Intelligence Report – Election Watch 2016 – Mar Roxas

Last Update: Feb 15, 2016 (Latest updates in GREEN.  Previous updates in BLUE. )

Image Edited from Wikipedia

A compilation of articles, statements, and events of the top candidates minus Binay because he deserves no attention. Please visit regularly for updates (this is by no means comprehensive – it gets updated as I have time – and I will do my best each gets updated at the same time for fairness).

If a new article proves another article is false or misinformed – it will be deleted with an addendum in the new link. Unconfirmed sources that seem credible will be noted (please comment if you find inconsistencies).

This was created in the effort to make an informed vote. I’m still undecided. And with the nature of Philippine politics, I believe you should be too. Because who knows, some fucker might slip and say they believe Marcos was the best president on the last day. Then shit, they’ve lost my vote automatically.

THIS IS MEANT TO BE READ WITH ALL MY OTHER POSTS ABOUT THE OTHER CANDIDATES  (ROXAS, SANTIAGO, DUTERTE). IF YOU WILL USE THIS FOR YOUR AGENDA RATHER THAN INFORMED COMPARISON, PLEASE LEAVE.

Please leave the comments as civil as possible and avoid campaigning. Have a relevant and reliable link/source? Please share so I can update the list.

NAME: Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas
AGE: 58
CURRENT OCCUPATION: DILG Secretary
PARTY: Liberal Party
RUNNING MATE: Leni Robredo

Track Record and Background:

(some info from marroxas.com – awards and distinctions counter-checked with articles)

• Studied at Ateneo and University of Pennsylvania (RAPPLER)
• Congressman First District of Capiz 1993-2000 (Three Consecutive Terms)
  • Author of Fair Education Act of 1995 (allowed fair distribution of budgets based on student ratios)
  • Authors Eco-zone laws and amendments to investment codes (1999)
  • Author of Public Employment Service Act of 2000 (created Public Employment Service Office which facilitates job opportunities within regions)
  • House Majority Floor Leader (1998-2000)
• January 1996 – World Economic Forum recognises him as Global Leader of Tomorrow
• December 1 1999 – Asiaweek Magazine – “Political Leader of the New Millennium” (Note: Asiaweek asked Raissa Robles to choose a person for this “distinction)
• Trade Secretary 2000-2003 (Appointed during GMA presidency)
  • 2000-2003 helped draft the strategy for the BPO Industry
  • Spearheads PC’s for Public Schools (DTI Website – Project Exists – Unconfirmed on level of involvement)
• January 2002 – Mar becomes Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow
• Senator – 2004-2010
  • Principal Author of the Magna Carta for MSME’s
  • Author Cheaper Medicines Act
  • Principal Author Tax Code Amendment (removal of tax for minimum wage, night time differential, etc)
• 2007 – Carlos Palanca Leadership Award
• President Liberal Party – 2007
• Transport Secretary 2011-2012
  • LRT Extensions
• DILG Secretary 2012-onwards
• January 2015 – Coordinator Pope Francis Visit 

Political Allegiances (Through The Years):

• (Note: The simplest way to do this was to look at their track record and party. Allegiances are therefore defined as association during election campaigns and possible endorsements/comments about other political figures (e.g. if they ran under the same party/ticket) as always this is not a definitive list but one that is added over time and please feel free to comment for noteable additions) 
• Mar resigns as Secretary of Finance in 2000 amidst Erap’s corruption scandals. (Star) 
• 2004 – Mar runs under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo multi-party ticket, K4 (Philippine Star)
  • • Others in K4 include: Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Mar Roxas, Dick Gordon, Lito Lapid, Miriam Santiago
• 2010 – Joins LP slate as VP candidate (CODE NGO)
  • Senatorial Slate: “TG” Guingona III, Risa Hontiveros, Alexander Lacson, Yasmin Lao, General Danny Lim, Serge Osmena, Ralph Recto, Sonia Roco
• 2016 – Running under LP (Philippine Star)
  • Senatorial Slate: Frank Drilon, Ping Lacson, Joel Villanueva, Ralph Recto,  “TG” Guingona III, Leila de Lima, “Kiko” Pangilinan, Jericho Petilla, Mark Lapid, Cresente Paez, Risa Hontiveros, Nariman Ambolodto (CNN Philippines – October 13)

Controversies and Responses Connected to Track Record/Background:

• On Dec 13, 2015 – Mayor Duterte claims that it is a “myth” that Roxas graduated from Wharton and says he will slap Mar if he sees him during campaigning – in reply Mar says “I dare you, slap me” (Rappler)
  • Escalation #1  – Duterte says he will take the slap match to Araneta Cubao. Mar in reply says:“Gawin mo na lang kung anong gusto mong gawin. At sampalan? Bakit pa sampalan, pambabae ‘yan, suntukan na lang, ‘di ba? Simpleng-simple lang ito,” (Inquirer) – In other interviews gives his address.
  • Escalation #2 – December 14 – Duterte says “Barilan na lang. Takot mamatay ang mga mayayayaman. Anong kinatatakutan ko?” (CNN Philippines)
  • On Dec 16 – Former President, Fidel V. Ramos, comments on the situation by saying “Slapping each other, fighting each other will not make progress… The Philipine president must be world class. We are no longer in the period of Antonio Luna, Aguinaldo at Bonifacio,” (GMA News
  • Reported December 17 by Inquirer – Mar Roxas says: “Mayor Digong, let’s level up. Our people deserve better. This word war, the mudslinging and lies have no place in our political discourse. What is your plan? What is our plan? What have you done? What have we done? Those are the only things that matter so that our countrymen can choose what is right.”
    
  • On December 17, Rappler quotes the Wharton Media Relations director: “The word ‘graduate’ and ‘alumnus’ are synonymous. Wharton offers both undergraduate and MBA degrees. Mr. Roxas received his undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree is a pre-requisite for admission to nearly all accredited graduate schools including those that bestow an MBA,”
• May 20, 2012 – Asian Peasant Coalition urges PNoy to stop MRT-7 project – claims it will only benefit the Cojuangco Family and Mar Roxas (who allegedly has conflict of interest due to ownership of the properties involved) and the Filipino people will be the one dealing with the debt (P-Noy urged to stop Danding’s MRT-7 project; DMCI Holdings did not disclose complete and accurate material info, says farmers [Philippines]>
  • Response: unknown – Note: based on my research Mar was also DOTC head and some period of time around this deal. All of the projects were suspended for “further study” until it was later resumed by Abaya.
• April 2014 – Roxas is suspended (for two months) from Wack Wack Golf and Country Club for allegedly berating and cursing staff after allegedly refusing to pay 5100php for his guest. (Rappler)
  • Roxas accedes to the decision but denies that he cursed at employees. He says: “I do not consider myself above any law, rule or regulation,” and furthermore “It was not my intention to hurt or insult anyone, and I did not curse at anyone either,”
• July 2015 – Critics claim that Mar should be held liable for MRT3 “mess” since he was DOTC Secretary at the time . A source from the DOTC when asked about MVP group taking over operations said: “Ang sabi ni PNoy at Mar, papayamanin pa ba natin sila [President Aquino and Roxas said, ‘Why do we have to make them rich’]?” (Manila Times)
  • Response: “No comment”. “It’s the Ombudsman’s decision not mine.” (Manila Standard)
• Controversy during Yolanda response and rehab around leaked video where he says: “You’re a Romualdez, the President is an Aquino” (Rappler)
  • Response: Called it “edited” and misleading (Rappler released the full transcript here)
• Critics claim Yolanda funds mismanaged by administration and indirectly/directly Mar as DILG Secretary
  • Reporters ask about Emergency Shelter Assistance
    • Response: “What agency is supposed to (know the problems)” – Reporter says DSWD. Roxas replies: “What is my agency?” (Inquirer)
• Startup Entrepreneur, inexplicitly claims that Mar Roxas has stake in LTO license plate supplier – compares the quick delivery during APEC (the original provider) versus the allegedly Roxas-owned supplier who has been delayed (Note: this is unconfirmed and the original facebook post has been deleted)
  • Response: unknown

Election and Party-related Controversies/Issues and Responses:

• In 2010, there were some discrepancies in election funding, the Liberal Party reported to receive on 157.91M in donations while spending 158.10M on campaigns. (PCIJ)
  • Response: unknown
• The Removal of Bureau of Customs Commissioner (Sevilla) in favour of a new BOC head (Lina) was seen as a political move of the administration (and ruling party) to gain favor from INC in preparation for the elections (Rappler)
  • Response: unknown
  • Note: Based on my research there is a clear conflict of interest with Lina who owns several logistics companies and also has alleged stakes in BOC systems (Info on current case against Lina)
• March 2015 – the administration (and LP) is criticized by eco-activitists – the activists claim LP/admininistration is protecting mining firms (Inquirer)
  • Response: Unknown
• During Birthday Celebration of Liberal Party congressman – Dancers “twerk” and dry hump men on stage in front of children (Full Video  – note I used this video not because of the commentary but because it was one of the only ones with all the clips spliced)
  • Response: Quotes lifted from Interaksyon.
    • He was at the event BUT according to him “nasa ibang bahagi ako ng (I was in another part of the) compound.” 
    • Interaksyon further reports: “He stressed he was not in the audience, a number of whom were called onstage to join the dancers in what angry netizens denounced as “lewd” routines, “at walang (and had no) sight lines sa nangyayari (to what was happening).”At the same time, Roxas warned “those who stand with us on the ‘Daang Matuwid’,” the administration’s “straight path” program of governance: “Iwaksi natin ang ganitong klaseng mga gimik, lalo pa’t nakakabastos ito, at walang naitutulong sa pagtataas ng antas ng pampublikong diskurso (Let us reject these kinds of gimmicks, especially if they are degrading, and do not help in elevating the quality of public discourse).”He also declared: “Mariin kong ipinagbabawal sa anumang aspekto ng ating kampanya ang ganitong uri ng pagsasamantala sa kababaihan (I firmly ban from any aspect of my campaign this kind of exploitation of women).”
• November 12 – Jokingly Imitates Bisayan Accent During Rally / Gathering. Causes social media outrage from some Bisayans. <Facebook Post of Someone On Site>
  

“Isteep by Isteep”

• • Response: Personal response unknown 
    • Mar Roxas Website: they posted a link of a response from Leah Navarro (In Defense of My Candidate)
• Several Liberal Party candidates say they will silently campaign for Duterte. LP Chair of the region says they will “cross party lines” to support Duterte (Inquirer)
  • Response: unknown
• During the Duterte, Pope cursing controversy – after critics on social media started bringing up Mar’s 2008 “PUTANG INA” outburst during an anti-chacha rally (click here for video) – Malacanang defends Mar by saying Mar was not addressing his cursing to any single person – which makes it different (GMA News – December 1)
• As of publishing, 2498 online petitioners ask Mar to be declared Persona non-grata in Davao City after his comments about the safety of Davao being a myth (change.org).
  • Duterte’s son replies: “The call to declare Mar Roxas as persona non grata I think is a valid sentiment of the people as we think that Mar mocked the achievements of the city for his personal political gains. But I see no compelling reason to declare him as such for to do so would put us on the same level as he is. His campaign is gasping and for us to afford him our attention would breathe life into a dying campaign,” (Philippine Star)
• Akbayan representatives point out that Filipino politicians including Roxas have outspent U.S. billionaire Donald Trump on political spending. 
  • Records show: Roxas spending 774M pesos or or 70M a month from January to November 2015 versus Donald Trump spending 94M pesos from January to July.
  • From Akbayan: “This is amazing, for a poor country. This is profoundly undemocratic and is surely going to result in massive corruption later so that the candidates can regain their investments while in office.” (Inquirer)
  • Response: unknown

Platform and Key Policies:

Focus: Anti-Corruption, Poverty Reduction, Following the #DaangMatuwid

• Agriculture
  • “the national government has always given and should always give due importance to the agricultural sector by developing the skills, knowledge, and equipment of its workers” (Mar Roxas Speech on Website)
  • several issues with Hacienda Luisita considering they are under the same party
• Bangsamoro Basic Law
  • “For the first time after a long, long time, we are faced with an agreement that could bring about lasting peace in Mindanao,” (Inquirer)
• West Philippine Sea
  • Administration response: Seeking assistance from the U.N. Repeatedly, China has said that it does not recognise the U.N.’s jurisdiction
• RH Law
  • Dec 2012 – Had an active role in pushing for RH Law – so much so that the Bishops said he would “pay” in 2016 (Inquirer)
• Freedom of Information Bill
  • Oct 2015 – “He will continue to support it if he wins”. Also said there are legitimate reasons why it hasn’t gone through. I quote: “You’re asking why it hasn’t passed. There are issues such as that that have not been resolved at the plenary level,” (Interaksyon)
• Anti-Corruption
  • Based on Rappler (July 2015): “His promise is simple: under a Roxas presidency, the Aquino administration’s good governance and anti-corruption programs, tagged “Daang Matuwid (Straight Path),” continues”
• Anti-Dynasty
  • 2012 – In Support – when asked when he said that the timeline depends on the House (GMA)
• Traffic
  • Nov 2015 – Provided two solutions (Rappler)
    • Get rid of bus franchises on major roads
    • Connectors for NLEX and SLEX + infrastructure projects
  • In August 2015 (GMA), he received the ire of citizens because he said “This is a problem in a sense that arises from prosperity. Because there is money. Because there is economic activity,” Many interpreted this as saying “traffic is a good thing because of our economy”

Response, Opinions or Comments on Various Issues:

• LAGLAG BALA
  • Response: ‘Kung nagpasok ka ng contraband sa airport, paano naging problema ng gobyerno ’yun?’ (Rappler)
•  INC
  • Response: “While all citizens have the right to be heard and to peaceful assembly, the exercise of these rights cannot impinge on the rights of others or cause inconvenience to anyone, especially for other Filipinos going home to rest and be with their families,” (Rappler)
• MAMASAPANO
  • Response: “Based on what I read, he (Aquino) as the commander in chief correctly and rightly authorized that (Zulkifli bin Hir) Marwan is a target. There is no liability with that. He gave the order to apprehend or to serve the warrant on Marwan and (Basit) Usman. Nothing wrong with that. Trabaho niya ‘yan. In fact, kung hindi niya ginawa ‘yan, may pananagutan ang Pangulo no’n,” (Inquirer)
    • He also later assigned blame/responsibility to Purisima
• “Participatory Democracy” – considered one of LP’s core principles (Rappler – December 13)
  • “I think that consensus building, or consultative or participative decision, making is the way to go, so you get the best ideas,” – Roxas
• Gay marriage and divorce 
  • Says he’s part of the 40% that don’t support it. (GMA News)

What they say about other candidates:

• Duterte
  • November 25, 2015 – when asked what hashtag best describes the other candidate he said #AsaPaMore (Inquirer)
  • Please see “word war” above
  • On Duterte’s comments about death penalty: “Hinding hindi ako papayag na summary justice. Ano ito, right is might? Kung sino lang may baril, siya ang mananaig? Eh bumalik na tayo sa dark ages noon, na kung saan yung makapangyarihan lang, yung may baril lang ang siyang iiral. Hindi tama iyon, lalabanan ko ito.” (Rappler – December 11)
  • February 1, 2016 – In response to a statement of Duterte calling him incompetent: “He used to say that I’m very capable, that I’m not corrupt. Now, he says all sorts of lies about me. So which is which, Digong,” Later calling the tirade a ‘desperate attempt to regain public attention and political mileage’ (Rappler)
• Santiago: Unknown

Known Endorsements:

• President Noy Noy Aquino (Rappler)
• Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Maricel Soriano, Karylle, Carla Abellana, James Yap, Ramon Bautista, Billy Crawford, Kris Lawrence and JayR  (Fast Forward Music Video)
• Mayor Guia Gomez of San Juan (Rappler) (It is noted that this endorsement is not “family”-wide)

Standing in Polls:

• February 15, 2016 – Placed in 3rd behind Duterte and Poe with 18%. (Philstar)
• December 7 – November SWS poll (privately funded by a Davao business man) puts him behind Duterte ahead of Santiago at 15%. (Inquirer)