Yesterday, we had a fast-paced interview with Dr. Martin Bautista, a Senatorial candidate for the Liberal Party. Our questions ranged from his roots, his political association, and his stand on different issues. Our questions include:
- Where he grew up? Why he became a doctor? Why he went to work in the USA? Why he came back?
- Why he run for Senator under the LP and not under his old party, the Ang Kapatiran? Why he supports Sen. Aquino?
- His stand on the RH Bill, on Charter Change, on the Erap Pardon, on Marcos' years, etc.
Listen to Dr. Bautista as he gamely answers all our questions, many of them obviously quite challenging, with passion. Said broadcast archive can now be accessed and listened to from this link.
Sentro ng Katotohanan, February 16, 2010, with Dr. Martin Bautista
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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4 comments:
It was interesting to hear from an LP person. Dr. Bautista proved a very capable speaker. However, I think he fails to break my impressions about the LP ticket.
First, he kept saying "pag nawala na si Gloria sa puesto." The LP are still over-focused on Anti-Glorianism, and thus they remain centered on the "scapegoat" rather than truly pushing for true political reform in many sectors. His reply also hints that LP does not like parliamentary government. Thumbs down for me.
Another is that he sees the LP's choice in Noynoy as a "magic potion," like what many supporters say. "Don't fault Noynoy for being the son of heroes." No, we're not faulting him, Noynoy himself is using his parents as his claim to fame. LP seems also too focused on central leadership, looking for too much inspiration from him than building it themselves. It's still a politics of personality. Even Noynoy's long years in office as a fiscalizer does not prove his capabilities. "Fiscalizer" seems to me something like a "blocker," and it seems for me a stumbling block to good progress.
"Sobra-sobra na sa batas ang Pinas." Nope. Would Dr. Bautista have said this before the Anti-Human Trafficking Law? In fact, we lacked this law addressing prostitution for decades. The RH Bill and population policy is an example of law we lack. For me, hindi sobra-sobra or kulang-kulang batas ng Pinas. They just aimed the laws at the wrong targets. Policy still remains a key tool in implementing change for the better. It's a matter of dagdag-bawas of laws and revising some, not dagdag lang or bawas lang.
While Dr. Bautista recognizes the culture of impunity, it's also because of the culture of the people. The LP are too intent on pleasing the people and not blaming them for the problems of the country. The culture of laziness is still an important stumbling block in Philippine culture. Dr. Bautista's not acknowledging this is a disappointment.
He does have good points on the RH Bill though. I agree, the free enterprise issue is the big IF in the bill. Perhaps it could be amended into incentives instead of punishments. But even though, I am still for passing it, and it can be amended later anyway.
Good talk, although this does not convince me enough to choose LP candidates. Thanks.
Dr Martin Bautista boasts of the lack of rumors or accusations of corruption against Noynoy Aquino, until he was made aware by the host Arnel Edrinal that this is due to the fact that Noynoy, being politically insignificant then, does not pose as a threat to his fellow politicians, as more attention is directed to the other more threatening political contenders. This became more evident as accusations against Noynoy eventually did surface since he started running for higher office.
Dr Martin Bautista, as with other Noynoy supporters, do not see that receiving salary from taxpayers and not being effective at anything even as self-proclaimed "fiscalizer" (in an effort to redefine and justify his presence in the Senate) is by itself a kind of corruption. Noynoy is happy receiving salary without much work he need not have to do anything else.
Dr Martin Bautista's comparison also fails as Ninoy's lack of bills are compensated by his accomplishments outside the Senate, which culminated in an ultimate sacrifice, as opposed to Noynoy who, because of a lack of these other or similar accomplishments is, in fact, what draws people into merely considering the minimum from Noynoy, which is doing his main job of legislating for the country.
"Sobra-sobra na sa batas ang Pinas." Nope. Would Dr. Bautista have said this before the Anti-Human Trafficking Law? In fact, we lacked this law addressing prostitution for decades. The RH Bill and population policy is an example of law we lack. For me, hindi sobra-sobra or kulang-kulang batas ng Pinas. They just aimed the laws at the wrong targets. Policy still remains a key tool in implementing change for the better. It's a matter of dagdag-bawas of laws and revising some, not dagdag lang or bawas lang.
I agree. Dr Martin Bautista also excuses Noynoy's inability to pass bills by directing our attention to the need to rather "implement" laws. Here, he introduces a false dichotomy. I think enforcing laws or lack thereof should not prevent legislators from amending said laws to be more effective, neither should they wait for all laws to be followed to the letter before they either proceed on refining any of them or introduce others. I'm afraid this excuse is just too disingenuous, as when times change or even as technology improves for example, there would be need for new laws (e.g. laws against cyber-crimes, sex videos, etc. notorious in the Philippines)
Hi Chino and Asiawest, thanks for listening to the broadcast. Your comments are very much welcome as they add insights to the interview with Dr. Bautista..
Thanks.
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