I am an avid viewer of news programs. Due to the hectic class schedule that I have this summer, I only get the chance to watch news programs like Bandila and 24 which airs right after the primetime block. Recently, I and my dormitory buddies here in Molave are checking this Bandila Hot Seat portion of the program.

The Bandila Hot Seat portion works as follows: they invite their viewers to chip in questions through Facebook and Twitter live. They ask these questions live from the candidate. A couple of days ago, Bandila started inviting the presidentiables on the hot seat.

Tonight, one of the top bets to win the President seat this coming elections will be put in the Hot Seat beside news anchors Ces Drilon and Henry Omaga-Diaz. Checking the Bandila Facebook Fanpage right now, there are already lots of questions regarding the recent controversies that Manny Villar is facing  – some maybe part of election propaganda and some rose when he formally expressed his intention to run for presidency. And being the political animal that I am, it would be interesting to note how the trend of questions will be and how the questions will be chosen from a pool of Noynoy loyalists and Manny Villar supporters in Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. This is also my first time to ask questions at the Facebook Fanpage as well as make a coverage of this Bandila Hot Seat portion of the news program.

I am actually curious in Manny Villar response to C-5 controversy as it is for sure to be one of the questions to be thrown to him tonight.

First question comes from yours truly, asking Villar his concrete plans in eradicating poverty in the Philippines.

He said that a lot of nations around us have finally made steps to eradicate poverty and that the Philippines needs to start working – and start thinking that there is He then said that his main focus is on agriculture as almost half of the people experiencing poverty are those who are part of this sector. He also stressed on creating jobs and giving incentives to labor-intensive companies. He believes that with these two things, “malayo na ang mararating ng bansa sa pagtapos ng kahirapan.”

Ces Drilon followed up regarding agriculture. Villar said that we are losing a lot of efforts and money in NFA therefore, if we stop exporting rice, we save and focus on repairing irrigation systems, organize milling and poor-service facilities, we save around 5 to 10% with it alone.

The next question came from a Moslem asking Villar’s take on peace in Moro homeland.

MV: “Itaas ang kita nila and develop entrepreneurial skills kasi marami sa kanila ang gusting magsarili. Also, ‘yung level of education and health ay sobrang baba kaya siguro kailangang diretsuhin na iyan ng national government, then continue negotiations with them and strengthen the AFP.”

Omaga-Diaz followed up on Abu Sayyaf and MILF on which Villar said, “…Hiwalay ang MILF, hiwalay ang Abu Sayyaf pero kung sinoman ang lumalabag sa batas, dapat ‘yang hulihin. Hindi natin i-totolerate ‘yan kaya naman kasabay na ginagawa ng mga nabanggit kanina ay kailangang palakasin ang AFP para hindi na mangangailangan ng private armies at ma-disarmor na ang mga ‘yan.”

The next question is: What are your plans if you don’t win?

Magtatayo ng foundation. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang ambition kong ‘yan na to tapusin ang kahirapan. Lahat ng pagtulong papalakihin. Dedevote my life for this. Papalakihin ang ambition na to… I will not stop in the advocacy of stopping poverty. Kaya naman, klelangan ng creativity and funds especially OFW.

Follow-up if he’s ready to lose and if he will retire in politics. He said he’ll end his three year term as senator and devote excess time in foundation. He will also continue in extending help using the helplines he created. He also admits he’s prepared whether he wins or loses and stresses on the point that the president should be very much ready to be the leader of the country. Day 1, right on, he has to manage and run the country.

Diaz asked what will he do in his first one hundred days.

Unang-una, syempre meetingin mo lahat then iuwi mo lahat ng OFW na gusto na makauwi dahil ang raming naghihintay eh. Kailangan sa first 100 days maimpress mo ang kababayan at mainspire mo sila…. baka nga hindi ka pa umuupo pinaplano mo na ‘yan eh.

Regarding surveys, he said that he values surveys a lot but there has to be a lot of considerations to be made – local organization, election day machinery and what people think would be the best for the country – people will think who is competent enough to lead the country; he is very confident that this is his advantage.

Someone asked him about his overspending in advertisements. He clarified that he has not yet exceeded the limit and that even other candidates had spent a lot for their advertisements. He also stressed that, At least ako, wala ako utang na loob kanino man. Kaya ‘yung repormang kailangan magagawa ko. Yung iba kasi humihingi ng pondo sa ibang interes at malamang hihingi ng kapalit ang iba.”

Ces Drilon butted in and asked regarding pagbawi ng ginastos sa kampanya.

Magdidivest ako. Wala na ako dapat kumpanya. Dapat ako maging maingat diyan kasi I can be suspected and his credibility is at stake. Ang pagtulong ay matagal ko nang ginagawa but its best to help people permanently. Kapag naiangat ko ang ekonomiya, permanente iyan, marami ako matutulungan, milyun-milyo ‘yan.

Sidenote: Nag-fafalter si Ces Drilon and she keeps on asking questions giving less time for people who asked through Twitter, Facebook chance to throw questions at MV. I’m beginning to think her inclination is Noynoy. Not surprised at all.

Diaz followed up: Political analysts say na ang labis na paggastos sa ads ang nakapagpababa ng rating.

That is why I call on for the media to be fair in reporting. Kasi ako lang ang nakikita sa aking ginagastos. May iba na nag-exceed din naman ng limit pero ako lang ang nababanggit regarding these accusations. INUULIT KO, hindi ko babawiin iyan miski piso.

Question if he will jail Arroyo if he wins as president.

DEFINITELY. Kung masentensyahan, at kung sinoman ang mapatunayang nagkasala ay implementahan ng batas. Kung ano ang batas, ipapatupad ko ‘yan ng pantay-pantay….

Ces Drilon butted in again na dati hindi niyo kasi sinasabi ng diretsahan. Wow. For a host, I think her side comments are pretty off. Villar said, Iyan ang sinasabi ko iba palagi ang interpretation at spin ng media.He backs this up  by saying, “In fact naipakita ko na na kaya kong humabol sa isang presidente. I have the demonstrated the capacity to even go after the president!”

He was also asked regarding his mother’s appearance in the commerical.

Unang una. Liliwanagin ko lang. Hindi ko sinasabi na iboto niyo ako dahil sa nanay ko, di ako katulad ng iba na ganun. Maganda ang track record. Karanasan ang maganda. Liderato. Kahit naman sinong ina at makitang pinupukpok ang kanyang anak araw-araw, mapapaiyak ka din naman. Hindi na kasi nakakakita ang nanay ko and ung araw araw na halos na spin ng media ay gusto niya ipahayag ang mararamdaman. Matagal na ‘yan eh at laban ako diyan. She volunteered saying, ‘Wala ba akong magagawa diyan, alam ko naman kasing hindi ikaw ‘yan eh.”

Diaz said Villar stressed on complaining about media and asks him if he think it’s actually the reason why his ratings are dwindling. MV said not really but he’s just complaining about the recent biased reporting. He also stressed that his opponent’s technique is to ask him technical questions which his corporate lawyers can answer for him. This takes away lots of time that instead of focusing on the campaign and on the note: ANO BA ANG KAKAYAHAN NG ISANG PRESIDENTIABLE NA MAMUNO SA ISANG BANSA? He added, “Yun ang tanong dito, eh.”

Towards the end, he was asked if is it true that he’s already desperate to win the elections that he is resorting to pagpapaawa and black propaganda.

AKO ANG NALILIGO SA BLACK PROPAGANDA! Nakakalungkot yan kasi tingin ko victim ako. Galing sa akin kunwari [black propaganda], truth na daw un. Pero ung araw araw na ibinabato sa akin, hindi? One-sided yan masyado.Hindi daw ako mahirap – hindi black propaganda? Pero ung kay Noynoy di nio siya hinhingian ng side pano kung totoo ung report?

Villar thinks that the psychological report seems true.

But then yet again, Ces Drilon retorted, “Parang pong ‘yung pirma peke, eh. At ‘yung mismong pumirma – hindi inamin.”

Villar then said it’s very unethical to disclose who your patients are and this is probably the reason for the denial. He also said that regarding these issues about Noynoy, he doesn’t get interviewed much but when it comes to Villar issues, ina-araw-araw siya.

Lastly, he defended that his SAL is consistent with what he disclosed in ANC. He explained some business terms and how people confuse him and his company, and the withholding company.

Reaction:

Somehow, Manny Villar has proved to me he is very credible. Likewise, he was the only presidentiable I perceived to be most focused and most prepared to become the president.This hot seat is intense but he answered questions directly, straight on and with composure. It is also good to note that he is more focused on what he can do, his experiences as well as his achievements – he will win because he earned it and deserved it not because he’s popular.

Add to that, I think he has genuine concern for the poor people. He gives me the image that he’s really willing to help and his ambition to eradicate poverty is something we should look out for when he wins the Presidency.

At a certain extent, I agree when it comes to media being biased in reporting. Whenever there are issues regarding Noynoy, they tend to be so one-sided and if its about Villar, they keep on asking him time and time again. However, the media may have huge impact on the voting public but it is not the sole reason why Villar’s ratings are going down.

I think he’s an idealist but he’s also very practical. He also gives me the impression that he has excellent management skills which a president should know of. I am still weighing things but I am supporting Gibo Teodoro and Manny Villar as of the moment.

If you want to watch the Bandila Hot Seat: Manny Villar, here are the videos:

Note: Please bear with my grammatical errors as I was posting this while watching the Bandila episode last night.