CANDIDATE'S PROFILE II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUSIVE DATES OF. University of the Philippines (Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science)

Transcription

1 1. NAME Jejomar C. Binay 6. NICKNAME: Jojo 3. POLITICAL PARTY United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) 4. DATE OF BIRTH November 11, PLACE OF BIRTH: Paco, Manila 5 SEX Male Female 8. NAME OF SPOUSE: Elenita S. Binay, M.D. II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUSIVE DATES OF 9. LEVEL NAME OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE From To SCHOLARSHIP/ ACADEMIC HONORS RECEIVED ELEMENTARY SECONDARY COLLEGE Philippine Normal College, Training Department University of the Philippines Preparatory High School University of the Philippines (Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science) 1962 University of the Philippines (Bachelor of Laws) 1967 University of the Philippines (Master in National Security Administration) with honors Center for Research and Communication (now University of Asia and the Pacific, Strategic Business Economic Program) GRADUATE STUDIES Command and General Staff College, AFP (Non-Resident Command and General Staff Course-Class No. 3) Harvard University-John F. Kennedy School of Government (Senior Executive Fellows Program) University of the Philippines-School of Urban and Regional Planning (Diploma in Land Use Planning) Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa) Asian Institute of Management-Bali, Indonesia (Top Management Program) Joint Services Command and Staff College, AFP (Joint Services Command and Staff Course Regular Class No. 2) Philippine Christian University (Master in Management) University of the Philippines-Open University (Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources in Management) University of Makati (Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa) University of Mindanao (Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa) Page 1 of 4

2 1. NAME Jejomar C. Binay 6. NICKNAME: Jojo Isabela State University (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) 2010 Bataan Peninsula State University (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) University of Luzon (Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa) The Wharton School-University of Pennsylvania (Housing Finance in a Changing Global Environment) Sultan Kudarat State University (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) Wesleyan University-Philippines (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) III. A. Palawan State University (Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa) ACTION PLANS/PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ( ENUMERATE AT LEAST ONE TO THREE ACTIONS/PLANS AND NOT MORE THAN 150 WORDS PER SUBJECT) ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT: 1. Establish partnerships between government agencies (POEA, IACAT, etc.) with LGUs similar to the Pampanga-POEA MOA. 2. Strengthen the ial Task Force on Illegal Recruitment (PTFAIR) by providing its own funds. 3. Involve recruitment agencies in the formulation of policies and enjoin them to police their own ranks. 4. Address inefficiencies and gray areas in judicial process to ensure cases are expedited. 5. Amend Rules of Court to require the immediate presentation in court of illegal recruitment and human trafficking victims to ensure their cooperation B. HIGH PLACEMENT FEE: 1. Enforce the One-Month Placment Fee rule through regular POEA/DOLE inspection of recruitment agencies, incentives for applicants to report excessive placement fees. 2. Amend the Anti-Wire Tapping Act to allow applicants to record their conversation with representatives of recruitment agencies. 3. Provide more inspectors that will regularly check compliance of agencies. 4. Encourage potential migrants to go through correct process and government approved agencies. 5. Establish better grievance mechanism for reporting malpractices. C. INABILITY TO SAVE MONEY: 1. Intensify and institutionalize financial literacy drive for OFWs and families. 2. Encourage and provide training in entrepreneurship/investment. Train OFWs and their families how to manage a small businesses and provide them information on existing government programs. 3. Provide safer investment options to dissuade investing pyramiding and Ponzi schemes. 4. Strengthen capacity of concerned agencies to deal with financial scammers that prey on vulnerable sectors. 5. Tap the NAtional Anti-Poverty Council to provide information on various micro-finance partners throughout the country. 6. Enlist the help of non-government organizations and other socio-civic groups to teach OFW families the value of saving and channeling funds into more meaningful activities rather than splurging on luxuries. Page 2 of 4

3 1. NAME Jejomar C. Binay 6. NICKNAME: Jojo D. EMPLOYER ABUSE: 1. Establish and strengthen existing partnerships between government counterparts in other countries (police attache, public attorneys, prosecutors, etc.) to assist in the apprehension of abusive employers, rescue of OFW victims, prosecution of employers, and defense of OFWs. 2. Establish better diplomatic relations with host countries to enable negotiations on workers' welfare. 3. Encourage collaboration between embassy and non-government groups in host countries that can act as first-responders in cases of abuse. 4. Establish tie-ups between government offices here and in host countries focused on providing legal aid to victims of abuse. 5. Encourage OFWs to file and pursue cases against abusive employers by providing assistance (food, accommodation, and if possible, temporary employment). 6. Address the issue of undocumented migrant workers to minimize risk of Filipinos being employed under undesirable circumstances. 7. Provide livelihood assistance to encourage victims to pursue charges against abusive employers. E. F. G. H. I. RISK OF MASS LAY-OFF IN CASE OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL: 1. Create jobs through investments in major job-generating sectors as tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture, with overaching objective of making migration a choice rather than a necessity. Look for other options in other countries. 2. Improve reintegration program for returning OFWs. 3. Provide assistance to displaced OFWs through trainings in entrepreneurship, etc. 4. Ensure that over the long term the country remains less-reliant on OFW remittances to lessen our vulnerability to economic crises abroad. Channel micro-economic gains from remittances into social services that will benefit not only OFW families, but also the poor who lack access to basic services. 5. Provide avenues that will help families affected by mass lay-offs abroad cope with the loss of income, particularly in the difficulty posed by payments in education matriculation and home amortizations. CORRUPT AIRPORT OFFICIALS AND STAFF: 1. Installation of more CCTV cameras including in the tarmac area. Place CCTV cameras with microphone in critical areas like the x-ray area, immigration booth including the secondary inspection room, etc. 2. Have a single agency in charge of airport operations and security. 3. Thorough review of mandates, functions, and performance of all government agencies connected with airport management, especially those created through executive orders. 4. File cases against erring officials. Remove them immediately through administrative procedure. IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES: 1. Full support for raising the ceiling of dutiable value of balikbayan boxes that contain personal and household effects of OFWs. 2. Increase conditionally-free and duty-exempt importation for returning OFWs. BROKEN FAMILIES/CHILDREN INABILITY TO FINISH STUDIES: 1. Provide continuous counseling assistance to families. 2. Provide better support for single parents, e.g., additional tax exemptions. 3. Set up scholarship system for children of single parents. 4. Expand scholarship program nationwide so that each SUC will have 10 government scholars. TERRITORIAL CLAIM OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: 1. Strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with China and other claimants of West Philippine Sea territories. 2. Continue with the diplomatic approach./arbitration. 3. Prepare reservists to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 4. Require US support/reinforcement, through EDCA, in guarding Philippine territories in the West Philippine Sea. Page 3 of 4

4 1. NAME Jejomar C. Binay 6. NICKNAME: Jojo J. ESTABLISHMENT OF AND PROVIDING BUDGET FOR MIGRANT AND OVERSEAS RESOURCE CENTER: 1. Create dedicated Department of OFWs. POEA, OWWA, CFO will be attached agencies. 2. Assign social workers to Philippine diplomatic posts to complement POLO officers. 3. Institutionalization of budget for OFWs on death row (blood money policy). Page 4 of 4

5 1. NAME Miriam Defensor Santiago 6. NICKNAME: Miriam 3. POLITICAL PARTY People's Reform Party 4. DATE OF BIRTH June 15, PLACE OF BIRTH: La Paz, Iloilo 5 SEX Male Female 8. NAME OF SPOUSE: Narciso Y. Santiago Jr. II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUSIVE DATES OF 9. LEVEL NAME OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE From To SCHOLARSHIP/ ACADEMIC HONORS RECEIVED ELEMENTARY La Paz Elementary School Valedictorian SECONDARY Iloilo Provincial National High School Valedictorian; All-Around Girl Medallion Awardee COLLEGE Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, UP Iloilo Magna Cum Laude GRADUATE STUDIES Bachelor of Laws, UP Diliman Master of Arts in Religious Studies (without thesis), Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City Cum Laude 1996 Master of Laws (DeWitt Fellow), University of Michigan Doctor of Judicial Science (Barbour Scholar and DeWitt Fellow), University of Michigan Finished with "A" average Requirements (except publication), fulfilled in 6 months, with "A" average III. A. ACTION PLANS/PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ( ENUMERATE AT LEAST ONE TO THREE ACTIONS/PLANS AND NOT MORE THAN 150 WORDS PER SUBJECT) ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT: This is a law and order issue. The rules of engagement have to be crystal clear with respect to the responsibilities and liabilities of the recruiter and the rights and responsibilities of the worker. The regulator (the administrator) then applies the rules strictly with bias towards none. B. HIGH PLACEMENT FEE: This is where a compassionate government has a role to play. Most OFWs risk life, limb, a quiet family life, and loneliness because of lack of employment opportunities at home. Most prefer working at home than abroad if only they can find a decent, well-paying job at home. Rather than overburdening them with indecent placement fees, OFWs deserve to be assisted by their government by collecting minimal fees and by streamlining other requirements. Page 1 of 3

6 1. NAME Miriam Defensor Santiago 6. NICKNAME: Miriam B. In addition to high placement fees, OFWs face bureaucratic red tape in the processing of their overseas employment certificate. The number of steps needed to be able to work abroad should be reduced drastically. Moreover, in order to reduce the costs of obtaining the required permits by OFWs by going to Manila, the processing of documents should be deconcentrated to regional offices. C. INABILITY TO SAVE MONEY: Most OFWs are already heavily in debt even before they get deployed abroad because of the cost of travel and other related costs (processing of documents, recruitment fee for some). Hence, one way of helping OFWs save money is for the government to reduce the transactions costs of overseas employment. There is no clear, attractive government program to mobilize OFW remittances. Often times, savings are frittered away by investing in jeepneys and tricycles, which sometimes turn out to be poor investments. As an alternative, the government may float lowdenomination dollar infrastructure bonds which would give attractive payoff for OFWs. For example, the government may float a $10 billion infrastructure bond in multiple of $ In return for handsome interest rates, OFWs may then help the Philippine government finance its much needed infrastructures. It's a win-win situation. D. EMPLOYER ABUSE: Here the government has a role to play. They should carefully collate data on which countries and firms are good employers. They should then prioritize deployment to countries which treat foreign workers fairly. Recruiters with bad reputation should be blacklisted. As a medium-term goal, the Philippine government should gradually change the nature of overseas eployment --- from domestic helpers and blue collar workers to professionals (accountants, lawyers, doctors, nurses, chefs, etc.). E. RISK OF MASS LAY-OFF IN CASE OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL: With a slowing global economy, the rising violence in war-torn countries in the Middle East, and the contracting economies of oil exporting countries owing to plummeting oil prices, there is a real risk of mass layoffs in some countries importing foreign workers. The cost of repatriation should be the joint responsibility of the government, the OFW (though some form of insurance), and the recruiter. The assignment of responsibility and cost should be written in the employment contract. F. CORRUPT AIRPORT OFFICIALS AND STAFF: This is a law and order issue. The laws should be strictly enforced. With the power to hire comes the power to fire. Corrupt or incompetent officials should be removed from office. Period. No ifs and buts about it. G. IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES: There are laws and regulations for bringing in goods and personal effects for qualified returning residents. These laws, regulations and rules should be strictly enforced. Personal effects of returning residents are tax-exempt. Congress should review if Balikbayan boxes unaccompanied by returning residents should be taxed. Page 2 of 3

7 1. NAME Miriam Defensor Santiago 6. NICKNAME: Miriam H. BROKEN FAMILIES/CHILDREN INABILITY TO FINISH STUDIES: These are the unintended social costs of overseas employment. Government intervention in this area is perhaps inappropriate because it means interfering with family affairs. The responsibility of government is to provide an economic environment that would lead to the creation of a lot of opportunities for Filipinos to work at home, resulting in a strong likelihood that the family will be whole and children can be strictly monitored by their parents. As an immediate response, the government can provide counselling for troubled OFW families. I. TERRITORIAL CLAIM OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: This is a complicated issue with serious international political and economic implications. It is incumbent upon the of the Republic of the Philippines to keep the territorial integrity of the Republic intact. J. ESTABLISHMENT OF AND PROVIDING BUDGET FOR MIGRANT AND OVERSEAS RESOURCE CENTER: I think between the DOLE and the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are enough resources to manage and regulate overseas Filipino workers. In the meantime, the Government should continue to support all international organizations that protect migrant workers --- those within the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations. Page 3 of 3

8 1. NAME Rodrigo R. Duterte 6. NICKNAME: Rody 3. POLITICAL PARTY Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) 4. DATE OF BIRTH March 28, PLACE OF BIRTH: Maasin, Southern Leyte 5 SEX Male Female 8. NAME OF SPOUSE: N/A II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUSIVE DATES OF 9. LEVEL NAME OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE From To SCHOLARSHIP/ ACADEMIC HONORS RECEIVED ELEMENTARY SECONDARY COLLEGE Sta. Ana Elementary School Holy Cross of Digos Lyceum of the Philippines University 1956 Graduate 1966 Graduate 1968 Graduate GRADUATE STUDIES San Beda College 1972 LLB III. A. ACTION PLANS/PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ( ENUMERATE AT LEAST ONE TO THREE ACTIONS/PLANS AND NOT MORE THAN 150 WORDS PER SUBJECT) ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT: 1. Professionalization of services in the recruitment industry by enforcing a fair, acceptable code of conduct governing operation of all (private) recruitment agencies; 2. Institutionalization of accreditation (grading) system that will merit compliant agencies with a national certification of good standing or equivalent citation; 3. Standardization of employment contracts and recruitment fees acceptable to employers and employees; 4. Enforce compliance monitoring in closer collaboration with the LGUs; (e.g., a posted / circulated updated local register of compliant recruitment agencies in public assistance centers of city and barangay halls); 5. Intensify information sharing about the modus operandi of illegal recruiters especially in the communities and rural areas. B. HIGH PLACEMENT FEE: 1. Regulate and lessen placement fees especially for OFWs who are required to comply with numerous training courses that entail high costs (e.g. seafarers); 2. Given the general low awareness of placement fees, better information and dissemination programs shall be instituted to promote awareness and to empower OFWs to report exorbitant fees collected from them; 3. Ensure enforcement of existing goverment laws limiting the amount of placement fees and prosecute violating agencies and/or erring government enforcers. C. INABILITY TO SAVE MONEY: 1. As part of the government's reintegration program, we will move for the incorporation of a provision in the currently pending customers modernization that allows OFWs of good standing and who have met the required number of years abroad to bring home vehicles or equipment for commercial use at lesser costs; 2. Set up OFW reintegration programs that are specific to the needs of OFWs to empower them and facilitate their return in the Philippines; 3. Conduct financial literacy programs for the families of OFWs to educate them on how the cay manage remittances and convert them into investment. Page 1 of 3

9 1. NAME Rodrigo R. Duterte 6. NICKNAME: Rody D. EMPLOYER ABUSE: 1. Ensure bilateral cooperation and mutual judicial assistance with host countries through bilateral agreements that provide for stronger welfare protection; 2. Provide legal orientation for both the OFWs and their families, to inform them of their right while overseas especially to the first timers in overseas employment. cultural seminars shall also be conducted to allow the OFWs to learn about the locals of the country they will work in; 3. Offers counseling services, job referral, and temporary shelter for distressed OFWs; 4. OFWs will have their own health care program with special focus to OFWs who suffer abuse from their employers or those who come home with serious illnesses; 5. Operate fast and effective special assistance desks in ports of entry and exit as well as in every philippin embassy. E. RISK OF MASS LAY-OFF IN CASE OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL: 1.Preventive policy options (policy formulation toward maintaining acceptable levels of unemployment) A) Work sharing as an alternative to mass layoff; cutting back working hours of all workers rather than laying of some; B) Pro-active collective bargaining agreements; C) Enchanced public-private sector partnership in the area of enterpise investment - financial support /incentives to MSMEs (coops included) through lower/or free interest rates on enterprise loans. 2. Ameliorative Options (fall back / complementary support mechanism when preventive measures only partially work) A)Collective community social services B)Formation of job search groups - to facilitate job scouting / info access for job vacancies; C)Relocation assistance D)Membership / participation to mutual self-help associations (ie.coops) F. CORRUPT AIRPORT OFFICIALS AND STAFF: 1. Implement stronger security procedures at airport terminals (e.g. more closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to all station; additional police personnel, etc.) 2. Strict enforcement of command responsibility in all government offices. 3. Create a task force that will investigate illicit activities of state agents and enforce stronger sanctions againts those involves; if it is proven that a syndicate is behind the illicit activities, all officials and employees connected to CAAP [Civil Aviation Authority of the Phillipines] and aviation command, including porter services shall necessarily be relieved from duty. 4. Establish a quick response public emergency system in airport terminals to provide free legal assistance and guidance to passengers. 5. Intensify information campaign to provent innocent passengers from falling prey to the supposed corrupt schemes among airport officials and staff. G. IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES: 1. Sustain strict adherence to RA 9174: Balikbayan boxes classified as non-commercial worth USD2,000 and below, should be tax-andcustom duty-free; 2. Stricter control measure to prevent abuse of tax exemption; review and standardize procedures in determining contents and worth of boxex; 3. Revisit all existing policies on balikbayan boxes and ensure that the same should be favorable to all OFWs. Page 2 of 3

10 1. NAME Rodrigo R. Duterte 6. NICKNAME: Rody H. BROKEN FAMILIES/ CHILDREN'S INABILITY TO FINISH STUDIES: 1. Conduct awareness-raising seminars about the realities of migration and how they can cope with the challenges that may come with it; 2. Provide free counseling and assistance to help OFW families, with special assistance to minors and their education; 3. Long-term solution to this challenge is to provide the best possible environment for businesses to thrive in our own country and create opportunities and real choices here in the Philippines. I. TERRITORIAL CLAIM OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: 1. Sustain claim of sovereignty right over territories and resolve the dispute using legal action and diplomatic foreign relations; 2. Prioritize sustainable economic development initiatives on fisheries and other marine / aquatic resources including exploratory ventures (oil / gas), with maximum judicious budget dispensation. J. ESTABLISHMENT OF AND PROVIDING BUDGET FOR MIGRANT AND OVERSEAS RESOURCE CENTER: 1. Review of the OWWA mandate for possible complementaion with MRC's services; 2. Promotion on participation of overseas communities with high concentration of migrant workers; 3. MRC proposal and budget allocation for the inception of the MRC's. (office,staff,locale,promotion,operations); 4. Closer collaborative initiatives with identified host countries; 5. It is envisioned that every OFW should have an integrated ID that is automatically linked to the database and offices of POEA and OWWA to facilitate monitoring and information dissemination. Page 3 of 3

11 1. NAME Grace Poe 6. NICKNAME: Grace 3. POLITICAL PARTY Independent 4. DATE OF BIRTH September 3, PLACE OF BIRTH: Jaro, Iloilo 5 SEX Male Female 8. NAME OF SPOUSE: II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND 9. LEVEL NAME OF SCHOOL INCLUSIVE DATES OF ATTENDANCE From To SCHOLARSHIP/ ACADEMIC HONORS RECEIVED ELEMENTARY SECONDARY COLLEGE St. Paul College Pasig Assumption College University of the Philippines Boston College Leadership Award College Scholar GRADUATE STUDIES III. A. ACTION PLANS/PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ( ENUMERATE AT LEAST ONE TO THREE ACTIONS/PLANS AND NOT MORE THAN 150 WORDS PER SUBJECT) ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT: - Considering the dismal conviction of illegal recruiters despite the stiffer penalties provided for by our existing laws, we will focus on improving the implementation of all preventive illegal recruitment measures. - We will increase protection for OFWs before their departure and also while they are abroad, through provisions of free legal and social services. - Through the POEA, together with POEA and OWWA, we will also intensify public information programs on migration and distribute comprehensive, easy-to-use guidebooks that outline migrant workers' rights and a detailed step-by-step procedure on how to assert these rights. - We will further pursue the prosecution of those involved in illegal recruitment. Through the Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) [see EO 759 series of 2008] under the Office of the Vice ; we will post and publish photographs of top illegal recruiters in government offices and other strategic places. We will also push for the creation of special courts to speed up the hearing and resolution of illegal recruitment cases. B. HIGH PLACEMENT FEE: - We will study and pursue possibilities to standardize the "placement fees" charged by the recruitment agencies to prevent overchanging and solicitation of other unnecessary fees from the applicant. - There should be a strict monitoring and feedback system made available to the OFWs to report cases of abuse or overchanging by recruitment agencies. The resolution of the cases files should be swift and definitive, with no opportunity for corruption. C. INABILITY TO SAVE MONEY: - We will promote the financial wellness of out OFWs. We shall proactively encourage support, and incentivize domestic investment decisions of OFWs, especially in real estate, capital market, insurance investments, and other asset-building initiatives. - This should start with intensive capacity building and awareness campaigns for better personal financial management. - The government shall also build upon S.B or the Act Establishing a Credit Asssistance Program for Overseas Filipino Workers, and design programs to widely distribute the benefits of similar policies. Page 1 of 3

12 1. NAME Grace Poe 6. NICKNAME: Grace D. EMPLOYER ABUSE: - We shall enhance personnel and service availability in foreign jurisdictions, provide mobile consular services as often as possible, and survey jurisdictions with additional need for POLO-OWWA officers. - We shall strategically map out the presence of OFWs abroad, especially in cities distant from capitals, where embassies or consular offices are located. - In case of difficulty in establishing consular offices, in port cities in particular where many Filipino seafarers dock, we shall tap Honorary Consular Officers, or such upstanding Filipino Community (FilCom) members with a heart for service. All foreign posts shall also make 24- hour hotlines available and ensure that embassy officers are accessible to OFWs at all times. -We shall make the Assistance to National Fund (ATN) and Legal Assistance Fund (LAF) fully accessible to distressed Filipinos, especially in emergency cases. E. RISK OF MASS LAY-OFF IN CASE OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL: - We will protect the rights of OFWs to security of tenure with their employers and to claim rightful separation benefits. We will provide legal support and labour liaisons through POLO-OWWA arm to ensure agreements with foreign employers are kept and honoured. - We will establish a Roadmap on Workforce Engagement focusing on two tracks: (1) local employment and (2) local enterprise building. This roadmap shall become a reintegration plan for OFWs who wish to return to the country. This will be in support of the enhanced reintegration services by DOLE, accessible through the regional offices. F. CORRUPT AIRPORT OFFICIALS AND STAFF: - We will suspend erring officials and, if after due process they are proven to have illegally engaged in extension schemes, then we will immediately terminate them and enforce necessary legal punishments. - We will also create a reporting hotline specifically for OFWs and their kin which should be their first and main go-to system if they know they are engaging with or have encountered corrupt airport officials and staff. - We will intensify surveillance and monitoring systems, and create third-party councils to objectively and swiftly litigate cases raised against corrupt officials. G. IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES: - We stand by two positions on Balikbayan boxes: (1) BoC or any agency will not 'physically open' the Balikbayan Boxes for inspection, and (2) There will be no additional taxes and duties imposed. - We will observe the existing legal parameters set in Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, which states Balikbayans/OFWs are entitled to Duty and Tax Free Privileges. - We will support passage of the current bill filed by Senator Ralph Recto, Senate Bill No or the Balikbayan Box Law, proposing to raise the non-taxable value of contents for Balikbayan Boxes to P150, To resolve revenue losses form smuggling, we will refocus the efforts of BoC to big smugglers and not on intrusive "selective opening" of boxes. We will invest more on technological maintenance and upgrading of X-ray scanners which should eliminate manual inspection - from small boxes to 40-by-20 feet shipping containers. H. BROKEN FAMILIES/CHILDREN INABILITY TO FINISH STUDIES: - Ultimately, we should to build an economy where Filipinos will not have to leave their families in for better opportunities. But we should continue to support the families of OFWs in the meantime. - We will create a streamlined system of government support services for OFWs. These should be available through the Social Development and Welfare Assistance Centers for OFW families proposed through House Bill We will expand the educational scholarships for OFW dependents (or the OFWDSP), through DepEd and OWWA. We will also include the children of OFWs in the beneficiary-targeting system of the new UNIFAST Law. - We recognize that the government cannot do this alone - therefore we will engage the private sector and civil society to address challenges brought about by familial separation for economic betterment. Page 2 of 3

13 1. NAME Grace Poe 6. NICKNAME: Grace I. TERRITORIAL CLAIM OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: - We will stand by our territorial claims and pursue fair arbitration of our case in the international court. - While it is important to establish our territories, we will continue to build economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties to preserve and promote the welfare of our nationals in labor-receiving countries. - We will also adhere with the labour policies promulgated through the ASEAN integration, promoting a 'freer' flow of skilled labour, establishing a highly competitive single market. J. ESTABLISHMENT OF AND PROVIDING BUDGET FOR MIGRANT AND OVERSEAS RESOURCE CENTER: - We support the establishment of more resource centers for our OFWs. This is aligned with our thrust to bring services closer to Filipinos abroad. - We will invest on establishing more resource centers for both our land-based and sea-based OFWs. - We will ensure that our OFWs are fully aware of and engaged with services available to them. We will intensify information campaign by working closely with OFW communities and empowering our Labour Attaches to better understand the needs of the Filipinos abroad. Page 3 of 3

14 1. NAME Manuel A. Roxas 6. NICKNAME: Mar 3. POLITICAL PARTY Liberal Party 4. DATE OF BIRTH May 13, PLACE OF BIRTH: Manila 5 SEX Male Female 8. NAME OF SPOUSE: Korina Sanchez-Roxas II. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUSIVE DATES OF 9. LEVEL NAME OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE From To SCHOLARSHIP/ ACADEMIC HONORS RECEIVED ELEMENTARY SECONDARY COLLEGE Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo de Manila University Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania GRADUATE STUDIES III. A. ACTION PLANS/PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT ON ISSUES CONFRONTING THE OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ( ENUMERATE AT LEAST ONE TO THREE ACTIONS/PLANS AND NOT MORE THAN 150 WORDS PER SUBJECT) ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT: This has always been a practice I have condemned. Those who participate in illegal recruitment want nothing more than to prey on Filipinos who have a desire to earn more for by going abroad. Prevention of illegal recruitment can more effectively take place on the local level. LGUs will be allocated sufficient funds in order to establish OFW Resource Centers in their respective communities. These resource centers will be tasked with providing up-todate information on government-accredited recruitment agencies and policies on overseas employment, among others. Knowledge will be a strong factor in keeping more of our countrymen from falling for illegal recruitment schemes. There will be strict implementation of RA particularly in the immediate conviction of illegal recruiters and greater penalties. Increasing durations of imprisonment and imposing higher fines will send a strong message: we are serious in the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking. B. HIGH PLACEMENT FEE: The Aquino administration has already begun measures to abolish, or redice, high placement fees for OFWs --- we will continue and expand these efforts further. Negotiations will be undertaken with receiving countries in order to lower or waive placement fees; the fact that Filipino workers are in such high demand abroad will contribute for this. In New Zealand, for example, placement fees are no longer required. While these efforts are ongoing, a proposal will be crafted, and eventually negotiated in order to establish the segmented payment of placement fees --- allowing Filipinos to work immediately, without the delay of being caught in placement fee liabilities. We want decent livelihoods for all our countrymen, whether in or out of the Philippines; factors like high placement fees should not be a deterrent to their dreams and ambitions. Page 1 of 3

15 1. NAME Manuel A. Roxas 6. NICKNAME: Mar C. INABILITY TO SAVE MONEY: Under the Aquino administration, a number of programs, like the CCT, already offer seminars in financial literacy, to help Filipinos manage their resources well. This should penetrate all other relevant programs, including those for OFWs, especially given the fact that there are so many stories of Filipinos unable to save their money. The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars that touch on financial literacy should be strengthened; resources for learning should likewise be made available in destination countries, whenever possible, for there to be continuity. An inter-agency committee composed of POEA, DOLE, OWWA, and DFA will be instituted and tasked within determining immediate, shortterm, and long-term actions to empower our OFWs to manage their finances. Financial literacy has never been about money alone; this is about the confidence and the knowledge that our countrymen are in control of their futures. D. EMPLOYER ABUSE: - Government should be able to provide speedy legal assistance for OFWs, especially those who are in conflict with the law in other countries. Especially in cases where repatriation of the OFW; one back home, we should be able to provide full assistance on social reintegration, medical, and psychological needs of the OFW. Constant updating of skills and further professionalization of our foreign service corps to make them even more responsive to OFW's needs must be undertaken. E. RISK OF MASS LAY-OFF IN CASE OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL: Government should be able to ensure full assistance as repatriation ensues, and provide for adequate institutional support for OFW social reintegration programs. At the bottom line is the economy's ability to generate jobs: This is rooted upon structural reforms that address deterrents to investment: Corruption, lack of adequate infrastructure, and a cumbersome system that disincetivizes enterpreneurship. We remain committed to our core philosophy: Working abroad should be a choice for the Filipino --- it should not be borne of desperation and the lack of opportunity back home. As such, any layoffs must not be met as merely a crisis, but an opportunity to inject new lifeblood into our workforce. F. CORRUPT AIRPORT OFFICIALS AND STAFF: An allegation must be thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty mut be immediately convicted. Syndicates that prey on travellers --- on tourists, and worse, on OFWs --- have no place in the civil service. Meritocracy should be the bedrock of government system. Regardless of whether allegations surface or not, yearly performance assessments and evaluation of airport officials and staff must be undertaken. Integrity, knowledge, and a true desire to serve will be the foremost criteria in the selection and appointment or hiring of public servants --- from the highest levels of office down to the most basic units of the bureaucracy. G. IMPOSITION OF TAXES AND CUSTOM DUTIES ON BALIKBAYAN BOXES: The Balikbayan box represents the OFW's hard work on behalf of his or her family, and any measure that might represent an additional burden on their part should be scrutinized and amended. For this reason, we also aim to remove the 0.15% documentary stamp tax on OFW remittances, thus exempting all money transfers to the Philippines made by OFWs who are duly registered with the POEA, while setting aside collections to provide legal support to protect OFWs, especially for those imprisoned or facing case abroad. This goes hand in hand with the sustained protection of the balikbayan box via inspection --- this involves the review on the existing jurisdiction on the memorandum circular on balikbayan boxes, the immediate assessment of the BOC officials who conduct the physical inspection, and the reevaluation of standards for custom inspection. Page 2 of 3

16 1. NAME Manuel A. Roxas 6. NICKNAME: Mar H. BROKEN FAMILIES/CHILDREN INABILITY TO FINISH STUDIES: While OFWs are our heroes, we aspire that, one day, our people will no longer have to seek work outside, and that employment overseas will a choice rather than a necessity. I believe that this can be done through the further stimulation of the economy, by enticing more investments that bring in jobs. We have seen this with the rise of our business process outsourcing sector, over the years of the Daang Matuwid, we also seeing the broad spectrum of industry offer new opportunities to our countrymen. We shall sustain this by 1) providing affordable and easy access to communication between families and OFWs, in the period that they are overseas; 2) improving the delivery of services by OWWA to member-ofws and their dependents, especially in the areas of education and trainings; and 3) focusing on ensuring that the five basic necessities (food, shelter, education, health, and security) is extended to each Filipino family. This can be done through an Ecpanded Bottom Up Budgeting System where projects as regards these services are funded on the basis of a barangay's population, and are decided upon at the barangay level. I. TERRITORIAL CLAIM OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA: It is important to maintain our claim that the West Philippine Sea is ours, and thus we must defend and protect it. We will continue to pursue through peaceful and diplomatic means. In advancing our territorial claims, we will abide by the rule of law (UNCLOS), and should see our arbitration case to its final conclusion. We will also enhance the capability of our military and navy forces in protecting national territorial integrity and territorial sovereignty by strengthening our engagement with our strategic partners and others in the region, and the world, who adhere to the principles of the rule of law and a stable harmony among the community of nations. J. ESTABLISHMENT OF AND PROVIDING BUDGET FOR MIGRANT AND OVERSEAS RESOURCE CENTER: Government should be able to be there for our Filipinos, whether here or abroad. To ensure this, overseas labor centers should be supported further by providing them with ample budget, appropriated according to the number of OFWs working at the specific country. Seeing that there are OFW's in almost every community across the country, local governments must be tapped to provide current information, and lists of government accredited agencies and policies regarding overseas employment. Page 3 of 3