http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/12508

http://antipinoy.com/15th-philippine-senate-same-o-same-o/

Bangon Pilipinas TVC: Mosaic

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=368535826451

We have one of the worst traffic situations in the world. What we need is a nationwide zero-tolerance traffic code that will restore order in the streets.

And if congressmen from the House of Representative have local districts as their constituents, who do our senators REALLY represent?

In this video I explain why we should take the first steps towards having an EFFICIENT government and TRUE representation in both Houses of Legislation.

Here’s another by user  dzeyarr:

What can you do in order to speed-up the litigation process here in the Philippines? Because currently, a litigation can last up to 30 years! Imagine the agony of the prejudiced individual.

I agree with you, dzeyarr. While the decisions of our justices are often upright, there is much left to be said about the efficiency of our present justice system.

As a lawyer with 35 years of experience both here in the Philippines and in the United States, I have seen the different ways courts are run – some bad, some good. With this experience, I have come up with a proposal to introduce into our justice system a MODIFIED TRIAL SYSTEM that will essentially speed up the trial process and deliver timely justice for everyone.

In a nutshell, there are 3 major points to the modified trial system.

The 1^st is that judges will be divided between 2 distinct roles: a pre-trial judge and a trial judge. The pre-trial judge will oversee the case as to which issues contending parties agree too. If the matter can be settled at the pre-trial stage, then the case is over and everyone walks away satisfied. In the event that certain issues cannot be reconciled between the parties, then these issues are carried over to the trial judge who will preside over the case hearing only the issues not agreed upon at the pre-trial stage.

The 2^nd major feature of the modified trial system is that trial cases will be carried out using ORAL ADVOCACY, which means cases must be argued orally in court as opposed to using written advocacy. The reason for this is that the tendency of written arguments and pleadings to TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO PROCESS. If cases are argued in front of the judge on the spot, then the judge can decide right away. He/she does not have to go through pages and pages of written word. Written advocacy will not be eliminated but rather used more prominently in appellate proceedings.

The 3^rd feature is that cases will be tried ONE CASE AT A TIME. Since trials will be utilizing on-the-spot oral advocacy, a judge can listen to the arguments and decide right away on the case. Another benefit to this is that judges can focus their attention to one case only and not be distracted with details from other cases. This way, a trial case can be decided on and resolved as quickly as within one day.

I have submitted this proposal to former Chief Justice Davide during his term. He gave his endorsement to my proposal. A pilot project has been approved to divide judges between pre-trial and trial judges. But because of compounding events and issues, the project was put on hold.

If elected senator, this will be part of my prioritized legislative agenda. It will be introduced first as an OPTION so that the people can see for themselves the differences between the present system and the modified one. God willing, they will find justice delivered more timely through this and institute it in a more permanent arrangement.

As a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, I share my thoughts on the reasons why and how the 3rd item of my legislative agenda will help make the Philippine justice system more efficient.

Do you think the boldness of our lawmakers has something to do with the people’s indifference to Philippine politics? Where do you think this will lead us?  – Vanni (politicalarena.com user)

Thank you Vanni for this insightful question.

By  ‘boldness’ I assume you refer to the behavior of some lawmakers in both houses of legislature, that is, appearing to act only for their own interests and not of their constituency. (This actually brings up a good question especially for the Senate as to WHO is the specific constituency each of these senators represent?)

It is my belief that that kind of behavior is largely in part to the lack of awareness of the common Filipino when it comes to the whole practice and exercise of legislation. Whether it is because of a lack of information and education, and/or an attitude of indifference to the issues, the result is that very few genuine citizens’ voices are raised and heard. Sadly, most of the voices heard in these halls of legislation are that of interest groups and lobbies not necessarily representative of the common man.

All of us are looking for positive change in our country and the way politics are done. Yes, that has a lot to do with choosing the people who will be placed into these offices. But that is only HALF of the whole picture.

Let me put it this way, politics is a lot like a play or a movie performed and shown in a theater. The actors on stage perform for an audience and it is the audience as a group that has the final word on whether the show is a hit or not. You could have the best actors and the best directors but if no one goes to watch it, then the show is a failure. On the other hand, it is very likely that a very bad movie can be a success just because a lot of people watched it.

Politics is a stage play.

But who is watching?

The point I am making is that politics and politicians need an audience and that audience is YOU and each and every Filipino citizen. An audience member can choose to buy a ticket for the shows or movies to watch in much as the same way you choose who to vote for. But buying a ticket will not get you anywhere unless you go and watch it. In that same way, each Filipino must WATCH the men and women who have been elected into these offices – from the local to the national level.

How do you watch? By keeping tabs on the issues, reading up on current events and writing congressmen & senators telling them what you think and what your stand is. Politicians need to know they are being watched, not just by a few people but by each and every citizen. That is after all, the definition of true citizenship – taking an active part in the dealings and concerns of the state.

Tired of the same old thing in politics?

Be part of the change

you want to see!

How can you give better protection to our fellow Filipinos who work overseas, now that there are a lot of accidents, issues and crisis happening in other countries?

To ensure the welfare and protection of every OFW, I intend to introduce as senator a NO FAULT LIABILITY CLAUSE to the contracts of every OFW.

This clause stipulates that should something happen to an OFW while abroad (injury or even death for any cause or reason), the employer is mandated to pay (immediately and with no questions asked) the worker or his/her family a minimum of PhP 250,000 (the amount could go higher depending on the status and expertise level of the worker).

This measure is to send a message to all foreign employers abroad that the welfare of the OFWs they hire are also their responsibility and that they should see to their safety and well-being; to do otherwise would cost them significantly.

The No Fault Liability Clause is part of my legislative agenda to RAISE THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE by significantly increasing the minimum amount payable for WRONGFUL DEATH DAMAGES from the present PhP 50,000 (fifty thousand pesos) to at least PhP 500,000 (five hundred thousand Pesos).

To know more, you can view my video on the topic here.

What will you do to stop corruption? How can you say that ur (sic) not all corrupt?

As the lawyer who represented Jun Lozada for the NBN-ZTE scandal, I have come to see firsthand why it is difficult and dangerous for people to stand up and speak out against corrupt deals and officials.

When Jun Lozada could no longer stand keeping quiet about the gross overpricing of the NBN-ZTE contract and decided to go public and tell all he knows about the anomalies regarding the deal, his life was put in grave danger. If not for the prudent and timely protection of family and concerned citizens, he would have most likely have been kidnapped and disappeared without a trace.

Today, Jun Lozada has no means of livelihood. He and his family are being sustained with the help of the good people at La Salle Greenhills. With no means to support himself and his family, and with their safety uncertain, there is little wonder why very few people would have the courage to speak against the corruption that they see. That fear is what allows corrupt officers and individuals to continue their wrongdoing.

If I have the opportunity to serve in the Senate, the first item in my legislative agenda I will push for is the introduction of a WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAW.

Today there is a very narrow category of witnesses who can avail government protection. People involved in questionnable deals who wish to correct the wrong they have done (like in the case of Jun Lozada) are NOT eligible for state protection.

They are still subject to prosecution which, when you add the threats to their lives and loss of livelihood, becomes a bigger DISINCENTIVE to become a witness against bigger corrupt officials.

I believe the people who have the best information to bring down a corrupt official are the ones deeply involved with them (usually because of fear and coercion). If we present a viable alternative to these potential witnesses and provide reasonable protection for them and their families, we will have a more successful prosecution against these corrupt people.

And when corrupt officials become aware that ANYONE THEY DEAL WITH can become a witness against them and will not be afraid of their intimidation tactics, then the incentive to commit graft in the government will be significantly lessened.

To know more, please view my video on this topic. http://reyprincesa4senator.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/legislative-agenda-item-1-whistleblower-protection-law/

To answer your 2nd question on how I can say I am not corrupt, the quick answer to that is that I owe no favors to speacial interests (either in private or public office). I lead a modest lifestyle and have no intentions of enriching myself in public office.

These, of course, are statements that are said by anyone. But if you ask anyone who has worked with me, they can tell you honestly, that that is the truth. And if I am elected Senator, I will make all my transactions public and that anyone can request reports to ensure that me dealings are all above board.