The country's top leading presidential candidates, except for the frontrunner in the surveys, on Friday laid out their plans and platforms if elected in the position during a forum hosted by the media that was widely broadcasted all over the country.
Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao and labor leader Leody de Guzman graced the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas' "Panata Sa Bayan, The 2022 Presidential Candidates Forum" which aired on more than 300 channels in the country.
Only former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who is the leading candidate in the recent surveys, did not attend the event supposedly due to conflict in schedule. Marcos Jr.'s spokesman, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, eventually said the aspirant had a scheduled interview with broadcaster Korina Sanchez.
Robredo, who participated in the forum despite intermittent internet connection, presented her plans for the country, which include: revival of the trust in the government to generate more jobs, strengthening of the Filipino industries, protecting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), addressing the discrimination issues in workplaces as well as public employment and unemployment insurnace program for the displaced workers.
The vice president said she will also address malnutrition of children in her first 1,000 days, assert the country's rights over the West Philippines Sea, provide the needs of the communities facing threats and problems of insurgency, fight against illegal drugs, increase health budget, give training and additional salaries to the teachers, relocate those living in the danger zone and make communities resilient against disasters.
Meanwhile, Moreno will focus on housing programs—just like what they "did in Manila." He will also push for quality basic education, creation of more jobs and the construction of regional hospitals because the country's "health is in abysmal state" as well as education of medical students.
The Manila mayor added he will craft strategies in tourism, including the promotion of sustainable tourism and development of tourism highways, continue the Build, Build, Build program, focus on digital transformation and offer a risk-free capital to the farmers.
"Finally, this is my solemn pledge for each of the fishermen in this country, we will fish in the West Philippine Sea unhampered, unharmed and safe," he added.
For Lacson, his plans are:
- getting rid of corruption
- internal cleansing of "inept, corrupt and undisciplined government officials and employees"
- implementation of the Universal Healthcare Act
- assistance to MSMEs
- provision of equipment and seedlings to agricultural workers and abolishment of import-dependent mentality
- giving accessible education and paid government internship program
- budget reform to develop the countryside and provide equal salaries for all
"Sa ilalim ng administrasyong Lacson, walang korapsyon. Malinis at tapat ang gobyerno (Under Lacson administration, there would be no corruption, only clean and honest government)," the senator said.
On the other hand, Pacquiao said he will create housing programs, provide free and good education, support the farmers and improve the transportation and internet connectivity. These are part of the 22-point agenda.
Unlike other candidates, Pacquiao did not expound details on his plans, but rather focused on his experiences and observations.
Lastly, de Guzman said he will prioritize the welfare of workers, farmers, fishermen, and the people if, and not the businessmen.
"I-re-eorient ang ating sistema sa ekonomiya. Sa halip na unahin ang kapakanan ng mga negosyante, uunahin ang kapakananan ng kabuhayan at kagalingan ng ating mamamayan (We will re-orient our economic system. Instead of prioritizing the welfare of the businessmen, we will prioritize the welfare of the people through employment and competency) ," de Guzman, a labor leader, said.
He also said he will stop the practice of contractualization through abolishing manpower agencies, raise the salaries in the province and make them similar to what is being given in Metro Manila, encourage labor unions and give additional funding to the agriculture and fishing industries.
To address social inequality, de Guzman said he will impose a hefty 20 percent tax on the country's top 500 wealthiest people.