid to arrest anyone, even policemen, suspected of corruption. In the Senate he was not afraid to ask for government officials to be arrested. He will put the corrupt in jail, whoever they are, and make sure they serve their terms.

The tide is changing. Honesty and integrity will defeat corruption and deceit. Together we will build a prosperous Philippines, with well-paying jobs, new opportunities and more rapid progress. Dick Gordon and Bayani Fernando are the only ones with the record to back up their words. They did it in Olongapo, Subic Bay, Marikina and Metro Manila. Now they will do it for the entire Philippines.

Join the wave of change. You too can make change happen! Please spread the word about Gordon and Bayani, volunteer your time or donate to help us bring real, proven change to the Philippines.

Pagbabago. Sigurado.
GordonBayani. com

 

 

In the wake of ASG commander Al Bader Parad's death, Gordon: Intensify long term peace investments in Mindanao, now

Bagumbayan Party presidential bet Senator Richard J. Gordon today underscored that the government should intensify long term peace investments in Sulu and the whole Mindanao island to stop the war and ensure development in the region.

Gordon made the statement in the wake of reports that Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) commander Al Bader Parad and four others were killed in an encounter with the Philippine Marines in the mountains of Sulu.

"Sa palagay ko kaya nangyari yan dahil sa kakulangan ng governance. Kulang tayo ng gobyerno doon kaya ang mga tao napipilitang magdala ng baril at maging rebel. Dapat maiayos natin ang buhay doon para hindi na madagdagan ang mga ganyang tao na lumalabag sa batas," he said.

"Magkaroon sana ng tunay na pagbabago sa Sulu. Dapat magkaroon sila ng kabuhayan, magkaroon ng pagkakataon na maging farmer at maibenta sa tamang halaga ang mga prutas nila, magkaroon ng wastong edukasyon ang mga anak nila at mabigyan ng mga ospital. Kapag nagawa ng gobyerno lahat ng mga yan, sa halip na maging rebelled, ang mga taong ito ay magiging mga mabubuting mamamayan," he added.

Reports said Parad and four others were killed and three soldiers were wounded when Marines stormed the insurgent's hideout in Mt. Pukay in Barangay Karawan, Maimbung, Sulu. The Marines were on patrol when they spotted the band of Parad.

Last year, Parad led an ASG band that seized and held hostage three officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Gordon called on the ASG to return to the fold of the law and participate in talks with the government to find lasting peace in Mindanao.

 

Gordon with rescued 18 students and a teacher taken as human shields by the Abu Sayyaf in Maluso, Basilan March 2000

"Mas mabuting mag-usap kesa magbarilan. Ang kailangan natin ay mabuting pamamalakad ng pamahalaan na magbibigay ng oportunidad sa mga tao upang hindi sila mapilitang magbitbit ng armas at mgrebelde," the Bagumbayan standard bearer said.

43rd death anniversary of Mayor James Gordon marked on Feb. 20

February 20, will mark the 43rd death anniversary of James Leonard T. Gordon, the first municipal mayor of Olongapo City, and father of Bagumbayan presidential candidate Sen. Richard J. Gordon.

Mayor Gordon then just 50-was shot by an assassin as he stepped into Olongapo's City Hall on Feb. 20, 1967, and died a few hours later aboard a US Navy hospital ship in Subic Bay. While four men were arrested and imprisoned for the mayor's murder, the mastermind was never identified and prosecuted. The gunman, Nenito Alincastre, had just been released from Muntinlupa and was known to be protected by political and criminal syndicates in Olongapo whom the crusading mayor had fought against. It was the fourth attempt on Gordon's life.

The young Richard, then a fresh college graduate, had left Olongapo that morning for his new job in Manila, little knowing that his father's kiss that morning would be his last. As soon as he learned about the shooting, he sped back to Olongapo, but it was too late to catch his father alive.

Mayor Gordon's death was a traumatic moment for Dick, but it would also transform him into a man driven by a lifelong quest for justice. Because of the unsolved murder, Dick became a lawyer.

Following in the footsteps of his father and his mother Amelia-herself a formidable civic leader-Dick entered public service, becoming the youngest delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, mayor of Olongapo, the founding spirit and chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Secretary of Tourism, and Senator of the Republic. Dick also followed Amelia into the Red Cross, which he would serve for more than 40 years, and whose board he now chairs.

Although his father was an American soldier from New York and while he could have opted for American citizenship, James Gordon was every inch a Filipino, and fought hard for the dignity and progress of his fellow Filipinos. His mother, Veronica Tagle, was the daughter of a hero of the Philippine Revolution against Spain-Col. Jose Tagle of Imus, Cavite, whose forces routed those of Gen. Aguirre on Sept. 3, 1986, helping to turn the tide of the revolution.

In his own quest to serve his people in high office, Sen. Gordon says that it is the example of these two family heroes-as well as that of his mother, who died November 17-that sustains his hope and faith. "I will continue to fight for justice, not just for my father and my family, but for all Filipinos who have suffered too long at the hands of the powerful and the corrupt," Gordon declared on the eve of Mayor Gordon's death anniversary.

Gordon to senatorial wannabes: Senate is a 'debating chamber'

Senator Richard J. Gordon gave a good advice for Filipinos eyeing a seat in the Senate - prepare to engage in discourses because Congress is an arena for debates.
 

Gordon pointed out that people who are elected to the Senate should have the ability to engage in debates and discourses, particularly those on proposed measures to ensure that they are well crafted.

"Dapat maintindihan na kapag dumating ka sa Senado, kailangan makipagtalakayan ka, kailangan sumagot ka. This is a debating chamber. Alam mo ang rules, alam mo ang regulations. Kailangan alam mo ang gagawin mo dito sa Senado," he said.

"When you are elected to the Senate, you are supposed to possess the qualifications to speak, to propose, to contravene, to defend and to oppose. Kapag hindi ka humarap diyan, then there is something wrong. May kakulangan. I remember one senator here who once said, "hindi mo pwedeng gawing Kindergarten yung Senado,'" he added.

The senator gave the advice when he made a manifestation after Sen. Manny Villar refused to be interpellated and immediately left the Senate premises after he broke his two-year silence by giving a privilege speech on the accusations hurled against him in connection with the alleged anomalies in the C-5 Road extension project.

During his six-year term in the Senate, Gordon has delivered more than 100 privilege speeches on various issues and filed more than 200 bills and resolutions, combined.

Gordon was also one of the regular participants during floor discussions and debates, articulately voicing out views on the subject under discussion.

Expounding on his advice, the senator added that senators should be knowledgeable on a wide range of topics to enable them to participate confidently and capably in discussions and debates.

"Dito sa Senado, kung hindi natin maitataas ang kamalayan natin dito, wala tayong business na pumunta rito sa Senado. I'm on my last days in the Senate and I appeal to those who are going to join the Senate, when you are here, as in the past, dapat humanda kang tumayo rito kahit wala kang binabasa," he said.

"Dapat haharapin mo ang mga kasamahan mo, makikipagdebate ka, gagamitin mo ang nalalaman mo sa batas, yung natutunan mo sa experience mo sa buhay. It is a conglomeration of everything - your education, your experience, your philosophy, yung iyong mga advocacy," Gordon added.

Gordon wants to kill corruption

Bacolod City — Sen. Richard Gordon yesterday said he decided to run for president because he wants to kill corruption, which has held back the growth of the country, and to push for the creation of economic zones in Negros Occidental.

"I'm trying to sell you a future," Gordon said of his bid for the presidency. Gordon was in Bacolod with his running mate, Bayani Fernando, to meet with their supporters.

He pointed out that corruption has been the biggest robber in the country.

"Corruption has killed this country. Everybody has learned to be corrupt. The government is absolutely corrupt," Gordon said.

He noted the existence of corruption in various government offices.

"There is corruption in the military so the soldiers do not get the bullets they need. There is corruption in government's management of transportation so people get killed in sea mishaps. There is corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways so less school buildings are built," Gordon said.

As president, Gordon said he would kill corruption so there would be enough money to raise the salaries of teachers and to provide better education, and other much needed services of the people.

He also vowed to move for the creation of economic zones in Negros Occidental.

In the area around the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, he said an export processing zone for factories of candy and other high-value products made from sugar that was abundant in Negros could be set up.

An economic zone for information technology or a theme park for tourism could also be created at the old Bacolod airport, he added.

Gordon also cited mining as a source of funds to improve the Philippines, pointing out the $1 trillion in minerals located in the country.

Even if only 10 percent of the country's mineral deposits could be tapped, he noted that the earnings generated would be enough to pay the country's foreign debt.

Gordon added that he would work hard to ensure that Filipinos find their future in the Philippines and not in foreign shores.

Gordon, who cited his 33 years in government service, also maintained that he was the most prepared to be elected president of the Philippines in 2010 because he has the experience. INQUIRER

Gordon eyes to create ecozones in NegOcc

http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?article=20100202-250880

February 02, 2010 10:03:00

Cebu Daily News

Gordon gets another term as Red Cross chairman

Having proven that his leadership of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has made the latter the premiere humanitarian organization in the country, Senator Richard J. Gordon was given another mandate by the PRC's Board of Governors when it re-elected Gordon as chairman during their election last Thursday.

Gordon, PRC chairman for three consecutive terms now, expressed his gratitude for the support and confidence his colleagues manifested in electing him for the fourth time.

"I am very grateful to my colleagues for the support and confidence that they have shown by renewing my mandate to lead the Philippine Red Cross to greater heights in humanitarian service and alleviating suffering humanity, especially those who are most vulnerable," he said.

"I enjoin everyone in the organization to work with me for its continuous growth so we can sustain the Philippine Red Cross' image and status as the premier humanitarian organization in the Philippines, in terms of services provided and number of people served," he added.

Aside from Gordon, the newly-elected officers of the Board of Governors include Leslie W. Espino, vice chairman; Corazon Alma G. de Leon, secretary; Atty. Rodolfo O. Reyes, assistant secretary; Leonida B. Ortiz, treasurer; Ramon C. Locsin, assistant treasurer; and Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, counselor.

The Board of Governors selected Reyes and Patajo-Kapunan as members of the Board. Chester Villanueva, National Youth Council president, was also welcomed as a member of the Board to represent the youth.

Gordon, who has served as a volunteer in the Red Cross for more than four decades, strengthened and modernized the rescue capabilities of the organization through the acquisition of emergency response vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks and first aid motorcycles.

He also initiated the establishment of an additional 27 blood service facilities, making all 96 local Red Cross chapters capable of blood banking services, as well as acquired new equipment for the Operations Center to ensure efficiency and quick response in disaster monitoring.

With these new support services, Red Cross is more equipped and ready for rescue and retrieval operations during disasters.

Gordon's leadership likewise paved the way for the PRC to become a donor society and reciprocated assistance from other national societies. Thus, the PRC contributed funds to help victims in other disaster-stricken nations such as the Asian tsunami disasters, hurricane Katrina in the United States and the recent Haiti earthquake, among others.

"I hope to strengthen the Philippine Red Cross even more" the re-elected PRC chairman said.

THUMBS UP FOR CADIZ CITY

THUMBS UP FOR CADIZ CITY: Senator Richard J. Gordon, Bagumbayan presidential candidate, joins the people of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental in celebrating the 36th “Dinagsa” Festival. “Dinagsa” Festival is the people’s way of giving thanks to the sperm whales that flocked to the town in 1967, which brought an outpouring of blessings. Bayani Fernando, Gordon’s vice president, also joined the celebration.