With the survey frontliners conspicuously absent, yesterday’s presidential forum held at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) nevertheless proved to be a success as presidential candidates laid down their solutions to the different problems that’s beleaguering Mindanao.
The forum, dubbed Panaghisgut-hisgut 2010 Mindanao Presidential Forum sponsored by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Southern Mindanao Tourism Council, Mindanao Business Council, and AdDU was attended by all presidential candidates except Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Manny Villar and former President Joseph Estrada.
IBP-Davao Chapter president lawyer Pinky Cabreros and DCCCII president engineer Robert Quinto said the forum was successful even in the absence of three candidates.
Quinto said the group now knows where Mindanao is in the hearts of the candidates who were not present.
Villar and Estrada were present at the Sukatan Presidential Forum sponsored by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy yesterday afternoon.
It was learned that Aquino did not make it even to the Quiboloy forum because he was not feeling well. He sent his sister Ballsy Aquino to be present at that forum.
At the AdDU forum, candidates Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Robert Gordon, JC delos Reyes, Jamby Madrigal, and Nicanor Perlas gave their take on the energy crisis, the peace negotiations, warlordism, and other issues affecting Mindanao.
Mindanao energy crisis
For Teodoro, it is time to explore the possibility of utilizing nuclear power to serve the power needs of Mindanao.
“We should discover and explore all options for safe nuclear energy,” he said, suggesting that the country follow the example of the United Arab Emirates which recently inked a contract with a Korean electric power company to set up nuclear power plants.
“I don’t see the reason why we should not explore nuclear power when Filipinos used to run the plants in Korea and Japan,” he said.
In the short term, Teodoro said the government can initiate a multisectoral agreement on commissioning new or existing power barges and increase the power generating capacity of industrial users by allowing big companies to import self generators on a tax free basis.
He said the government can also waive the tariffs on self generators as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).
Teodoro also suggested an increased investment in alternative and renewable energy, one of which is a water catchment system that would be used to generate hydroelectric power and would ease the flooding in flood-prone areas.
Gordon agreed, saying nuclear power is already being used by neighboring Asian countries so there is no reason why the Philippines should not also do the same.
He said Mindanaoans should take the prerogative in bringing in nuclear power plants in the region and take affirmative action in fixing the power problem.
Gordon said the power shortage in Mindanao “could have been anticipated” and “should never have happened in the first place” especially since this has already happened during the time of President Corazon Aquino and President Fidel Ramos.
For Madrigal, government should explore the use of other alternative and renewable energy sources, adding the government should put more money in alternative energy sources.
She said the government’s budget for debt servicing should instead be placed in Mindanao to ensure ample power supply.
Perlas suggested the use of smart grids that would help increase the use of hydro, solar, and wind powered electric plants.
He also batted for more geothermal power use and reforestation to ensure the geothermal supply.
Villanueva said he would support scientific studies for alternative energy. For the short term solution, he also supports the use of power barges.
Peace talks
Most of the presidential candidates gave a failing mark to the peace process between the government with the Moro Islamic Liberation Font (MILF).
Delos Reyes said it is evident that the peace process has failed because “ we continue to see Mindanao in deterioration.”
He said the peace process should include stakeholders like internally displaced people and those living in the conflicted areas in the peace panels.
Delos Reyes said if really pushed, peace can be achieved within one year – but this means having to break paradigms. “Real peace can be achieved by progressive disarmament, which is the platform of the Ang Kapatiran Party,” he said.
For Gordon, lack of consultation caused the failure of the peace process in Mindanao.
He said the government should respect, understand, and consult the people who are most affected and displaced by the conflict.
Madrigal believes the Arroyo government has mismanaged the peace process because “instead of truly granting peace she has militarized the island.”
For Villanueva, genuine peace “has been so elusive” because the government has failed to show genuine sincerity in tackling peace and order in Mindanao.
“Establish a genuine peace and development commission and explore the possibility of a federal system,” Villanueva suggested to truly address the problem of peace.
Perlas, for his part, said the peace process is a big failure because of the political patronage practiced by the Arroyo government.
He said before talking peace, the government should first start delivering services and pouring in budget to the conflict ridden areas.
Teodoro, who served as Defense Secretary under the Arroyo administration, refused to answer directly if the peace process is a success or a failure, instead offering a solution that would help end the decades-long conflict.
He said there is no one peace process that could solve the problem in Mindanao but local peace dialogues should be continued.
Teodoro said the national government should fully support the Mindanaoans as they come up with solutions to end the conflict in their area.
He also said neighboring countries, especially members of the BIMP-EAGA, should be engaged in the peace process.
Warlordism
The November 23 massacre in Maguindanao raised the issue of warlordism in Mindanao and the presidential candidates were asked what they would do to put a stop to it.
Madrigal, Perlas, and Gordon believe the current government has tolerate warlordism.
Perlas said the Maguindanao massacre was a result of traditional politics which has turned a blind eye to the problem because of the votes the Ampatuan clan delivered for the Arroyo administration.
He said the Ampatuans were “nobodies” in 2001, but after they delivered 100 percent votes to the administration they became an untouchable giant.
Perlas said should he win, he would ensure that privately armed groups would be dismantled within 100 days of office.
Madrigal, who agreed with Perlas said warlordism is a result of traditional politics. She also blamed the Department of National Defense (DND) for the proliferation of private armed groups.
“It is the failure of our Department of Defense in allowing one man to amass so much arms and money because he has helped GMA cheat,” she said.
Gordon, for his part, said the lack of accountability by the leaders allowed such armed groups to exist. “They were left alone,” he said.
Gordon also pointed to the DND as the source of guns held by these private armed groups.
Delos Reyes proposed a responsible political party system that would keep its members in check to dispose of warlordism.
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