Six presidential aspirants sent their representatives to the USLS Presidential Candidates Forum attended by graduating students of the University, the media, and the different sectors of society on March 15.

       Six presidential aspirants sent their representatives to the USLS Presidential Candidates Forum attended by graduating students of the University, the media, and the different sectors of society on March 15.

Representatives of the presidential aspirants hailed their standard bearer’s platform of government as each one of them was given the chance to talk about the priorities of their candidate.

Atty. Butch Abad who spoke in behalf of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III highlighted that under Noynoy’s leadership will be a government that prioritizes jobs that empower the people by providing them with opportunities to rise above poverty.  “If the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino said – the Filipino is worth dying for – while the late president Cory Aquino said – the Filipino is worth living for – then Noynoy will stand for the Filipino is worth fighting for,” Abad said.

Atty. James Embong represented Ang Kapatiran’s presidential bet John Carlos Delos Reyes. He emphasized the idea that their standard bearer is guided more on the spiritual aspect who believes to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”  and that the topmost priority is to build a nation of character and promote the integral development and total well-being of all Filipinos. 

Mayor Kate Gordon of Olongapo, passionately spoke in behalf of her husband Sen. Richard Gordon. She said that her husband’s vision is to provide a leadership that requires a clear and coherent visualization that sets the philosophy and framework for good governance.  Kate further noted that her husband’s credible track record will speak of how capable her husband is for the presidency. “Gordon would like to prioritize the exercise on the degree of selflessness for our greater good and that people must be concerned with the welfare of others,”  she added.

Independent candidate Nicanor Perlas was filled in by Teresa Ruelas. Ruelas specified that Perlas’ platform is to eradicate the massive poverty, inequitable growth, lawlessness, and conflicts that plague our country. Another concern according to Ruelas is to stop the massive destruction of our ecology and recognize that everything is interconnected and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro was represented by Atty. Mike Toledo. He stressed out the importance of innovative ideas to fuel the industry and the economy and that the talents and minds of our countrymen are the greatest resources. He further expressed that education is a major component of nation building that must be properly addressed. The Filipino children should be well equipped with the right skills and knowledge which are globally competitive, he added.

Bangon Pilipinas candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva was represented by Atty. Lyndon Caña who said that his leadership calls for unity, regardless of religious affiliations and stand in the society. Caña also explained that they believe that for the country to recover from the terminal cancer of corruption, injustice and poverty, both the leadership and the people must weave back the basic tenets of love for God and love for country into the fabric of Philippine politics and governance.

Failing to send their representatives were Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Manny Villar and former President Erap Estrada.

Prior to the Presidential Candidates Forum that day, a Voter’s Education on the Automated Election System was initiated by COMELEC Bacolod.