Bro. Eddie Villanueva on Thursday urged Malacañang to prepare measures that will ensure the protection of Filipinos living and working in Malaysia, in anticipation of a possible tightening of immigration and employment rules there.
Villanueva said Philippine authorities should be pro-active and should already be prepared to provide assistance to Filipinos in Malaysia, many of whom are fearing possible harassment, layoffs, and even deportation, should the Malaysian government tighten its regulations following the standoff in Sabah.
He said the Philippine embassy and overseas labor office in Malaysia should beef up their readiness to provide advisory services, legal and logistical assistance to Filipinos who may be affected by a possible tightening of such rules.
“With the occupation of a village in Lahad Datu by a group of Filipinos claiming ownership of Sabah, the possibility of the Malaysian government cracking down on Filipinos, especially those who lack the necessary travel and working documents not only in Sabah but throughout Malaysia cannot be discounted,” Villanueva said.
“The DFA should anticipate this possible eventuality and prepare to provide advisory services, as well as legal and logistical assistance to our fellow Filipinos living and working there.”
In particular, both the Foreign Affairs and Labor departments should deploy more officials and personnel to Malaysia to increase their respective capacities to accommodate requests for assistance and complaints from Filipinos there.
Back home, Villanueva said the government should create jobs and provide investment support and livelihood opportunities to help integrate returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) into mainstream society.
Vulnerability of government policy
“The fear of many Filipinos now living and working in Malaysia that they will lose their jobs or will be sent home only shows the vulnerability of having a government policy that encourages and trains our workforce to find work abroad,” Villanueva said.
“This situation only highlights the need for the government to not only undertake programs that will ensure that the basic rights of our OFWs are protected but, more importantly, to remove the necessity for Filipinos to leave home in search for good-paying jobs.”
Villanueva, whose senatorial campaign is centered on championing the causes of the “sagigilid” or the marginalized sectors in society which includes Filipino professionals and workers who are forced to leave their families to find work abroad, said the filing of legislation that will institute mechanisms that will serve to protect Filipinos from threats of abuse and violence while working abroad, programs that will prepare the local environment for the eventual return of OFWs to the country.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Bro. Eddie Hits DSWD Chief Over Treatment of Typhoon Pablo Victims
Bro. Eddie on Wednesday criticized the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its failure to quickly and efficiently distribute relief goods to communities hit by Typhoon Pablo that led a group of typhoon victims to barge into and cart away sacks of relief goods, rice and noodles from a social welfare office in Davao.
Villanueva said instead of threatening to press legal charges against Typhoon Pablo victims and their leaders, DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman should examine the department’s distribution chain to determine the cause of delays in the distribution of goods to affected communities.
He said that while he does not condone the manner by which the group of typhoon victims took relief goods from the DSWD office, Villanueva said that the desperation behind the group’s action showed a deep discontent at the failure of the government to help alleviate their plight especially after the storm ravaged their communities.
“We should understand that these typhoon victims may have lost loved ones, their homes, and their sources of livelihood because of the typhoon. Many of them have been getting by for months with very little food for themselves and for their families because of the failure ofthe DSWD to perform its mandate and provide relief to these people,” Villanueva said.
“Given the relative comforts that she enjoys, Sec. Soliman should take the higher moral ground and not act impulsively on this matter. Instead, she should take a serious look at why her department is failing in its mandate for these typhoon victims.
”Villanueva said he found “unbelievable” Sec. Soliman’s pronouncement that the distribution of relief goods to Typhoon Pablo victims was delayed due to a local non-government organization’s failure to provide the DSWD a list of specific areas where relief efforts should be conducted.
“I could not understand DSWD’s excuse that the distribution of relief goods to Typhoon Pablo victims has been delayed over some problems with a local organization in the listing of areas where relief efforts should be conducted… More than two months have passed since the typhoon hit and the government is still sitting down waiting for a list,” Villanueva said.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Make A Unilateral Declaration Of Peace
“Its time for peace. Lets work for peace,” is how Bro. Eddie Villanueva wants the 27th year of EDSA remembered. “EDSA is our cornerstone as a nation, let it be our inspiration to work for long lasting peace,” stated Villanueva. Villanueva is the lone candidate of Bangon Pilipinas in the Senate for May 2013. He calls on the Aquino government to unilaterally declare peace with the National Democratic Front (NDF) instead of again pursuing talks with them. “Let us be peace activists, it is high time government makes a unilateral declaration and end decades of strife,” added Villanueva.
“Nobody should be jailed because of communist ideas. Let them have it but certainly when anyone commits illegal acts such as killing, extorting, arson and others, they should be dealt with by the arm of the law,” pointed Villanueva.
Villanueva further elaborated that “in this 21st Century, we should adjust to its paradigms. Peace is the only way to go. We improve the marginalized provinces and communities if there is peace and we bring in investors because there is peace. With investors come jobs and with jobs, we give every Filipino the wherewithal to have a decent home, three nutritious meals and capability to send their kids to school. A unilateral declaration is the only way to go.”
Villanueva was jailed twice during the Martial law years as a student activist. He became a televangelist while pursuing a land grabbing syndicate in Bulacan in the 70s. Villanueva’s sagigilid platform seeks to empower and engaged the marginalized Filipinos and ensure that the growth the country is experiencing will be felt at the countryside.
President Benigno Aquino III has stated that his government is keen on resuming peace talks with the communist rebels. Norway has been brokering negotiations between the Philippines and communist rebels.
“Nobody should be jailed because of communist ideas. Let them have it but certainly when anyone commits illegal acts such as killing, extorting, arson and others, they should be dealt with by the arm of the law,” pointed Villanueva.
Villanueva further elaborated that “in this 21st Century, we should adjust to its paradigms. Peace is the only way to go. We improve the marginalized provinces and communities if there is peace and we bring in investors because there is peace. With investors come jobs and with jobs, we give every Filipino the wherewithal to have a decent home, three nutritious meals and capability to send their kids to school. A unilateral declaration is the only way to go.”
Villanueva was jailed twice during the Martial law years as a student activist. He became a televangelist while pursuing a land grabbing syndicate in Bulacan in the 70s. Villanueva’s sagigilid platform seeks to empower and engaged the marginalized Filipinos and ensure that the growth the country is experiencing will be felt at the countryside.
President Benigno Aquino III has stated that his government is keen on resuming peace talks with the communist rebels. Norway has been brokering negotiations between the Philippines and communist rebels.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Bro. Eddie Leads Ecumenical Prayer for Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections
Living up to his pledge to act as peacemaker, Bro. Eddie Villanueva on Monday, February 18, spearheaded an ecumenical prayer for honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE).
Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda of the United Nationalist Alliance and Senator Allan Peter Cayetano of the Liberal Party Coalition attended the event.
Villanueva, who is running for the Senate under the Bangon Pilipinas party, urged everyone running for a position in the May elections to momentarily set aside political differences and unite for a common cause: HOPE.
Participants of the event were urged to abide by and push for the implementation of the HOPE Manifesto which was read during the event at Club Filipino in San Juan City.
“It’s important to show the public that we are all committed in safeguarding the elections from any possible fraud,” Villanueva said. “Having HOPE will help bring back the faith of Filipinos in our electoral system, and ensure that the true voice of the people is heard.
”Representatives of various faith groups such as Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Baptist Group, Fourth Watch, Interfaith Global, Seventh Day Adventist and Islam said a prayer for HOPE during the event.
Villanueva, founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement, launched his campaign for a Senate seat in his home province of Bulacan on February 12 as he vowed to be the voice of the “*sagigilid*”.
Villanueva uses “*sagigilid*” to collectively describe modern-day marginalized Filipinos that include farmers and fisherfolks forced to live in debt because they cannot earn enough to live a decent life, professionals doing menial work overseas to earn a living for their family,and poor families living in inhospitable areas in the margins of cities.
During a kick off rally at the Bulacan Capitol gymnasium, the 66-year-old Bocaue native urged his fellow Bulakeños and the rest of the country to support his platform centered on 3Es – Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang – which focuses on the importance of inclusive growth, especially for the “*sagigilid*”.
Villanueva, when he filed his candidacy in December 2012, vowed to act as peacemaker in the Senate should he win. He said he will persuade disagreeing senators to set aside their differences and unite so the chamber can hasten the legislation of laws urgently needed to further the country’s development.
“Right now, we see how differences in opinion have delayed so many crucial laws. It is sad how some issues have been focused on petty quarrels instead of exercising magnanimity for the sake of the greater good of our people, especially the *sagigilid*,” Villanueva said.
Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda of the United Nationalist Alliance and Senator Allan Peter Cayetano of the Liberal Party Coalition attended the event.
Villanueva, who is running for the Senate under the Bangon Pilipinas party, urged everyone running for a position in the May elections to momentarily set aside political differences and unite for a common cause: HOPE.
Participants of the event were urged to abide by and push for the implementation of the HOPE Manifesto which was read during the event at Club Filipino in San Juan City.
“It’s important to show the public that we are all committed in safeguarding the elections from any possible fraud,” Villanueva said. “Having HOPE will help bring back the faith of Filipinos in our electoral system, and ensure that the true voice of the people is heard.
”Representatives of various faith groups such as Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, Baptist Group, Fourth Watch, Interfaith Global, Seventh Day Adventist and Islam said a prayer for HOPE during the event.
Villanueva, founder of the Jesus Is Lord Movement, launched his campaign for a Senate seat in his home province of Bulacan on February 12 as he vowed to be the voice of the “*sagigilid*”.
Villanueva uses “*sagigilid*” to collectively describe modern-day marginalized Filipinos that include farmers and fisherfolks forced to live in debt because they cannot earn enough to live a decent life, professionals doing menial work overseas to earn a living for their family,and poor families living in inhospitable areas in the margins of cities.
During a kick off rally at the Bulacan Capitol gymnasium, the 66-year-old Bocaue native urged his fellow Bulakeños and the rest of the country to support his platform centered on 3Es – Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang – which focuses on the importance of inclusive growth, especially for the “*sagigilid*”.
Villanueva, when he filed his candidacy in December 2012, vowed to act as peacemaker in the Senate should he win. He said he will persuade disagreeing senators to set aside their differences and unite so the chamber can hasten the legislation of laws urgently needed to further the country’s development.
“Right now, we see how differences in opinion have delayed so many crucial laws. It is sad how some issues have been focused on petty quarrels instead of exercising magnanimity for the sake of the greater good of our people, especially the *sagigilid*,” Villanueva said.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Campaign Launch in Bulacan and OnLine
In what appears to be a conscious effort of Bulakeños to carry their kababayan in the May elections, Bangon Pilipinas candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva is set to launch his Senate bid in the historical grounds of Malolos, Bulacan with various local public leaders – crossing party lines – set to attend the event.
"These leaders may be from opposing camps but all of us our tied by our love for Bulacan. They stand ten feet tall in solidarity to support my attempt to capture a seat in the Senate. The future of Bulacan is beyond politics," Bro. Eddie said.Carrying the agenda of Bulacan in the Senate, Bro. Eddie's main platform has been summarized in his popular 3Es: Ekonomiyang agresibo't walang napag-iiwanan; Edukasyon na napapanahon; Entrepinoy na masang Pilipino ang nagunguna at nakikinabang.
Villanueva has developed a full platform to address other major issues relating to the politics of the fringes. In various media fora, he has discussed the need to focus on the “sagigilid” or fringes. Sagigilid refers to the marginalized provinces and municipalities as well as the marginalized sectors in the country."Our economy is growing because of ‘tuwid na daan’, but let us ensure there is no Filipino left behind," noted Villanueva.
Villanueva also noted the importance of moral leadership in politics. “We need moral leadership. The bedrock of good economics is good politics."The Malolos kick off will be streamed live so that the various groups supporting Villanueva can join and watch the activities. Other supporters in key cities, including Baguio, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, will also conduct their respective kick-off events.
Online Kick Off
Aside from launching his campaign in Bulacan, Villanueva is also set to do an online kick off on February 12, from 7pm to 9 pm, under his Ask Bro. Eddie event teaser.
Ask Bro. Eddie is an online event where Villanueva and his youth volunteers will be on deck to answer questions from netizens. Those interested to join can log on at: www.broeddie.ph/askme.
Villanueva said the online Q&A event was conceptualized by his youth volunteers who are helping him spread the word about his platform and advocacies.
"If I will be successful in this run, we will need the support of the youth,” Bro. Eddie said. “We cannot start planting the seeds of transformative politics without the youth."
12 February 2013
Bro. Eddie launches campaign, vows to carry Bulacan agenda and politics of fringes in Senate
Launching his campaign for a Senate seat in the upcoming elections, Bro. Eddie Villanueva rallied his fellow Bulaqueños to throw their support behind his platform centered on inclusive growth that will benefit the country’s underserved, under-represented, and poor sectors.
During a kick-off rally held in his home province of Bulacan, Villanueva unveiled the 3Es: Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, sa Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at sa Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang – which he said represents a full political platform developed to address other major issues relating to the country’s “sagigilid”.
Villanueva used “sagigilid” to refer to the marginalized provinces and municipalities, as well the marginalized sectors in the country.“Ngayong umaga, napag-buklod-buklod at napag-tipon natin ang lahat na naniniwala sa ating laban upang itaguyod ang tunay esensiya ng kaunlaran: kaunlaran na kasama ang lahat, lalo na ang mga sagigilid,” Villanueva said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng ating mga programa para sa Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, sa Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at sa Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang ay sama-sama nating matatamasa ang kaginhawaan... Buong pagpapakumbaba kong hinihingi ang inyong tulong sa laban na ito. Walang iwanan sa umaangat na bayan.
”Villanueva’s campaign launch gathered present and former political leaders in Bulacan – including opposing political figures – who signed a manifesto of support for Villanueva’s candidacy in an unprecedented display of unity in the province.
Villanueva – son of Olympian and a decorated World War II officer Joaquin Villanueva and Maria Cruz, a local beautician – was born and raised in Bocaue, Bulacan. His wife Adoracion "Dory" Jose also hails from the same town.
The event was streamed live to allow Villanueva’s supporters in Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to join and watch the activities. An online campaign kick-off was also scheduled later in the day.
If elected to the Senate, Villanueva committed to serve as the voice of the “sagigilid” and will continue to carry the Bulacan agenda to ensure that the country’s marginalized sectors and Bulacan as a province will not be left out of the country’s economic achievements.This, as he underscored the need for the country to work as a team and set its sights on larger, longer-term national goals.
“Bukod sa pagiging boses ng mga sagigilid, tayo ang tatayong boses ng ating dakilang lalawigan sa Senado. Kung palarin tayong makapasok sa Senado ay maluwang ang ating pinto para ipaglaban ang interes ng Bulakenyo,” Villanueva said.
“Sa ating mahal na lalawigan, sabay-sabay tayong uunlad. Ika-kampyon natin ang interes ng bawat barangay, bayan, at siyudad ng ating mahal na lalawigan upang lalong mapaunlad ang buhay ng bawat isang Bulakenyo. Isusulong natin ang interes ng ating mahal na lalawigan, na sa pag-unlad ng buong bansa ay hindi tayo naiiwan. Sabay-sabay tayong aangat.
”Villanueva is vying for a Senate seat under the Bangon Pilipinas Party.
"These leaders may be from opposing camps but all of us our tied by our love for Bulacan. They stand ten feet tall in solidarity to support my attempt to capture a seat in the Senate. The future of Bulacan is beyond politics," Bro. Eddie said.Carrying the agenda of Bulacan in the Senate, Bro. Eddie's main platform has been summarized in his popular 3Es: Ekonomiyang agresibo't walang napag-iiwanan; Edukasyon na napapanahon; Entrepinoy na masang Pilipino ang nagunguna at nakikinabang.
Villanueva has developed a full platform to address other major issues relating to the politics of the fringes. In various media fora, he has discussed the need to focus on the “sagigilid” or fringes. Sagigilid refers to the marginalized provinces and municipalities as well as the marginalized sectors in the country."Our economy is growing because of ‘tuwid na daan’, but let us ensure there is no Filipino left behind," noted Villanueva.
Villanueva also noted the importance of moral leadership in politics. “We need moral leadership. The bedrock of good economics is good politics."The Malolos kick off will be streamed live so that the various groups supporting Villanueva can join and watch the activities. Other supporters in key cities, including Baguio, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, will also conduct their respective kick-off events.
Online Kick Off
Aside from launching his campaign in Bulacan, Villanueva is also set to do an online kick off on February 12, from 7pm to 9 pm, under his Ask Bro. Eddie event teaser.
Ask Bro. Eddie is an online event where Villanueva and his youth volunteers will be on deck to answer questions from netizens. Those interested to join can log on at: www.broeddie.ph/askme.
Villanueva said the online Q&A event was conceptualized by his youth volunteers who are helping him spread the word about his platform and advocacies.
"If I will be successful in this run, we will need the support of the youth,” Bro. Eddie said. “We cannot start planting the seeds of transformative politics without the youth."
12 February 2013
Bro. Eddie launches campaign, vows to carry Bulacan agenda and politics of fringes in Senate
Launching his campaign for a Senate seat in the upcoming elections, Bro. Eddie Villanueva rallied his fellow Bulaqueños to throw their support behind his platform centered on inclusive growth that will benefit the country’s underserved, under-represented, and poor sectors.
During a kick-off rally held in his home province of Bulacan, Villanueva unveiled the 3Es: Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, sa Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at sa Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang – which he said represents a full political platform developed to address other major issues relating to the country’s “sagigilid”.
Villanueva used “sagigilid” to refer to the marginalized provinces and municipalities, as well the marginalized sectors in the country.“Ngayong umaga, napag-buklod-buklod at napag-tipon natin ang lahat na naniniwala sa ating laban upang itaguyod ang tunay esensiya ng kaunlaran: kaunlaran na kasama ang lahat, lalo na ang mga sagigilid,” Villanueva said.
“Sa pamamagitan ng ating mga programa para sa Ekonomiyang Agresibo’t Walang Napag-iiwanan, sa Edukasyon na Napapanahon, at sa Entre-Pinoy na Masang Pilipino ang Nangunguna at Nakikinabang ay sama-sama nating matatamasa ang kaginhawaan... Buong pagpapakumbaba kong hinihingi ang inyong tulong sa laban na ito. Walang iwanan sa umaangat na bayan.
”Villanueva’s campaign launch gathered present and former political leaders in Bulacan – including opposing political figures – who signed a manifesto of support for Villanueva’s candidacy in an unprecedented display of unity in the province.
Villanueva – son of Olympian and a decorated World War II officer Joaquin Villanueva and Maria Cruz, a local beautician – was born and raised in Bocaue, Bulacan. His wife Adoracion "Dory" Jose also hails from the same town.
The event was streamed live to allow Villanueva’s supporters in Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to join and watch the activities. An online campaign kick-off was also scheduled later in the day.
If elected to the Senate, Villanueva committed to serve as the voice of the “sagigilid” and will continue to carry the Bulacan agenda to ensure that the country’s marginalized sectors and Bulacan as a province will not be left out of the country’s economic achievements.This, as he underscored the need for the country to work as a team and set its sights on larger, longer-term national goals.
“Bukod sa pagiging boses ng mga sagigilid, tayo ang tatayong boses ng ating dakilang lalawigan sa Senado. Kung palarin tayong makapasok sa Senado ay maluwang ang ating pinto para ipaglaban ang interes ng Bulakenyo,” Villanueva said.
“Sa ating mahal na lalawigan, sabay-sabay tayong uunlad. Ika-kampyon natin ang interes ng bawat barangay, bayan, at siyudad ng ating mahal na lalawigan upang lalong mapaunlad ang buhay ng bawat isang Bulakenyo. Isusulong natin ang interes ng ating mahal na lalawigan, na sa pag-unlad ng buong bansa ay hindi tayo naiiwan. Sabay-sabay tayong aangat.
”Villanueva is vying for a Senate seat under the Bangon Pilipinas Party.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Bro. Eddie Urges Government to Tap LGU's in Investment Planning
Bro. Eddie Villanueva on 5 February 2013 urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to involve local government units (LGUs) in national investment planning initiatives to build industries most suited for a particular province or region where resources are most available.
Villanueva said a “bottom-up strategy” will allow the government to tap into the LGUs’ knowledge base in terms of local assets, strengths, and opportunities to improve national investment planning.
“The government should adopt as its policy the complete involvement of the local government units in national investment planning to speed up the pace and spread out the coverage of economic development,” Villanueva said.
“This bottom-up approach to investment planning will also allow the government to tap into a rich database of knowledge resources that our LGUs posses.
”Villanueva’s pronouncement came in the heels of a week-long visit by an American trade mission to Manila from January 23-25 to promote greater trade and investment between the United States and the Philippines.
The American trade mission included representatives from the US Education Finance Group, Citigroup, Chevron, Coca Cola, and General Electric. Also, JP Morgan Chase, Procter & Gamble, Peregrine Development International, CV Starr & Co., McLarty & Associates, Federal Express and Spence & Co.
According to Villanueva, the involvement of LGUs in investment planning will allow DTI to identify new potential areas of growth and spread out development to the countryside.
As such, this approach has the potential of creating sustainable and thriving local industries that create jobs and related businesses, and help reverse labor migration to urban areas.
“Building industries in our regions and not only concentrating on urban areas is one way for government to achieve inclusive growth by way of evenly creating employment and business opportunities both in urban and rural areas,” Villanueva said.
“This is also a sustainable investment model that taps into the locally-available resources as well as the inherent strengths of our provinces and regions.”
Villanueva said a “bottom-up strategy” will allow the government to tap into the LGUs’ knowledge base in terms of local assets, strengths, and opportunities to improve national investment planning.
“The government should adopt as its policy the complete involvement of the local government units in national investment planning to speed up the pace and spread out the coverage of economic development,” Villanueva said.
“This bottom-up approach to investment planning will also allow the government to tap into a rich database of knowledge resources that our LGUs posses.
”Villanueva’s pronouncement came in the heels of a week-long visit by an American trade mission to Manila from January 23-25 to promote greater trade and investment between the United States and the Philippines.
The American trade mission included representatives from the US Education Finance Group, Citigroup, Chevron, Coca Cola, and General Electric. Also, JP Morgan Chase, Procter & Gamble, Peregrine Development International, CV Starr & Co., McLarty & Associates, Federal Express and Spence & Co.
According to Villanueva, the involvement of LGUs in investment planning will allow DTI to identify new potential areas of growth and spread out development to the countryside.
As such, this approach has the potential of creating sustainable and thriving local industries that create jobs and related businesses, and help reverse labor migration to urban areas.
“Building industries in our regions and not only concentrating on urban areas is one way for government to achieve inclusive growth by way of evenly creating employment and business opportunities both in urban and rural areas,” Villanueva said.
“This is also a sustainable investment model that taps into the locally-available resources as well as the inherent strengths of our provinces and regions.”
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