Important Issues for the 2010 Philippine Elections

While the US Presidential Elections are already heating up with caucuses, debates, and rallies everywhere, the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections is also starting to get serious attention on the internet via the Filipino blogosphere.

Right now, the media has given a lot of focus on the selection of candidates, of both the administration and the opposition (not to mention the many others in between). Meanwhile, Janette Toral has tagged several bloggers to tackle the issues they feel should be included in the 2010 Agenda.

Off the top of my head, I can easily point out several, no, many issues that should be in the agenda of the candidates. But I feel like there are some that should be given more attention. Right now, here’s my short list:

1. Environment
2. Social Welfare and Health Care
3. Local Government Code and IRA
4. Electoral System
5. Legalization of Divorce
6. Human Rights, the Justice System, and Women and Gay Rights
7. Philippine Arts and Entertainment
8. Charter Change and Federalism
9. Education
10. Science and Technology Research and Development

Some are more specific than others, I know. I will be blogging more about these things in the coming days. And I will try to be as specific and insightful as possible. I have already written some thoughts on the topics I have listed, but expect me to write more, ask more, and pry more about these topics.

4 Responses to “Important Issues for the 2010 Philippine Elections”

1. Janette Toral says:

   January 30, 2008 at 1:09 am

   Hi Ria. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m intrigued on #3 and #8. Look forward in reading more about it.
2. -'rancel'- says:

   February 8, 2008 at 3:29 am

   yeah…i think these politicians should not center more on how to make a good impression for their candidacy in the 2010 elections…i think they should give more attention to the things that you have enumerated as what Angara said “I think it’s too early to mess up and confuse the public. It’s all right for them to prepare for their candidacy individually. But to stir up public attention and consciousness about 2010 is bit too early,”
3. Anoi says:

   November 15, 2008 at 10:38 pm

   I am more interested in your no. 3 agenda list. As you can see, our local government offices are higly politicized and the bureaucracy is too strong specifically in the income-generating departments. Before, under PD 464, the local city assessor is under the supervision of the department of finance and the appointment of the head of the department is appointed by the president, but now, since the local chief executive is the appointing authority in all the local government departments, and since the each local government has the power to make tax adjustment in real estate property tax independently, then the UNIFORMITY in the application of tax rates is no longer followed. Unlike before when it is under the dept. of finance, the department is the only one mandating when it comes to local taxation rates. Moreso, the Local City Assessor’s Office is continously loosing its credibility and integrity because of politics in the local level. No matter how much all city assessor’s wants to make correction and implement stricter policies in terms mandates, who can say “NO” to these politicians who gives favors to their political friends and allies? And another thing is that, if in case you disobey them, then be ready to be transferred and on FLOATING status by the next day. The main reason why they don’t appoint the department heads to their designated positions based on the local Govt. code. They only appoint them as Local Govet. Department Heads. Also, they appoint only whom they think who will follow them by hook or by crook. They don’t review the qualifications of the rank and files who has better qualifications than the one they appoint. I knew for a fact that only a legislation can correct the Local government code in terms of returning back the appointment and supervision of the LOCAL CITY ASSESSOR to the Department of Finance. And i think that there is a bill passed with regards to this situation but did not pursue. By the way, Hope you can take time sending me the details of such bill if ever you know the details.
4. Ramon Guico says:

   January 6, 2010 at 6:01 pm

   I enjoyed reading your post.Well,this coming election,hoped for a clean and honest election.The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.So,vote wisely!.
   -Looking forward to your next post.