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.
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 14th
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.
