Getting to Know Paolo Roxas

WHO IS PAOLO ROXAS?

A lot of netizens were curious when a meme featuring the 'Presidential sons' was circulating online. Baste Duterte is representing his father in sorties, while Grace Poe's son Brian Llamanzares is not a stranger in the news arena as he was a former CNN news reporter. Junjun Binay? He doesn't need any introduction. He's all over the papers specially last year.



But a lot of people haven't heard much about Paolo Roxas, the only son of Mar Roxas.

In all fairness, these young gentlemen are respectful towards each other. I sincerely admire their professionalism.

Paolo Gerardo Roxas was born on September 9, 1993. He is the son of Mar Roxas with former beauty queen/interior designer Maricar Zaldarriaga. He finished his secondary/high school at the British School Manila and like teens his age, he went on a gap year. Instead of traveling and frolicking in beaches, he chose to work as a microfinance loan officer at Kasagana-Ka. He was assigned at the Montalban, Rizal office. With this job, he engaged in livelihood projects (sari-sari store, livestock). He dealt mostly with housewives who wants to earn extra income. He supervised and also learned about investments, stocks and accounting.

He moved on by working at Messy Bessy as an english tutor. He also juggled while enrolled in the in the Alternative Learning System, an informal instructional program under the Department of Education.

At such young age, he learned to multitask and work effectively!


He enrolled at Yale University Connecticut and pursued a course in Economics. We assume this is influenced by his dad.

Another interesting trivia about the young Roxas is he can speak Mandarin! He took up lessons at the Harvard-Beijing Academy. Last summer, he spent some time at the London School of Economics.

Paolo Roxas is already on his third year at the Yale University, but currently on break in order to help his dad this campaign season. Personally, I am impressed with how his parents raised him.

Also, he is a looker!

Here are some videos of Paolo Roxas:

Paolo Roxas, we are looking at you. We're hopeful that you'll stay at your father's side and who knows, you might also be the future president of the country (he has some resemblance with the present Canadian Prime Minister!)

News and Photo Source:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/227410/mandarin-speaking-ngo-trained-paolo-roxas-is-his-fathers-son

On Duterte's Undisclosed Bank Accounts: Will You Still TRUST him?

One of the greatest characteristics of Philippine politics is that no one leaves unscathed. Mudslinging is a normal scenario amplified by the local news stations and crab mentality a standard trait of all. But what if the basis of all these steamy actions is true and valid?

The latest of all these drama that the presidential elections cause is issue bank accounts allegedly containing bloated millions by thepresidential lead Rodrigo Duterte. If what senator Antonio Trillanes IV claims to be true, the existence of a P211 million peso bank account, then forerunner Duterte will face a lot of sanctions including a wrongly declared statement of assets and liabilities or SALN.

As of the writing of this article, various deposits were made to the bank account posted by the national newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer. For now, we do know that there is indeed an existing bank account under Duterte and his daughter’s name.  

Both Duterte and Cayetano are transparent? You think so?

Though he and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano are in favor of transparency in bank accounts of both local and foreign, the bank secrecywaiver that they signed is deemed moot.



From a banker’s point of view, a bank secrecy waiver is actually a formal document containing the written permission by the depositor and all the information about the account or accounts in question. It specifically implies that the waiver opens such information that is protected otherwise by the Republic Act No. 1405 or simply the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits. Therefore, technically, the waiver both Duterte and Cayetano signed is moot. They may have been in favor of transparency of bank accounts of all the presidential and vice presidential candidates but they still have to sign the real deal to be able to put the essence of the waiver in action. Otherwise, a bank cannot do anything with it. Simply put, the intent is there, the action is not.

So if Duterte is as clean and innocent as he claims to be, then why does he refuse to sign a formal bank secrecy waiver? He did admit that he owns several bank accounts at that specific Bank of The Philippine Island branch; though he said that it only contained thousands of pesos not millions as what Trillanes claims. IF that is the case, why then did he refuse to sign the waiver? Is he hiding something? Perhaps in the form of millions of pesos unaccounted for? Something undeclared? Something that is not commensurate to one’s sources of income?

One might begin to think, what else are the possible forms of betrayal we might have to face as voters? We haven’t even elected a president yet, but we are already facing betrayals of trust in the form of blatant lying and obstruction to truth and transparency. His bid for the presidential seat has already been tarnished not by one but many things. First was the issue of his vulgarity and viciousness offending the highest leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the women population of local and international backgrounds.


Next was the issue surrounding his persona regarding unaccounted deaths and support for mass vigilantes that he blatantly admits. Another, his stand on Philippineterritorial disputes that obviously favors the Asia’s giant, which is China and puts the country at dregs. Finally, his stand of being in favor with federalism and paying of NPA taxes, which would aggravate not alleviate the situation in the southern part of the country.

Trust is always a basis in leadership. One cannot possibly respect and follow an elected leader’s administration if the leader is, in the first place, untrustworthy. Though one single vote seems to be nil, collectively, we can change the course of our nation. Putting our votes on a candidate is tantamount to putting our trust in them. With our votes, our elected leaders are trusted to lead us into progress that is felt and development that is sustainable. We see these leaders as our guides to better living conditions and more humane days. Given these, what are the characteristics of a leader do you want to follow? Surely not someone with just an intention but no action.

WHY I AM VOTING FOR MAR ROXAS

EDUCATION

A well-educated leader, Mar Roxas graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. As we all know, University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League and it only takes the best of the best to be part of its student population. It’s a cutthroat competition to even get a slot in the school, let alone to successfully comply with the needed requirements to finish a degree. But Mar did. He has the brains and the background to be the best presidential candidate as he took up Bachelor of Science in Economics. He is a Wharton educated individual, trained in Economics. Education wise, you can’t top that. Is there anything better than an Ivy League school? None. He ranks first in this one.

CONSISTENCY

Unlike some candidates who lack consistency in terms of policies and programs, our guy has been consistent since day one. The strategies he advocated and the programs he pushed through are aligned to achieve one single goal – development for all. From his stint at the Department of Trade and Industry, Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council and Task Force for Personal Computers, all were geared to the strengthening IT skills and foundation for the labor force to be highly employable. We need this often-disregarded trait. Consistency in terms of political agenda and programs has been lacking with the leaders of the country. We have to be consistent since it takes decades to see development and savor the fruits of our labor. The consistency that the country needs lie in these programs to assist the poor, provide infrastructures and develop skills, all which will not happen overnight and will take years in implementation. Consistency is needed since the leaders of the country should be on their toes, evaluating these programs and monitoring the progress; and at some point revising what needs to be revised and addressing the unforeseen needs. Mar had shown consistency at all times, and undoubtedly he will show it again.

EXPERIENCE

Being the best teacher, Mar had decades of exposure to both the legislative and executive branches of our government. He was the primary author of the Roxas Law of the Republic Act 7880 which revolutionized the education system of the country. He prioritized education by making sure that there is a fair distribution of budget among provinces. He also spearheaded the development of markets a.k.a palengke as the primary component of the country’s economy. He saw the promising contributions of small or big trading places as a catalyst to a robust economy. He saw the prospect; he paved the way to make these potential benefits possible. Finally, during his time at the Senate, he authored a total of 43 bills and brought 46 resolutions to the Congress. While during the 14^th Congress, one of the most important of his legislative agenda was the Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage Earners Bill (Senate Bill No. 103).

CONTINUITY

Fighting for the same causes as with the Aquino administration, Mar Roxas is the beacon for continuity. We do not need a change in political administration – we need someone who will pick up from where the previous government left off and continue the programs as planned and implement new programs as needed. We have to be aware of the detrimental effects the we will surely encounter if there is a change in political administration especially to the economic performance of a country.

In this instance, if we voted for a leader that would stray away from the platforms of the previous administration, we will definitely lose the leverage we had for the past years. From a booming economy in the South East Asia, we will most probably start at ground zero again.

One does not need to be an economist to figure things out - continuity is better than change. Mar Roxas, undoubtedly, is the best man for the job at hand. With his experience working with the previous administration, he will be able to translate these rankings and rates into something that is tangible – a development that is seen and felt. We need a leader that is consistent with the policies of the Aquino administration. The country needs to be coherent in its infrastructure building, foreign policies and development programs. We need someone who will continuously build on what the past administration had already built, not someone who will destroy it in lieu for his own personal and political interest.

TACT

Among all presidential candidates, Mar remains humble and grounded. His work does the talking for him.  Under his belt are exemplary credentials that he accomplished as an excellent policy maker. Despite these, he does not go on a mud-slinging spree to be able to stay ahead of the game. He is the epitome of class in an almost class less roster of presidential wannabes. He embodies the character and strength an ideal president needs to have – grace under pressure, politically correct, long term vision and amiable policies. In the world of politics where playing dirty is the usual and popular norm, he chose to rise above these and continue to portray what a leader should truly be.

CONCLUSION

As a first time voter, it is easy for me to choose who my president will be. With proper research, investigation and study of the presidentiables’ platforms and in depth assessment of their characters; I can confidently say that my vote will remain significant if it is used for a person of high caliber and worthy character, in this case, Manuel Araneta Roxas II. He has all the trait and characteristics that an ideal president should be. He has more than enough experience in the government and the private sector. He showed consistency and reaped results for all to enjoy and savor. He is diplomatic in his ways and wise in his endeavors. He transcends beyond his pedigree and puts the country before his personal interests. What more can I ask from a leader? Nothing else. Nothing more. I vote for Mar. You should too.

Of Vulgarity and Viciousness

What is the dividing line between candor and vulgarity? Action and viciousness?

Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is yet again making national and international headlines for his crudeness and guilelessness. Just last week, he was repeatedly placed in hot waters when he made a joke about an Australian missionary who was raped and murdered in Davao during a mission. Among the many tirades of vehement and furious reactions, the ambassadors from Australia and America seem to have infuriated the country’s Dirty Harry the most.

In his latest statement Duterte told Australian Amabassador Amanda Gorely to shut up. This exchange of fiery words between the two has been going on for several incidents. The spark that fueled the would be several confrontations between the two leaders originated from the rape joke Duterte delivered in front of a live audience. The Australian ambassador took it to social media t air out her take on the matter saying “Rape and murder should never be joked about or trivialized. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable anytime, anywhere.” This was followed by an apology by Duterte

The second incident due to his vulgarity that tainted a crack between our foreign relationships happened on a speech he made in front of an audience during a conference with the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies at SMX. He questioned the decisions of possible tourists in visiting Mexico, a country riddled with kidnappings, killings and drugs, according to the presidential candidate. Not knowing that the Ambassador was present in the occasion, he was instantly apologetic informed of the situation.

The third accident was when United States ambassador Philip Goldberg showed support and solidarity with the Australian ambassador during a television interview. According to him “any statements by anyone, anywhere that either degrade women or trivialize issues so serious as rape or murder, are not ones that we condone”.

Snapping back at both the Australian and American ambassadors, the presidential candidate told them to “shut your mouths and sever our ties” if ever he became the president. With this show of crudeness alone, how can we still tolerate his long-standing vulgar mouth if this leads to serious political repercussions? Eventually, viciousness?

With all these incidents, as a Filipino one should start worrying if he was made a president. Ambassadors are technically a country’s presidents in a foreign land. Therefore, they should be shown the respect and reverie that they are entitled to; treated how the actual head of state should be treated. The way the presidential candidate mishandled the situation and reacted to the tirades against these ambassadors are just a peek at his probable governance once he wins the election to the highest position in the land.

Also, it is not the responsibility of a single individual to “sever ties” with a country. The long meticulous relationship between countries built on mutual respect and trust is at risk and on the line. What took years or even decades of building and strengthening by numerous political leaders may crumble due to the recklessness of a single person’s dirty mouth. Has he considered the treatment our fellow Filipinos will be experiencing after his tasteless and undiplomatic statement against these countries? Perhaps the economic effects of trade between these countries were also left alone when he made these statements. How about the potential immigration problems and difficulties? These problems have barely scratched the surface of the possible setbacks and consequences of his statements. The talk of severing ties between our allies is extremely tactless to the point of stupid.

Running a country is difficult. Tact is needed. Diplomacy too. Obviously he is bereft of both.

Mar Roxas: Beyond His Pedigree

Out of the lack of political arguments against Liberal Party standard bearer and presidential candidate Mar Roxas, numerous personal attacks against his background surfaces for the purpose of mudslinging and tarnishing his otherwise impeccable background. Among the many, the most notable one is that he is from the higher echelons of the society, with this background, majority are still skeptical on his capacities to serve the underprivileged.  As they use to say, how can he be able to address the sentiments and the needs of the masses if he himself have not experienced a mediocre, middle class life?

                  Yes, he is the grandson of the Liberal Party founder and a former president of the republic, he is the son of a senator, his mother comes from the bourgeoisie classes of the Aranetas and he is married to a top broadcast journalist in the county. But despite all these pedigree, his public service records from being a congressman, secretary, to being a senator refutes the otherwise weak arguments and questionability against his credence.

                  As a matter of fact, I find that the true essence of good public service is the fact that a politician, rather a public servant, born and raised from a bourgeoisie social class was able to foresee and address the sentiments of the people below his social circle. This means, a great deal of compassion and empathy flows through the veins of this presidential aspirant. For him to be able to cater to the people who can more or less give him nothing in exchange for the laws and programs that he wrote fought for and implemented for their progress and development. He needed no loud forms of veneration and showed no sign of atrocious braggadocio. He embodies the true form a public servant needs to be.

                  As a PhD candidate, I value education above all forms of policies and programs. I believe that the change we wanted to see, the progress we direly prayed for starts and ends in being properly educated. I do not narrowly mean getting a degree or certificate. I meant being educated, skilled and well equipped talent-wise to be able to become a productive citizen of the country. The misconception these days is you need to have a college degree to be able to land a stable well paying job. The misconception these days is that the elite can only afford education; hence it is becoming a rare commodity. But this has been changed by the country’s best hope for presidency, Mar Roxas. He knew the importance of education, therefore he acted upon it.

                  Among the many laws and programs that Roxas stood for is the Republic Act 7880 or the Fair and Equitable Access to Education Act or shortly known as the Roxas Law. As the principal author, Roxas is well noted for this during his stint in the House. Signed in 1995, this law was made to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of education budget among all the provinces in the Philippines. This gave assurance to his advocacy of bringing equitable access to education, the education that is free from regional biases and considerations from political patronages.     

                  As an advocate for fair education, what are this law’s achievements so far? First, around 180,000 classrooms were built during the first five years of the Aquino administration. In fact, this figure is more than the combined number of classrooms built since 1986. Second, in terms of technological advancement made available for students, a total of 30,000 computers were distributed to about two thousand public high schools all over the country. This achievement is his tangible commitment to good education through the Personal Computers for Public Schools  (PCPS) Program. This translates to over half a million high school students provided with the necessary information technology skills needed for easier job placements.

                  Of course, in the future, there are tweaks and ratifications needed by the law to be able to address the growing and changing needs of our education sector. But the main point here is that Mar Roxas’ capability to go beyond his personal background and upbringing enables him to become the best presidential candidate as he can identify and immediately work on the needs and demands of the people regardless of backgrounds.

                  In short, these coming presidential elections who do you think is the best leader who can lead our country? The candidate riddled with sickness? The one whose viciousness and vulgarities are infamous both locally and internationally? The one who together with his family is involved in numerous cases of graft and corruption? The one whose only accomplishment is their adoptive father’s surname? Or the one with impeccable executive and legislative experience who has solid record for public service. The answer is obvious.