Greetings.

I am Joey de Venecia III and I am running for Senator in the May 2010 elections.

While the general public knows me for being the whistleblower of the ZTE-national broadband network scandal, you may know me as a businessman and member of the Makati Business Club.

I am running for Senator for a number of reasons, the most important of which is my economic agenda which I believe will make the Philippines more competitive in the global business market.

I am also concerned that graft and corruption has become institutionalized in our government. I disagree with those who say that this is a fact of life that we should live with. Graft and corruption can be eliminated, or at least minimized, if we put our collective wills in doing so.

MY AGENDA:

Economic

On Information Technology (IT) — The Philippines can and should be a world leader in the IT industry. We have the skilled manpower to do so. While call centers will remain a growth sector, we can still develop other areas, notably other high-value backroom operations. Our education system should be geared towards IT, starting at the secondary level.

Cell phone penetration should reach close to 100 percent of the population with the three major telcos providing free phones to people who do not yet have phones.

On taxation – No new taxes. The country has more than enough taxes but has always had a problem with collection.

The sole exception will be a carbon tax whereby carbon-emitting plants, factories and vehicles which do not meet the strictest environmental standards will be taxed.

On property – Ownership of public and private lands is problematic. In countless cases, there are multiple claimants to lands, both private and public. I propose that with the use of information technology in recording all titles and documents related thereto, ownerships can be settled with finality.

We cannot invite more foreign and local investors to pump in funds for long-term capital and labor-intensive businesses unless this is settled.

On use of indigenous people’s lands – Vast tracts are unused. These are mostly prime agricultural lands. To raise the IPs from their poverty, these vast lands should be opened to developers in partnership with native Filipinos.

On foreign ownership of business – The 60-40 Rule covering the telecom industry should be relaxed. Foreigners should be allowed to own more than 40 percent. This will allow the most modern technologies to come in.

On foreign ownership of land – Long-term leases should be allowed for foreign investors. Royalty arrangements should likewise be made to make the country more enticing. At the very least, the economic interests of foreigners should be protected. The playing field between Filipinos and foreigners must be levelled.

On agriculture – The Philippines should rethink its position vis-à-vis membership in the World Trade Organization. If a country like Japan is allowed to protect its farmers and auto manufacturers, there is no reason why the Philippines cannot do the same for its fishermen and farmers. I propose to ban imports of all basic commodities. At the same time, I would like to see the world’s biggest agri firms enter the Philippines as investors and developers.

On nuclear power – I am in favor of putting up nuclear power plants in the country since nuclear power is cheap, clean and inexpensive. Nuclear power is widely used in Europe and the US. I propose the dismantling of the Bataan nuclear plant, to be relocated and operated elsewhere.

On power – The country should lessen its dependence of imported oil. The government should grant incentives to companies which use clean fuel. Development of geothermal, wind and solar power plants must be prioritized.

Energy crops should be produced in new plantations rather than replacing existing food crops.

Socio-political

On non-implementation of laws – I propose to criminalize the non-implementation of existing laws. Public officials who cannot or will not implement specific laws affecting their offices should be punished to the full extent of the law.

On education – I propose to increase the budget for education to six percent of GDP , much like Singapore . At present, it is at a meager one half of one percent. I want to see more ladderized post-high school level education, where working students can go for one year diplomas leading to 2-yr associate degrees, leading to 4-yr bachelor’s degrees.

On charter change – I prefer a constitutional convention to review the charter with elections for delegates to be held in tandem with the barangay elections of 2010, but only if an independent body has determined that the charter must be changed at this time.

On the legislature – We must put a stop to the constant gridlock between the two houses of Congress. Working processes must be streamlined for greater coordination between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Proposed bills should be acted on within two weeks.

On health care – I would like to see a reevaluation of the Generics Law. The lobby of the multinational drug companies remains strong. The MNCs must not be allowed to weaken the law, but should still be allowed to bring in or manufacture drugs that local companies cannot.

Every Filipino citizen must be covered by a universal health care plan. Private sector health plans can be supplementary to a government provided universal plan, providing additional benefits while splitting the cost.

On pork barrel allocations – Instead of a lump sum allocation, these should be line budget items. Each senator, congressman and local government official must submit their pork barrel funded projects for approval.

On restructuring the executive level – I would like to see the Department of Transportation and Communications split into two separate and distinct entities. I want to see a Department of Information Technology and a Department of Communications that will help propel the Philippine IT industry to world-class level.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources must also be split into two separate entities, with a new Department of Environmental Services addressing the global issue of climate change. As a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, the Philippines must do its part in preserving the environment. Laws relating thereto should be properly funded and implemented.

The Department of Natural Resources will be tasked to reverse the loss of forest cover with a massive reforestation program that will have strict targets for all provinces.

I would like to see a professionalized bureaucracy totally shielded from partisan politics.

On automatic debt payments – I want to see the end of automatic debt appropriations in the national budget. I would like to see the Philippines take full advantage of the US Jubilee Act of 2008 which will allow us to write off debts, especially for projects mired in graft.

CONCLUSION

I am running for senator because I want to minimize if not eradicate graft.

I would like to see IT create millions of new jobs resulting in dramatic double digit growth in GNP.

I am running because I seek long-term sustainable economic development based on fresh foreign and local investments.

I am running because I want to see a Senate filled with serious lawmakers crafting laws that will help lift the Philippines out of its Third World status.

I am running because I think I can win. Surveys taken by the Social Weather Stations, Pulse Asia and StratPoll have shown me steadily moving up, from number 18 in June, to number 11 in the October and November surveys. I am, therefore, asking for your help. Help me and the business community which we both represent have a voice in the Philippine Senate.

Thank you.
Joey De Venecia III